Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Coach: Sarah Gruner, fourth year
Last year: 18-8 (11-7 SBC River)
Key returning players: Cheyenne Reese (Jr., C); Emily Henderson (Jr. 1B); Ansley Fleming (Sr., SS)
Two years ago, Gibsonburg advanced to the Division IV state semifinals.
Last season, the team regressed a bit, winning 18 games and bowing out in the district semifinals.
On paper, this year's team appears to have the potential to get back to Akron.
Led by catcher Cheyenne Reese, first baseman Emily Henderson, shortstop Ansley Fleming and leftfielder Leah Hall, all of whom were starters on the team two years ago, Gibsonburg has what appears to be a potent lineup with Ava Amor and Alivia Wauford battling it out in the circle.
"I'm extremely excited for that combo,” Gibsonburg coach Sarah Gruner said. “They're young, but the potential is unreal. They both bring different strengths to the circle and have learned so much already this season."
Fleming leads off, followed by Reese Amor, who also plays shortstop and third base. Hall is the clean-up hitter, Wauford will see time at short and third when she's not pitching. Henderson bats sixth, followed by second baseman Mia Brink, Mackenzie Muntz or Katie Hall in right field and centerfielder Emma Jividen.
"We're young but have some big bats and quick runners," Gruner said. "When our confidence is up and things start to click, great things happen.”
It is a rather young group with Fleming being the only senior, but there are five juniors, three sophomores and six freshmen.
Gruner, a Gibsonburg alum, said her team will have to handle adversity if they want to compete in the SBC River Division and make another tournament run.
"We have to overcome adversity as it occurs and play to our team's strengths," she said. "This year's team includes amazing athletes, and it's just a matter of time before it all clicks as a team."
The conference is filled with good teams like Tiffin Calvert, Hopewell-Loudon, Lakota, Danbury and New Riegel.
"It's going to be a battle again this year," Gruner said. "This league is made up of some great teams."
