The James Wood High School softball team may have lost the best pitcher in the area from last year, but that hasn’t stopped coach Patrick Gibson from setting a high standard for his program this spring.
Graduating in 2024 and now at Shenandoah University, 2024 Winchester Star Player of the Year Cadence Rieg won’t be able to help the Colonels in their quest to reach the state tournament for the third straight season. That doesn’t mean Wood is without some of the best talent in the area.
The Colonels return Eastern Kentucky commit Brynnen Williams, who led the team in hits last spring with 40. Williams also had the highest batting average and on-base percentage in the area at .541 and .611, respectively.
Kati Brannon also returns after leading the area with 34 RBIs and nine home runs. Brannon also saw time in the circle last spring, going 3-0 and finishing with an area-best 0.76 ERA in 18.1 innings. Sophia Gerald is the other returning pitcher for the Colonels. Gerald had the fourth-lowest ERA among area pitchers at 1.23 and had 38 strikeouts.
Aliza Judd, who was second in the area with 31 RBIs, also comes back for the Colonels. As does junior third baseman Kayleigh Harden, who missed the 2024 season with a knee injury.
En route to last season’s state tournament, Wood had to go through Sherando in the Region 4D semifinals. Judd delivered a walk-off single in that playoff contest, sending the Colonels to the region title game and sending the Warriors home.
Sherando will look to avenge last year’s ending with a roster that has a large pool of returning talent, headlined by three returning players in the circle.
Sherando brings back Class 4 Second Team selection Lily Wray, who went 10-4 last spring. Wray was third in the area with a 1.04 ERA and third in strikeouts with 131 in 94 innings. Mady Cox also returns after going 3-2 in the circle and recording the third-best area batting average at .475 and most hits on the team (29). Aubrey Weir (3-0, 15 strikeouts in 14.1 innings) rounds out the Warriors’ returning arms.
Sherando also brings back power hitter Leighanne Lowe, who blasted a team-high three home runs and batted .370.
After finishing last spring 11-8 (5-3 Class 4 Northwestern District), Millbrook returns its top two hit leaders from last spring in Jazmin Orr (.468 batting average, .485 on-base percentage, 30 hits and 23 RBIs) and Emma Martin (.448, .522, 26, 20 RBIs. Martin, a Class 4 All-State First Team selection, was also the Pioneers’ lead pitcher last season, finishing with 133 strikeouts and a 4.25 ERA in 85.2 innings.
Senior utility Allie Simmons also comes back after hitting .333 and recording 19 hits last spring.
Handley will look to improve its 1-19 (0-8 Class 4 Northwestern District) record from last season. The Judges bring back one of their top pitchers in Lily Shearer, who had 27 strikeouts. They also return senior first baseman Haley Davis and bring in sophomore pitcher/utility Laylen Jewell from Gretna High School.
In the Bull Run District, Clarke County, second-year coach Jeff Parker will turn to two freshmen pitchers in hopes of improving the Eagles’ 12-11 (7-5 district) record from last season.
Clarke loses All-Region 2B Second Team selection Anna Hornbaker (now at Gardner-Webb) but brings back sophomore catcher/infielder Emmerson Kennedy (.409 average, .530 on-base percentage, 33 runs, area-best 31 stolen bases).
The following is a breakdown provided by the area coaches:
James Wood
Coach: Patrick Gibson, third season
Last year: 19-5, 6-2 Class 4 Northwestern District, Region 4D finalist, Class 4 state quarterfinalist
Key losses: Cadence Rieg, Skyla Compton, Jenna Shull, Emma Pitta.
Top returning players: Aliza Judd (Sr., C); Brynnen Williams (Jr., SS); Aubrey Nail (Jr., CF); Katilyn Brannon (So., P/2B); Sophia Gerald (So., P/2B); Molly Maynard (So., 3B/1B).
Top newcomers: Emma Hild (Sr., P/OF); Kayleigh Harden (Jr., 3B/SS/OF); Evelyn Ludwig (Jr., OF/3B); Gabby Madagan (So., 1B); Julia Rheinberger (So., OF/2B); Adilynn Ellison (Fr., OF/1B).
Gibson’s expectations: “My overall expectation for the season is to win the district and make it back to states for the third year in a row. Always a tough task, but these girls know what it takes, and we are talented enough to accomplish it.
“I feel we match up well with the teams in our district. Millbrook and Sherando have their pitchers returning. They are legit and can beat you on any given day. We will soon see what the other teams are like, but for the most part, I think the talent is pretty even throughout the district/region.”
First game: Monday vs. Skyline
Sherando
Coach: Mark Conner, fourth season
Last year: 16-6, 6-2 Class 4 Northwestern District, Region 4D semifinalist
Key losses: Abby Vadnais, Anna Borst, Santanna Puller.
Top returning players: Kayla Grum (Sr., C); Kendra Chunta (Sr., 3B); Aubrey Weir (Sr., P); Meghan Walker (Sr., OF); Lily Wray (Jr., P); Mady Cox (Jr., OF), Makayla Williams (Jr., IF); Leighanne Lowe (So., 2B); Eliza Anderson (So., OF).
Top newcomers: Elle Shutts (So., UT); Abby Rinker (Fr., UT); Jessie Kaiser (Fr., P); Sophia Zimmerman (Fr., IF).
Conner’s expectations: “We expect to compete at a high level and build from our success over the past two seasons. With all the talented programs and athletes within our district/region, we’re working hard to prepare ourselves for each opponent that we’ll be facing this season.
“Our coaching staff feels this team can accomplish many things on the diamond. They have great chemistry as a group, and they understand the key to winning games down the stretch is staying poised under the pressures of the game. The key will be playing fundamental softball one inning at a time.”
First game: Tuesday vs. Strasburg
Millbrook
Coach: Carolyn Campbell, fourth season
Last year: 11-8, 5-3 Class 4 Northwestern District, Region 4D quarterfinalist
Key loss: Alexis McFarland.
Top returning players: Allie Simmons (Sr., UT); Jazmin Orr (Sr., 3B); Emma Martin (Jr., P/INF).
Top newcomers: Mckenna Ripstein (Fr., UT).
Campbell’s expectations: “We are eager to compete at a high level. With a versatile roster, we are excited to utilize every player to maximize our team’s potential. Our focus is on bringing a competitive edge to every game. Our goal is to make a deep playoff run. We know we can compete with the high level of competition on our schedule this year, and we look forward to embracing every opportunity to grow and fight for wins.
“We have a more versatile roster this season, which will allow us to adapt to different situations the season throws at us. We are focused on keeping the energy level high all season long.”
First game: Monday vs. Fauquier
Handley
Coach: Matt Levy, second season
Last year: 1-19, 0-8 Class 4 Northwestern District
Key losses: Mason Rinker, Khadijah Long, Meyly Vicente, Marisa Onzura, and Lilly Hepner.
Top returning players: Haley Davis (Sr., 1B/UT); Lily Shearer (Jr., P); Kai’Lani Thornton-Kern (So., OF); Ka’Liyah Downing (So., IF); Bella Knight (Jr., C/UT); Alaina Daugherty (Jr., P/C); Alayna Zehner (So., U).
Top newcomers: Maggie Van Heukelum (Jr., IF); Laylen Jewell (So., P/UT).
Levy’s expectations: “If history shows anything, we are in a very strong district and region, playing against players who have been playing their entire lives. The majority of our team hadn’t had much playing experience outside of Handley softball. Success is measured in different ways. We will celebrate the small victories as a team and hope that some wins will come with the internal growth of this team.
“Based on our preseason practices, the team has seemed to click. The attitudes and communication between the players have been incredibly positive. Our team is incredibly fast, and we hope to utilize that speed on the basepaths. It is important for this team to remain healthy. If we can do that, we should be able to put a solid squad out on the diamond.”
First game: Monday vs. Warren County
Clarke County
Coach: Jeff Parker, second season
Last year: 12-11, 7-5 Bull Run District, Region 2B quarterfinalist
Key loss: Anna Hornbaker
Top returning players: Courtney Paskel (Sr., OF); Devin Simmons-McDonald (Sr., 1B); Brooke Choate (Jr., 2B/OF); Claire Unger (Jr., 2B/OF); Emma Johnson (Jr., OF); Emmerson Kennedy (So., C/IF); Miranda Smith (So., 3B); Eden DeGeorge (So., OF).
Top newcomers: Olivia Parker (Fr., P/IF); Peyton DeHaven (Fr., C/3B/OF); Maddy Thacker (Fr., P/3B); Anna Taylor (Fr., IF); Kirsten Smith (Sr., OF/1B).
Parker’s expectations: “We will be a very young team this year with two freshmen pitchers going most of the innings this season. I feel like we will match up well and can compete with any team in the district this season. We will need our offense to produce and the defense to play solid behind our two, young freshmen pitchers.
“As a team, we will be much improved offensively and defensively compared to last year. With this team being so young, they will be forced to grow up quickly, as there aren’t any ‘gimmes’ in our district. They will need to work on their team chemistry, develop those important bonds and just work extremely hard to continue to improve as the season progresses.”
First game: Tuesday vs. James Wood
— Contact Justin Robertson at jrobertson@winchesterstar.com
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