The Clinton-Massie softball team, from left to right, front row, Liv Ward, Maddie Ward, Emma Crombie, Sydney Doyle; back row, Haley Hinkle, Kylie Chavez, Brylie Green, Laila Davis, Izzy Penewit, Stormie Stroud, Karlie Goodin, Alyssa Sandlin. Team member Madi Courson was not present for the team photo.
Clinton-Massie will need several players to step up this season in order to improve on last year’s pitching and overall hitting.
The Falcons gave up more than 10 earned runs a game last season while scoring at just over seven runs a game.
“Pitching will be a focus for us during the season this year,” head coach Brandon Lewis said. “We will have to improve on our team batting stats to keep us in more games.”
Lewis enters his third season with the Falcons. He’ll be assisted by Nick Sandlin.
The Falcons were 6-12 last season and 1-9 in the SBAAC American Division.
Seven of the eight returning players were starters last season, including SBAAC American Division Player of the Year Sydney Doyle.
As a sophomore last year, Doyle was a mind-boggling 40 for 61 at the plate with five homers, 29 runs batted in, 33 runs scored, eight doubles, five triples and 15 stolen bases. Doyle was second All-Ohio.
Laila Davis also returns and hit .450 last year with 28 RBI.
Lewis said several freshmen are expected to do “big things” for the Falcons this season, including Alyssa Sandlin, Haley Hinkle, Izzy Penewit, Karlie Gooden and Kylie Chavez.
The Falcons lost two players to graduation, McKenna Branham and Whitney Neeley.
”We will be relying on our seniors and juniors to take an active leadership role this year,” said Lewis. “We will play a lot of freshman so it will be important for the upperclass players to mentor, communicate and help set the expectations.”
Lewis likes the mix of newcomers and veterans on the team.
“This season will be a building year for the team,” the coach said. “We have a good mix of players and just need to get the experience playing together.”
If the team comes together, Lewis is confident in the outcome.
“As a team we definitely want to improve upon the year we had last year,” he said. “We have a tough conference that is getting better across the board so will be important to make the necessary improvements each day.
“Really excited to see how we stack up this year in a strong conference. Most excited to watch the Massie girls continue to grow as a team and in their daily performances.”
March 12^Clermont NE Scrim^A^430 pm
March 18^Whiteoak Scrim^H^430 pm
March 19^Franklin Scrim^H^5 pm
March 20^McClain Scrim^A^430 pm
March 25^Fayetteville^H^5 pm
March 26^Waynesville^A^5 pm
March 27^Western Brown^A^430 pm
March 29^Bethel-Tate^H^430 pm
March 30^Leesburg^A^11 am
April 1^Wilmington^H^430 pm
April 3^New Richmond^A^430 pm
April 4^Miami Trace^H^5 pm
April 6^Reading Inv^A^TBA
April 8^Goshen^A^430 pm
April 10^Batavia^H^430 pm
April 12^Blanchester^A^430 pm
April 15^Clermont NE^H^430 pm
April 17^Western Brown^H^430 pm
April 18^Hillsboro^A^5 pm
April 19^East Clinton^H^430 pm
April 20^WalnHills, Urs^SCD^11 am, 1 pm
April 22^Wilmington^A^430 pm
April 23^Trotwood-Madison^A^5 pm
April 24^Eastern^H^5 pm
April 25^Bellbrook^H^5 pm
April 26^New Richmond^H^430 pm
April 27^Leesburg^A^11 am, 1 pm
April 29^Goshen^H^430 pm
May 1^Batavia^A^430 pm
May 3^Greeneview^A^5 pm
