Annual games to showcase area's H.S. softball talent
The best high school softball talent in the area will once again be on display June 9 at the annual Senior All-Star softball game.
It will actually be a pair of games as the Futures Showcase, featuring underclassmen, will kick off the night at 5 p.m. at Cory Leighty Field in Shreve, followed by a home run derby between five of the area's best sluggers.
After that, the best seniors will take the field in front of what's expected to again be a big crowd at the field on Roger Wells Parkway.
Hillsdale's Nicole Smith will coach the West seniors while Scott Hershey of Northwestern will coach the East seniors in their farewell high school performance.
The West roster is comprised of Wayne County Athletic League players: Hillsdale's Kiera Filius (P/1B), Laci Huber (C/3B), Willow Funk (OF) and Taylor Schmitz (3B); The Norwayne pair of Avery Lonsbury (1B) and Kylie Heyden (2B); Chippewa's Ava Panaciulli (SS/OF); Kendall Rising of Waynedale (1B/2B); and Smithville's ZeAnna Cyrus (P) and Caitlin Walsh-Knouff (SS).
Hershey's East squad includes pitchers Alysa Troyan and Taylor Wurst from his Northwestern team; Triway's Kenzie Gatti (C), Alyssa Hochstetler (OF) and Ashley Braunscheidel (1B); Emily Boyd (C) and Kennedy Russell (INF) of Wooster; Loudonville's Alesha Felix (3B); and the Tuslaw trio of Danica Crescenze (SS), Shaylyn Fox (LF) and Gracie Sirgo (2B).
Longtime area sports writer Josh McWilliams revived the game a few years ago. Gary Basinger, the Triway High assistant coach, now serves with McWilliams as a co-director of the all-star event, and Basinger said the talent on the field June 9 will show the development of local softball programs.
“I think the area softball is only getting better, with some high schools having club ball in the middle school grades, and the local youth programs seem to be pretty decent,” said Basinger, who helped guide Triway to the 2022 Division II state championship. “Earlier on, it was always Hillsdale (seven state titles) and Londonville (three) going or winning state. Then it was Dalton (back-to-back titles 2006-07) and Triway with state titles. That many titles says a lot about softball in the area.”
While some of the all-stars will lace up the cleats for the last time as high-schoolers, others will showcase what to expect on the diamond over the next few years in the Futures Game, featuring 24 top underclassmen.
Norwayne's Bree Gill will coach the West Futures, a squad that includes four of her Bobcats — sophomore Makenna Heyden (CF) and juniors Abby Workman (P), CJ Moore (OF/P) and Riley Gwinn (3B). The rest of the West features the Hillsdale quartet of sophomores Jordyn Fickes (OF) and Kiki McFadden (2B) and juniors Kennedy Fickes (P) and Ally Morgan Hillsdale (SS/2B); the Dalton sophomore trio of Hannah Wenger (CF), Mei Simmons (P) and Kenna Doty (C); Chippewa junior Kyleigh Gartin (3B); and Northwestern junior Kaylee Cherry (LF).
The East Futures, coached by Ava Stitzlein of Loudonville, has a blend of players from six schools including three from Tuslaw: Isabel McCune (junior, OF), Hadley Porter (freshman, C) and Kaydence Chapman (junior, OF). The rest of the roster consists of Triway's Myah Lester (junior, 3B) and Marissa Anderson (sophomore, OF); Loudonville's Helaina Gray (sophomore, 2B), Jaiden Stitzlein (P/1B) and Addison Wolford (junior, OF); Waynedale's Madi Miller (junior, C); West Holmes' Zalina Proper (junior, CF) and Briar Cline (junior, P/3B); Rittman's Carly Frame (sophomore, SS); and Wooster sophomore Sydney McAfoos (P/1B).
In between the two 7-inning games will be a home run derby. Swinging for the fences will be Makenna Heyden and Riley Gwinn of Norwayne, Hillsdale's Jordyn Fickes, Hadley Porter of Tuslaw, and Kenzie Gatti of Triway.
“I believe adding the underclassmen game and the home run derby really made this game popular,” Basinger said. “Also, Josh and I try to make it a special evening by having a food trailer, someone singing the national anthem before each game, and then letting the seniors play under the lights.”
Admission to the game is free. Sponsors of the games include Bowman Beverage; Illusions; Boots, Shoes and More; Pulp; The Commercial & Savings Bank; Letterman's Trophy; Wooster Elks; Farmer's National Bank; Swigart Braunscheidel Insurance; Jim's Automotive; and USA Softball of Ohio.