By Chris Parker
Hartville we rely on upperclassmen leadership this season looking to climb back above .500 after finishing 15-16 in 2022.
“Our upperclassmen will need to be our leaders,” head coach Andrew Doyle said. “They have been with me since they were freshmen and know what our expectations are. We will need them to help lead our very freshman-heavy roster.”
A host of players are in contention for time in the circle pitching including Jenna Kelley (senior), Rylea Boyd (junior), Ella Fairchild (sophomore), Kinley Cryer (freshman), Claire Dickinson (freshman) and Sarah Palmer (freshman). Doyle expects Kelley to see a majority of the early-season innings.
Sophomore Brielle Kline will be behind the plate at catcher again. Dickinson and Haddie Ward (freshman) could find their way into games at catcher.
Erin Still (senior), Katia Todd (junior) and Haley Parker (junior) are three returning lettermen on the infield. Maddie Brown (freshman), McKenzi Stigall (freshman), Cryer, Dickinson and Palmer will all look for time on the infield as well.
The outfield will feature seniors Taryn Flachsmann, Kelley and Brooklyn Kline.
“This will be the most athletic team I’ve had while coaching here,” Doyle said. “If we can utilize our speed and be aggressiveness on the bases, we have a chance to give some teams some trouble on the base paths. We have a young group of freshmen that will be pushing the upperclassmen every day and competing for positions.”
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Adjusting to the varsity game will be key for Hartville’s roster.
“We need to get more innings under our belt,” Doyle said. “All but one of our returnees have only had a year of varsity experience. Our freshmen will also need to get accustomed to the speed of varsity level softball.”
Hartville opens the season Aug. 25-26 at he Morrisville Tournament.
“We are looking to win a district championship just like every year,” Doyle said. “We play a very competitive schedule that gets us prepared for October, and we are looking to finish with a winning record as we went 15-16 last fall.”
