Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Veteran Northwood softball head coach Jennifer Noonan, who has led her team to five straight league titles, will see a lot of fresh faces in the lineup this year as the Rangers focus on development.
“We knew after graduating that large class last year and only having one senior this year and two juniors, that this was going to be a rebuilding year,” Noonan said. “We’re really focused on player development because we have a lot of kids in seventh and eighth grade that will be entering the program.”
Noonan said they have around 10 players in eighth grade, including a pitcher, in addition to the seventh graders.
“Those two years, combined with our now sophomores and freshmen, we're trying to focus on developing them, so when we get these kids, we’ll have a solid program,” Noonan said.
At the varsity level, though, Northwood graduated one of the best two-way players in program history in Lea Wauford, who is now playing JUCO ball at Terra State.
“Lea's got school records,” Noonan said. “She's made a mark on the program, and she made a mark on the school as an athlete. Lea is the definition of what someone with the heart for softball is if that makes sense. She's just a softball player.”
Noonan said her former star has even helped at times in practice on her days off this spring.
“She just loves the game,” she said. “It's just a part of who she is.”
The losses go beyond Wauford as Northwood also graduated shortstop Shealyn Nestor, first baseman Lizzie Caspar, third baseman Eden Schoch, and centerfielder/pitcher Shelby Mercer.
This year’s team features just three upperclassmen, including senior Kadience Karmol and juniors Madison Huenefeld and Celina Gomez.
Huenefeld has pitched in both of the team’s first two scrimmages, and sophomore Camryn Haas will also see time in the circle for Northwood.
“We’re looking for Maddie to help carry the team in the circle and as well at the plate,” Noonan said. “Kadience is just a fantastic all-around player. She caught for us last year, but we're probably going to need her in the field this year.”
Gomez has been at second base in scrimmages, where Noonan said she did great, and she could also see time in the outfield. Freshman Angelyna Bonner will likely catch most innings, too.
“We’re still trying to figure out everybody's best spot, but that's just kind of what we're thinking so far,” Noonan said.
Northwood also has several players who are new to the team, and even softball in some instances. Sophomore Alyssa McDaniel didn’t play last year, while a trio of freshmen in Amaya Dixon, Destinee Husen, and Kaydence Miller are either new to softball or only played in rec league.
Another player on the roster is sophomore utility, Anabelle Lagrange. Emma Kirkpatrick and Averey Perlaky are also sophomores. Kirkpatrick played some second base at the varsity level last year, while Perlaky stepped in at first when Caspar was hurt.
“We're really young this year, so it's going to be tough for the younger kids to play with these more developed programs,” Noonan said. “We’re going to be relying on everybody that played last year to lead the team, and to help us have a successful season.”
The Rangers finished 12-9 overall last year, including an 8-0 record in TAAC play, before advancing to the sectional final. After five straight league titles, Northwood will move to the SBC this year.
“The team gets along great,” Noonan said. “They have fun together. They really help each other out. They're full of great questions. If they don't understand something, they make sure they either ask a coach or a teammate. They're developing quickly, and it's fun to watch them learn and get excited. You teach them a skill and then they do it, and it's fun. It's fun to develop players.”
