Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Genoa softball team will likely feature a freshman battery and several underclassmen in key spots as head coach Troy Susor enters his fifth season at the helm.
“The talent is there,” Susor said. “We’re just young. There's a lot of young, promising kids, and there's a couple good ones that are even down in JV that in years past, I would have had up on varsity. That's a good thing. The program's getting healthy and good things appear on the horizon.
“They're a cohesive unit. They're really good together. They have no issues. They gel together. They support each other. There's nobody that has a bad attitude because they're not getting the opportunity to go in and play now. And even the girls that went down to JV have a good attitude.”
The Comets finished 6-15 overall and 3-11 in NBC play last year, defeating Bellevue for the sectional title before falling to Clyde in the Division IV district semifinal.
The freshman battery of pitcher Rachel Buehler and catcher Kody Teet will likely be featured a lot for Genoa. Buehler will take over for Makayla Magrum, who returns as a senior this year but not as the primary pitcher, while Teet takes over for the graduated Maddie Bronowski, who was a Second Team All-NBC selection.
“(Kody) is a good one,” he said. “She’s solid all the way around. Other than pitcher, she can play every position on the field.”
Meanwhile, Buehler will be leaned on by Susor.
“She's doing well for a freshman,” Susor said. “I'm very pleased with her. She's probably going to get the majority of innings barring anything crazy.”
Magrum is still available to pitch after earning First Team All-NBC recognition at the utility spot, although Genoa has a couple other freshman pitchers, including one who Susor would like to keep on JV to help her develop innings. Two other rookies, Makenna Witt and Bella Legare, are also on the roster.
In addition to Bronowski, another key graduate was shortstop Emersen Bickel, who was a First Team All-NBC selection. Mya Colvin, who started in centerfield last year en route to Honorable Mention All-NBC recognition, will slide up to replace Bickel as the Comets feature returning sophomore outfielders Rilee Popovich and Izzy Britt. Another outfielder, junior Kylie Pennington, will likely fill the remaining spot after missing last year due to injury.
Susor is also excited about junior Izzy West, who returns as the starting first baseman, and sophomore Izzy Britt, who he said has really come on a lot.
“She went from a reserve player last year to starting probably our last six or eight games, maybe a little more than that,” Susor said of Britt. “She really hit the ball well, and so far through our first two scrimmages, she's leading us with hitting. She's hit everything hard right on the nose. I'm looking for good things out of her this year.”
Other players on the varsity roster include senior Alina Kegerize and sophomore Makenna Nehls.
“Alina went down on JV for a little bit last year, but I'm looking for her to step up and contribute a lot this year at second base,” Susor said. “She's put in the work. She's a good kid, and she works her tail off. She deserves the opportunity right now.”
Susor said he might have two sophomores and two freshmen in his starting lineup, and maybe even five at times.
“They just need to kick back and relax a little bit,” he said. “Let it come to them. I don't really know what to expect. I truly don't. I know I can expect better things than last year, but it just depends how fast they kick in and how fast they adjust to the game at the high school speed.
“The biggest thing I stress to them is (the mental side of things) because they press a lot. They're trying to impress. I know they're nervous. Everybody, even the older kids are nervous at the beginning, but these freshmen, they're really nervous ... other than Kody. It’s just another game for her. She's an exception to most kids. Let's put it that way. But the rest of them, if I can just get them to settle down and let the game come to them (they’ll be fine).”
