BBC-SB-REVIEW-1-scaled.jpg” alt=”” width=”1808″ height=”2560″ />PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
DEFENSIVE PLAY … Pettisville pitcher Macy Hoylman fields the ball before making a throw to first for the out.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Hilltop Cadets return a strong contingent as they look to reclaim the top spot in the Buckeye Border Conference.
Hilltop made another trip to the regionals last year but were denied a 12th straight BBC title by Montpelier, who also made a run to the regionals.
The Locos must replace plenty of talent and leadership from last year’s team while Pettisville returns a strong group as they look to challenge for the BBC title.
Below are the team-by-team previews for this season in order of last season’s league standings.
1. Montpelier
HEAD COACH: Andy Robinson (sixth season, 66-43 coaching record)
2025 RECORD: 18-6 overall, 7-0 BBC champions; (lost in Division VI regional semifinal)
LETTERWINNERS LOST: Kelsi Bumb, Madelyn Hopper, Lyla Mahan, Jada Uribes, Katy Terry
LETTERWINNERS RETURNING: Bella Ramos (senior, second base, .257 average, 18 hits, 14 RBIs), Zoe Uribes (senior, outfield, .306 average, 19 hits, 19 RBIs), Shelby Terry (senior, outfield), Maggie Jacob (junior, shortstop, .305 average, 18 hits, 29 runs), Neriah Thorp (junior, pitcher/utility, .263 average), Henna Beck (junior, third base, .329 average, 19 runs, 18 RBIs), Lillian Mahan (junior, catcher/designated player), Morgan Bechtol (sophomore, catcher), Rowan Brown (sophomore, utility)
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Alyvia Repp (sophomore, first base), Cianna Shoup (freshman, pitcher)
COACHES OUTLOOK: “Although we lost a lot of experience, leadership and talent from the last few years, our hope is that those that remain off last year’s team and our younger girls, saw what it has taken to be successful and can apply that in the 2026 team.
“Our program will go through some growing pains as we fit new pieces in lots of different positions early in the year, but I expect to see us grow more comfortable as the season moves along.
“We want to be playing our best ball in the second half of the season and come tournament time.
“The conference favorite should move back to Hilltop, as they return a core group including the best player in the conference in Halle Jones and a strong pitcher Kelsy Connolly.
“Edon returns almost its entire team, so I’d expect them to have a good year, and Pettisville also brings back a good core of girls and should compete towards the top of the conference.
“Our standards will not change, and we expect to compete for a conference title year in and year out. We know what it takes to win the conference and must be focused and give great effort on a nightly basis.”
2. Hilltop
HEAD COACH: Tom Schaper (13th season, 252-98 coaching record)
2025 RECORD: 26-4, 6-1 BBC; (Lost in Div. VII regional semifinal to Mohawk)
LETTERWINNERS LOST: Giada Rising, Sophie Graham, Eleana VanArsdalen, Libbie Baker
LETTERWINNERS RETURNING: Isabella Ackley (senior, third base/outfield/designated player, .333 average, 21 hits, 19 RBIs), Brooklyn Kuszmaul (senior, third base/second base, BBC honorable mention, .367 average, 29 hits, 19 RBIs, 4 home runs), Kenley Routt (senior, catcher, BBC second team, Northwest District first team, .419 average, 44 hits, 28 RBIs, 50 runs, 18 stolen bases), Kelsy Connolly (junior, pitcher/shortstop/outfield, All-Ohio, BBC and Northwest District first team, .461 average, 47 hits, 51 RBIs, 13 doubles, 39 runs, 7 home runs, 12-3 pitching record, 1.30 ERA, 135 strikeouts), Halle Jones (junior, shortstop/pitcher, All-Ohio, BBC and Northwest District first team, .539 average, 62 hits, 43 RBIs, 51 runs, 37 stolen bases), Sophia Crossgrove (junior, outfield/catcher, BBC second team, .393 average, 35 hits, 40 RBIs, 33 runs, 5 home runs), Maggie Altman (junior, first base/outfield, .476 average, 20 hits, 15 RBIs, 18 runs)
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Addi Smith (sophomore, pitcher/utility), Grace Serrano (sophomore, outfield), Cadi Waters (sophomore, second base), Carlee Schaffner (freshman, outfield)
COACHES OUTLOOK: “Experience should be a strength for us again this year as we return seven letterwinners from last year’s district championship squad.
“Though we lost four quality seniors, including four-year lefty starting pitcher Giada Rising, we return Kelsy Connolly, who will have to pick up more of the innings this year.
“Junior Halle Jones and sophomore Addi Smith will provide Connolly with help in the pitcher’s circle. Senior Kenley Routt will command the defense while holding down base runners from behind the dish.
In short, we hope to exhibit the experienced pitching, solid defense, and productive offense that have become hallmarks of Hilltop softball. The girls are hungry to make it to the next level.
“Hopefully, their game play and work ethic will exemplify that in 2026. One of our biggest challenges this season will be replacing the leadership, experience, and overall production lost with last year’s senior class.
“Although several freshmen and sophomores are competing for those roles, it is still unclear who will ultimately step in and how those pieces will best come together.
“While last year’s squad helped us to its third regional tournament appearance in five years, we failed to bring home a twelfth-straight BBC title in 2025.
“There’s no doubt we will be hungry to start a new championship run this season. Pettisville who returns several key players, will likely have the best chance of standing in our way.”
3. Pettisville
CO-HEAD COACHES: Chris Richer and Steve Hastings (third season, 16-19 coaching record)
2025 RECORD: 11-9 overall, 5-2 BBC
LETTERWINNERS LOST: Olivia Miller, Kelsey Bennett, Abbi Opdycke
LETTERWINNERS RETURNING: Naomi Richer (senior, shortstop, first team BBC, first team district), Macy Hoylman (senior, pitcher, first team BBC), Grace Hastings (senior, second base), Sophie Beltz (junior, first base), Kendall Vickery (junior, third base), Bailey Booth (sophomore, left field, BBC honorable mention)
COACHES OUTLOOK: “The program continues to grow. This year we have a group of 18 student athletes, including six eager freshmen, who have been working hard to improve their game skills and knowledge during the preseason.
“Our three seniors have been varsity starters since their freshman season and are outstanding leaders both on and off the field.
“We have some big holes to fill from last year’s team, both defensively and in our lineup. Inexperience will likely be a challenge.
“Being sharper with pre-pitch preparation and baserunning IQ will continue to be points of emphasis. We expect to compete hard within our conference schedule.
“We hope to continue to build off last year’s solid 5-2 BBC finish and feel like we have the personnel and drive to be in the mix at the top of the conference standings again.”
4. Edon (8-15 overall, 4-3 BBC)
2025 RECORD: 8-15 overall, 4-3 BBC
HEAD COACH: Tanner Sanders (first season)
LETTERWINNERS LOST: Allyson Derck
LETTERWINNERS RETURNING: Alexis Breier, Alysa Smith, Kyla Rummel, Lydia Tracey, Maddy Odgen, Stormlin Osborn, Amanda Schwartz, Kaylynn Bartlett, Neveah Smith
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Avery Aldrich, Sara Fitch, Adison Briner
COACHES OUTLOOK: “We have a large number of returning letter winners with a lot of experience and knowledge of the game, but a small roster with only 12 on the team. “We are hoping to improve our record from last year and win the BBC.”
5. North Central
HEAD COACH: Aubrie Ridinger (first season)
2025 RECORD: 7-12 overall, 3-4 BBC
LETTERWINNERS LOST: Amara Wright, Vittoria Salfi
LETTERWINNERS RETURNING: Cailyn Meyers (senior, .306 avg), Ava Gruber (junior, .194 avg), Emyrson Hollstein (sophomore, .404 avg, BBC second team), Gracie Zuver (junior, .195 avg), Breann Gendron (sophomore, .342 avg), Alexa Smith (sophomore, .209 avg), Addyson Turner (senior, .311 avg), Zoey Amos (sophomore, .325 avg)
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Bailey Carpenter (freshman), Rosalee (Rose) Mills (freshman), Adilyn Miller (freshman)
OUTLOOK FOR SEASON: “Returning letterwinners with experience hitting. Our weakness is pitching depth and catcher, and softball IQ. Looking forward to learning and growing as a program, building on previous success.”
6. Holgate
HEAD COACH: Jeremy Garcia (second season)
2025 RECORD: 3-13 overall, 2-5 BBC
LETTERWINNERS LOST: Hannah East, Olivia Sifuentes, Isabelle Blaker, Markee Wilhelm, Sophia Herndon
LETTERWINNERS RETURNING: Graysen Jones (senior, pitcher, .262 avg, 55 strikeouts, Lici Escamilla (senior, pitcher, .362 average, 24 strikeouts, Penelope Aguilar (senior, .111 average), Grace Sonnenberg (sophomore), Hannah Yenser (sophomore)
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Addy Giesige (freshman), Rylee Hedean (freshman), Matilda Swary (freshman), Lola Rosebrook (freshman), Yuri Borrego (freshman), Lexi Long (freshman), Maddie Schuette (freshman)
OUTLOOK FOR SEASON: “We have some good numbers this year which gives us more flexibility to move girls around and find the right positions for each skill set.
“We have great upperclassmen leading the team. The girls returning were able to get a lot of playing time last year, so we come in with a lot of experience.
“We have a large freshman class, all of whom are very energetic and bring a spark to the team which is great for the program.
“We have a lot of freshmen and will see a lot of playing time but with no varsity experience. The goal is to improve our record from last year and climb the ranks in the BBC.
7. Fayette (1-14 overall, 1-6 BBC)
Requested information not submitted by deadline.
8. Stryker
HEAD COACH: Brianna Palmer (first season)
2025 RECORD: 0-12 overall, 0-7 BBC
LETTERWINNERS LOST: Tara Noble
LETTERWINNERS RETURNING: Taygen Demmings (senior, third base), Raegan Myers (senior, first base), Kayla Fulk (senior, shortstop), Addalee Fulk (junior, shortstop/pitcher), Makynzie Drewes (junior, outfield), Morgan Beck (junior, center field/right field), Elaina Brenner (sophomore, pitcher), Amelia Elling (sophomore, left field), Abby Fulk (sophomore, center field)
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Jaiden Palmer (freshman, catcher), Peityn Crosser (freshman, pitcher/second base), Makenzie Cherry (freshman, third base), Maci Beck (freshman, right field)
COACHES OUTLOOK: “Incoming freshmen are showing a lot of potential in both the field and at the plate. Their time at the plate this year will be a must-see, and their time on defense is just as exciting.
“We might not have a state run this year, but our goal is to win some games and score some runs.”
For more spring sports coverage, see our 2026 NWOAL Softball Season Preview.