By Chris Parker
Seymour softball has a new head coach in Payton Hosiner this year. Hosiner graduated in 2020 and was the pitcher for Norwood’s 2019 final four team.
She takes over a Seymour program that returns its full roster from last year’s nine-win team.
Senior Mackenzie Gage and junior Katie Smith will be leaders of the experienced returning group. Gage led the team with a .557 batting average and 32 runs scored last year. She posted an OPS of 1.460. Smith is a strong leader by example who hit .366 with 18 runs scored last year.
Juniors Hannah Clark and Alleigh Warren will lead in the circle at pitcher this year.
“Hannah attacks the strike zone and has an amazing amount of control. She will keep us in any game as long as the defense behind her does their part. Alleigh has improved her velocity,” Hosiner said.
Smith and freshman Paisha Sturdefant will also pitch.
Junior Olivia Kyle and sophomore Haydon Gage are in the mix behind the plate at catcher. Kyle hit .302 last year. Gage hit .392 while tying for a team-high in RBI with 17.
“Olivia has the ability to throw out a lot of runners when they are attempting to steal,” Hosiner said. “Haydon works hard at any position you put her.”
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Junior Elisa Valbuena could also see time at catcher. Valbuena scored 17 runs and drove in another 14 last year.
The infield will feature Shea Peters, Allie Alexander, Aubrie Fann and Elisa Valbuena. Peters hit .308 in 2021. Alexander hit .310 last year. Fann tied for the team lead in RBI with 17 last year while scoring another 18 runs on her way to an OPS of 1.063.
Expect to see Mackenzie Gage, Haydon Gage, Smith, Kaylynee Bull and Cameron Hanger in the outfield.
Seymour will be a deep team with many other players capable of contributing.
“Our strengths include experience and numbers,” Hosiner said. “We have a lot of players that we are going to use this fall season. I think we are going to have about 25-30 players. This team has the ability to cover a lot of ground both on the infield and in the outfield.”
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Speed on the bases will be a strength as well.
“The girls are going to be very fast on the bases this season. Junior Jadyn Johnson and Sophomore Kaylynne Bull are great athletes and their speed on the bases will make it tough on our opposing team’s defense,” Hosiner said. “We have a lot of players such as juniors Abigail Harper, Nichole Harris, Alyssa Moore, and sophomores Sarah Bailey, Ellie Kastning, and Callie Pickett ready to step up and fill big roles when needed. Freshman Taylor Cantrell and Sophie Adamson are very hardworking players who push the varsity to be the best they can be.”
Seymour opens the season on Aug. 27 at the Halfway Tournament.
