The Blanchester High School softball team, from left to right, front row, Hope Blankenbeckler, Desiree Abbott; second row, Alayna Davenport, Quynn Dawley, Niki White; third row, Riley Ledford, Tobi Tedrick, Mackenzie Blankenbeckler; back row, Logan Dawley, Lilly Bates, Jocelyn Lansing, Bailie Bare.
Alan Ledford takes over the Blanchester softball program this spring from long-time coach Jamey Grogg.
Blanchester finished 6-17 last season and 3-9 in the SBAAC National Division.
“The ladies are excited for the season and have been working hard during practice,” said Ledford.
Ledford will be assisted by Jeremy Lansing, Michael Compton and Kassidy Abney. Blanchester does not have a junior varsity team.
There are seven returning starters this season but Blanchester will have to replace the leadership and production of 2023 gradautes Mia Torres-Garcia, Lydia Peters, Sarah Pell and Emma Falgner. Peters was first team All-SBAAC last year.
Bailey Dawley, a junior last season, pitched in all 23 games last season, recording three shutouts. She is not returning this season.
Ledford said this team is “gritty” and hungry to learn and eager to win.
The top returning players are Hope Blankenbeckler, Mackenzie Blankenbeckler, Bailie Bare, Jocelyn Lansing, Quynn Dawley, Alayna Davenport and Tobi Tedrick.
Davenport hit .465 last year with 20 runs batted in and 23 runs scored. Quynn Dawley is the most experienced varsity pitcher returning but only took part in four games in the circle last season. Lansing led the Wildcats with 28 runs batted in.
Newcomers of note are Des Abbott, Lilly Bates, Riley Ledford and Logan Dawley.
The former standout BHS and Wilmington College baseball player said his team must improve its defense “4.5 errors a game last year, need to cut down dramatically.”
But if the team can do that and simply make the routine plays while throwing strikes, the Wildcats can contend in the SBAAC National Division in 2024.
March 12^Little Miami Scrim^A^5 pm
March 15^Fayetteville Scrim^A^5 pm
March 23^WB, OH ^A^11 am, 1 pm
March 25^Batavia^A^430 pm
March 26^West Clermont^A^5 pm
March 27^Williamsburg^H^430 pm
March 28^McClain^A^5 pm
April 1^Georgetown^A^430 pm
April 3^Felicity^H^430 pm
April 4^Wilmington^A^430 pm
April 5^Clermont NE^A^430 pm
April 6^Southeastern^A^11 am, 1 pm
April 8^East Clinton^H^430 pm
April 10^Bethel-Tate^H^430 pm
April 12^Clinton-Massie^H^430 pm
April 17^Williamsburg^A^430 pm
April 19^Georgetown^H^430 pm
April 20^Goshen^A^11 am, 1 pm
April 22^Felicity^A^430 pm
April 23^New Richmond^A^430 pm
April 24^Clermont NE^H^430 pm
April 26^East Clinton^A^430 pm
April 27^Washington CH^H^11 am, 1 pm
May 1^Bethel-Tate^H^430 pm
