Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Eastwood softball team will have to replace Second Team All-Ohio shortstop Ady Bowe, but a talented roster could provide for another deep tournament run.
“They’re getting along well, working well together,” Eastwood head coach Joe Wyant said. “One of my biggest concerns was having a leader and taking Ady Bowe’s spot, who was a great leader and a good example as a player. It’s tough to replace her, but as of now, it seems like they’re getting along well.”
With the graduation of Bowe, who is now starting at Heidelberg, the 19th-year head coach will look for improved offense from the rest of his lineup, which returns eight starters from last year’s regional semifinal team.
The Eagles finished 22-3 overall, including a 12-2 record in NBC play, which earned them a share of the league title with Lake.
Kenzie Hady, who went 20-3 with a 1.68 ERA and 233 strikeouts over 142 innings a year ago en route to Honorable Mention All-Ohio recognition, returns for her senior year. She did all that after returning from a shoulder injury her sophomore year.
“Last year, we didn't know if she could pitch with her arm and how long she would last,” Wyant said. “It's still the same, but she made it through last year, so I think we should be fine with her arm the way it is.”
Wyant, who is 509-191 in his career after winning No. 500 last year, praised his pitcher’s mental toughness.
"Probably her biggest strength is her mental toughness,” he said. “Her shoulder and all that, and the surgery, she pitched with pain every game. She had to ice it right afterwards. We had a scrimmage the other day, the same thing. By the fifth or sixth inning, she’s sore by then. Her grit and mental toughness is her best asset.”
While Hady pitched the vast majority of innings last year, while also batting .329 with 17 RBIs and 12 stolen bases, she will have added help this year with the addition of freshman Addy Loomis and the return of sophomore Sophia Rankin.
“Loomis is very good for a freshman,” Wyant said. “She could be an impact (player). She will take some of the innings. I don’t know how I’m going to do it. I don’t know if it’s going to be 50/50, every other game ... all I know is Hady won’t pitch as many innings, and she’ll have a stronger finish. I’m not afraid to put (Loomis) in. She’s pretty good for a freshman.”
Rankin, meanwhile, will slide from third base over to shortstop when she isn’t pitching to replace Bowe, while junior Maddie Sorg settles into third base. Rankin hit .405 with 26 runs and 22 RBIs last year while earning Honorable Mention All-NBC recognition.
“They’ll be solid,” Wyant said of his new left side of the infield. “Sorg’s come around and gotten a lot better. Even in the last three weeks, I can see an improvement. Rankin is plenty adequate to play short. It’s not going to be Bowe, but she’s plenty adequate.”
Two more veteran starters include Second Team All-NBC second baseman Karly Wasserman and Honorable Mention All-NBC catcher Maddie Hartman. Wasserman hit .382 with seven doubles, 25 runs, and 28 RBIs, while Hartman batted .278 with 17 RBIs and 14 runs.
They’ll join returning Honorable Mention All-NBC first baseman Jenna Lubash, who hit .291 with 18 RBIs and 18 runs.
The team also returns its starting outfield of leftfielder Grace Meter, centerfielder Stella Chlebowski, and right fielder Kayla Hady. Among that group, Chlebowski had a big year as a freshman, earning First Team All-NBC recognition after .361 with 32 runs, 30 RBIs, 16 stolen bases, five home runs, and six doubles.
With Bowe leading the team in batting average (.463), home runs (5), stolen bases (25), walks (19), doubles (7), and runs (34) last year, Wyant said it will have to be a collective effort in replacing her production.
“Our defense is fine and pitching will be okay,” Wyant said. “Offense is where it concerns me. Sometimes we didn’t have offense last year, and when you lose your best offensive weapon, that concerns you. We all have to do better offensively. If everybody improves a little bit on offense, that will make up for what we lost.”
In addition to Loomis, who will also hit in the heart of the lineup in addition to backing up Hady in the circle, the Eagles also feature sophomores Addyson Leppelmeier and Lyla Meter, as well as freshman Raegan Sabo.
Wyant was pleased Sabo chose softball over track. He said she has track speed. She’s always been an infielder, but he thinks they could use her in the outfield.
With Lake making regionals and Oak Harbor appearing in the state semifinals last year, the NBC features three teams that at least made regional play. And Wyant feels Otsego will also be a factor in the league race.
