Licking County softball teams set sights on reaching OHSAA tournament

On Mar 23, 2023

NEWARK — Licking County had a banner season in 2021, sending four softball teams to the state tournament, and it was quite an encore a season ago with Watkins Memorial and Heath each reaching the final weekend.

The county again is loaded with talent in the circle and at the plate as several teams have aspirations of playing into June.

Granville

Junior third baseman Emily Travis and sophomore center fielder Megan Lodge swing big bats for Granville to support the junior battery of Ally Ernsberger in the circle and Taylor Warehime at catcher. They combine with seniors Morgan Layne and Rowan Jordan to anchor the Blue Aces’ defense and boost the lineup.

Heath

Led by the 1-2 punch of seniors Renae Cunningham and Sydney Chapman in the circle, the Bulldogs will be a threat to repeat as Licking County League-Cardinal Division champions and return to the Division II state tournament. Cunningham also is one of the state’s most feared hitters, and sophomores shortstop Kyndall Spicer, Sydney Cottrell, who is moving to catcher this season, and left fielder Shelby Moore stepped right into the lineup as dangerous hitters.

Johnstown

After falling in the Division III district finals last season, Johnstown returns an experienced core that could compete for a state tournament berth, where the Johnnies reached in 2021. Seniors Dakota Staffan and Macy Walters are impressive at the plate and in the circle. Seniors Laney Zak (center field) and Addie Triplett (shortstop) set the table and make the Johnnies strong up the middle.

Lakewood

The Lancers, who had a heartbreaking loss in the Division II district finals, should again be dangerous at the plate and on the basepaths, returning seniors Dani Stewart and Audrey Thomas, who also are the Lancers’ double-play combination. Junior Becca Streets will be asked to add power after the Lancers graduated their leading run producers, and senior Abby Colley adds to the defense behind Streets and sophomore Carly Williams.

Licking Heights

The Hornets took a big step reaching the Division I district semifinals, and they could be ready to continue their ascension led by senior center fielder Kaylyn Hopf, senior shortstop Syd Stout and sophomore catcher Alissa West providing a powerful core at the top of the order and up the middle. Junior left fielder Evie Hays adds production in the heart of the order, and sophomore Lydia Rauch returns with the most varsity experience in the circle.

Licking Valley

The Panthers return a strong righty-lefty combo in the circle with junior Abbe McNabb and sophomore Rylee Pitt. The top of the order graduated two key bats, but junior shortstop Sylvie Devore and sophomore second baseman Zoey Shaw are a new double-play combination and add speed as table setters for McNabb and sophomore catcher Taylor Penick.

Newark

The Wildcats have a bevy of multiyear starters as they hope to contend for an Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division title and make a deep run in the Division I district tournament. Seniors Syncere Royster and Jaylen Jackson provide power from the circle and at the plate, and seniors Alasandra Spears and Brooke Nelson, who share catcher and shortstop, and senior left fielder Dez Osler form a dangerous top of the order.

Newark Catholic

A talented junior core lead the Green Wave as they hope to make a run at reclaiming the Division IV regional championship they secured in 2021. Center fielder Kylie Gibson is back from injury and joins classmates Kami Diaz at shortstop and catcher Ava Heffley to make the Green Wave stout up the middle. Juniors Avery Nagel, who will do some of the pitching, and first baseman Maris Knowlton provide pop.

Northridge

Junior shortstop Kenzie Hannahs leads an inexperienced Northridge lineup both at the plate and in the field, and she will have help from sophomore Kaylee Goodwin. Seniors Maddie Reese and Emily Hanes are expected to share the pitching duties with junior Addison Moore behind the plate.

Utica

Shortstop Lexi Wiegand leads a strong junior class for Utica and is the team’s leading returning hitter. Karleigh Lees is a powerful two-player in the circle and at the plate, and Cheyanne Smith, who also will see time pitching, and Lauren Schmitt bolster the lineup.

Watkins Memorial

The junior All-Ohio battery of pitcher Carsyn Cassady and Jordyn Wycuff lead the Warriors’ pursuit of third consecutive Licking County League-Buckeye and Division I regional championships. Senior center fielder Taylor Gerhardt is a dynamic leadoff hitter, and sophomore Maleya Thompson, likely moving to shortstop, senior first baseman McKayla Jellison and senior Christina Kilkenny and junior Ava McKee, a Bishop Hartley transfer, who are expected to share third base, provide production around the diamond.