Softball preview: Colonels look to make another run at states

Last season, the James Wood softball team made school history by winning the Region 4C title and advancing to the state quarterfinals for the first time.

Now playing in a new region, can the Colonels advance further?

Patrick Gibson certainly lost his share of outstanding players from a squad that broke the school record for victories (22) last season. Sydney Orndorff (Eastern Mennonite), Izzy McKee (West Liberty) and Sadie Kittoe (Felician) are on college softball rosters right now.

But Gibson has plenty of experience back as James Wood takes aim at Region 4D, especially in the circle. Seniors Jenna Shull (11-1, 3.53 ERA, 93 strikeouts) and Cadence Rieg (10-2, 3.50 ERA) give the Colonels a powerful 1-2 pitching punch.

James Wood also lit up the scoreboard last season, with Rieg, a standout center fielder, and Shull playing a big part in that, too. Rieg, the Region 4C Co-Player of the Year who will play at Shenandoah University next year, hit .536, scored 37 runs and drove in 28, while stealing 14 bases and belting three homers. Shull, who also plays first base, hit .371 with 23 RBIs and three homers. She will play for Mary Baldwin University next year.

The Colonels also return outfielder Skyla Compton (.461 average, 38 runs, 3 homers, heading to Potomac State College) and Aliza Judd (.424), who is making the move from first base to catcher.

Sherando certainly could give the Colonels some tough competition. The Warriors handed James Wood its only loss in district regular-season action last year.

Mark Conner’s squad returns the bulk of its lineup. A key player for the Warriors will be sophomore pitcher Lily Wray, who led the area with 13 wins and was second with 143 strikeouts, while recording a 2.63 ERA. At the plate, Wray batted .388 with 25 RBIs.

Seniors Santanna Puller (Bowie State University), Abby Vadnais (Concord University) and Anna Borst (Chatham University) have each committed to play college softball. First baseman/pitcher Puller (29 RBIs, 3 homers); center fielder Vadnais (.390, 35 runs, 25 stolen bases, 19 RBIs) and Borst (.393, 17 runs) are keys to a potent offense.

Millbrook will be looking to rebound after a tough regular season last spring. Carolyn Campbell’s squad does return senior shortstop Alexis McFarland (.345, 24 runs), who was the Class 4 Northwestern District Co-Player of the Year as a sophomore. Junior catcher/third baseman Hailey Courtney is the leading returning hitter (.373 average, 19 RBIs).

With the loss of starting pitcher Emily Jeffries, the Pioneers will be counting on Emma Martin (4.30 ERA, 42 strikeouts in 40.2 innings). Martin also hit .309 with four homers and 15 RBIs.

First-year Handley coach Matt Levy has his hands full in rebuilding the Judges, who lost all but one of 21 games last season.

Handley returns eight starters, including pitcher Lily Shearer and infielder Khadijah Long.

Clarke County lost the two-time Winchester Star Player of the Year Madison Edwards, who is now starting at second base as a freshman for Division I James Madison.

First-year head coach Jeff Parker does return another Division I player in Anna Hornbaker, who is headed to Gardner-Webb. Hornbaker was an absolute workhorse in the circle last season, pitching 133 innings as she won 12 games and struck out a whopping 211 batters. Hornbaker also was devastating at the plate with a .486 batting average, while driving in 21 runs.

James Wood

Coach: Patrick Gibson, second season

Last season: 22-3, 11-1 Class 4 Northwestern District. District regular-season and tournament champion, Region 4C champion, Class 4 quarterfinalist

Key losses: Izzy McKee, Sadie Kittoe, Sydney Orndorff, Ellie Johnson, Brooklyn Davis, Sophia Mezzatesta, Georgia Carter and Kayleigh Harden (injury).

Key returners: Cadence Rieg (Sr., P/CF); Jenna Shull (Sr., P/1B); Skyla Compton (Sr., OF); Emma Pitta (Sr., 3B/C); Aliza Judd (Jr., C/1B); Brynnen Williams (So., SS).

Key newcomers: Emma Parker (Jr., 3B/C); Aubrey Nail (So., OF/SS); Katilyn Brannon (Fr., P/IF); Sophia Gerald (Fr., P/2B/3B); Molly Maynard (Fr., 3B/1B/C); Kyleigh Bly (Fr., OF/2B).

Gibson’s expectations: “My expectations for the season are to continue our regional appearance streak and to make it back to states. Anything less than that will be a disappointment. It’s going to be a challenge with losing seven seniors, but the returnees know what it takes and our four freshmen are responding to being coached hard. Expectations are always going to be high around here. The girls are used to it and embrace it. … Cadence and Jenna both look impressive and are pitching as well as I’ve ever seen them. They are both focused to lead this team back to states. Skyla and Aliza are both swinging it well. Aliza has improved behind the plate and is handling the pitching staff well. Brynnen is poised to take over at shortstop and is leading our young infield. She has also improved her offensive game drastically as now she can hit for power to go with her small game. Aubrey has great speed and is impressing in the OF. Katilyn and Sophia are legit options on the mound and I trust them to pitch in any situation if need be. Molly Maynard had a great tryout and gets better every day. All 12 players have shown signs that they can be full-time starters and are pushing each other to be better.

“Our district/region should be well balanced and very competitive. Millbrook and Sherando have pitchers that can beat you on any given night and I have a ton of respect for them all. It will always come down to who can execute in the moment. I don’t like that we don’t play Orange County and Charlottesville in the regular season but that’s out of our control and all we can do is play who is on our schedule. Also, I don’t like standings being based on overall records. The formula to preparing for a title run is playing the toughest non-district games possible and the current setup doesn’t reward that. Also, I will miss the tradition of our district tournament. We have a lot of great memories from those, but sometimes change is necessary and we will see how it plays out this year.”

First game: Wednesday at Fauquier

Sherando

Coach: Mark Conner, third season

Last year: 15-9, 10-2, Class 4 Northwestern District runner-up, Region 4C semifinalist

Key losses: Madison Harris, Jaeda Long

Key returners: Abby Vadnais (Sr., OF), Anna Borst (Sr., OF), Santanna Puller (Sr., 1B/P); Allison Williams (Sr., U); Kayla Grum (Jr., C); Kendra Chunta (Jr., 3B); Aubrey Weir (Jr., P/IF), Meghan Walker (Jr., U); Lily Wray (So., P/IF); Mady Cox (So., OF/P).

Key newcomers: Makayla Williams (So., U, transfer from Legacy Christian); Eliza Anderson (Fr., U); Leighanne Lowe (Fr., U, transfer from Legacy Christian).

Conner’s expectations: “There are 10 returners from last year’s region team, and we are hopeful that the success they experienced will resonate within the dugout this season with our new players to the program. Our team goals are to work even harder than last year, both the physical and mental aspects of the game, compete at a high level, and have a collective effort to win games. There is a lot of competition on our schedule, every game counts, and we cannot afford to take anything for granted. Even though the [postseason] format has changed, it comes down to winning games, one inning at time. If we can play consistent and fundamental softball, we expect to be competing for the district and region titles.”

First game: Monday vs. Skyline

Millbrook

Coach: Carolyn Campbell, third season

Last year: 6-14, 5-7 Class 4 Northwestern District

Key losses: Emily Jeffries, Grace Badnek, Jazmyne Scott

Key returnees: Alexis McFarland (Sr., SS); Emma Martin (So., P/U); Rowan McCullough (So., OF), Allie Simmons (Jr., OF), Hailey Courtney (Jr., C/3B).

Key newcomers: Alexis Edwards (Fr., C); Kaylen Giza (Fr., 1B/U).

Campbell’s expectations: “I expect this team to play competitive softball every game, inning by inning, pitch by pitch. This team is not only showing up, ready to put in the work, but they have faith in their teammates that they have their back. The coaches have set higher expectations for our players to push harder this season. … Our district is one of the most competitive out there. With the new postseason format, every game matters. Even though we will face tough opponents in both our district and region, the format keeps our schedule consistent from a player’s perspective. The consistency in this format aligns with our goal for this season — win every inning.”

First game: Tuesday vs. Sherando

Handley

Head coach: Matt Levy

Last year: 1-20; 0-12 Class 4 Northwestern District

Key loss: Laura Hogan

Key returners: Khadijah Long (Sr., IF); Mason Rinker (Sr., P/C); Haley Davis (Jr., IF), Lilly Hepner (Jr., 2B); Meyly Vicente (Jr., U); Alaina Daugherty (So., P/C/IF); Bella Knight (So.; C/U); Lily Shearer (So., P/1B).

Key newcomers: Marisa Onzura (Jr., OF); Carolina Fost (Jr. 1B/U); Alexa Marshall (Fr., P/IF); Kai’Lani Thornton-Kern (Fr., OF); Alayna Zehner (Fr., 2B); Lyla Somet (Fr., U); Leslie Velasquez (Sr., U).

Levy’s expectations: “As a first-year coach with a very young team, I am hoping to be competitive. I want our team to learn and grow as the season progresses. I am not the type to predict a number of victories or losses, but I am optimistic about the young talent that we will put out on the field this season. After going [0-12] in the district last season, I am hopeful that we will improve on those numbers. I am honestly not a fan of the new postseason format. I understand it and can appreciate attempting to speed up the process while looking out for total games that players participate in, but it robs the opportunity for the lower ranked teams to get to experience a postseason contest. As a team that was lower last season, I would love to have the opportunity to play spoiler if a postseason opportunity presents itself.”

First game: Wednesday at Martinsburg (W.Va.)

Clarke CountyCoach: Jeff Parker, first season

Last year: 12-10, 9-5 in Bull Run District

Key returners: Anna Hornbaker (Sr., P/IF); Devin Simmons-McDonald (Jr., 1B); Courtney Paskel (Jr., OF); Autumn Bell (Jr., IF).

Key newcomers: Emmerson Kennedy (Fr., C); Miranda Smith (Fr., IF).

Parker’s expectations: “I am looking forward to a successful season. We are going to have a great deal of energy every game and focus on executing the fundamentals and having fun. We will be a competitive team that plays extremely hard every game. All the teams in the district are skilled and competitive, so it will make for a fun season.”

First game: Wednesday vs. Berkeley Springs (W.Va.)

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