By Stephen Smoot
The volleyball team went to the state tournament
The cheerleading squad went to the state tournament
The girls’ basketball squad went to the state tournament.
Will softball make it a four-peat of opportunities to compete for a state championship?
Last year Wildcat softball dominated all season, but saw injuries cut their season shorter than they wished. This year they return with more experience, more talent, more tough games, and more expectations.
With three seniors committed to college teams next season, perhaps expectations have never been higher.
Eric Crites, head softball coach in his second year, admits that the success of the other teams “puts the pressure on us.” That said, Crites will tell anyone that this “very successful group of girls,” many of whom played one or more of these squads, can handle it.
Under Crites, the program took major steps between his first and second seasons. He explained that in his first year, many did not know what to expect from a new coach and forewent playing softball.
“This year we have 18 out. Last year we had 12,” he stated. “The kids are really buying into it.” The numbers will allow the program to have a junior varsity team as well. “To have a successful varsity program, you have got to have a JV,” he also added, explaining that the jump from middle school directly to varsity is too much of a gap for many players.
“You don’t want to kill a kid’s confidence right off the bat,” he said.
The team returns six seniors, who form much of the core of the team in ability, experience, and heart.
One of the pillars of success will come in Avery Townsend. One of the leading scorers in West Virginia Class A basketball last season, Townsend led the team in on base percentage (.520) and runs with 35. She also topped the squad in stolen bases, her speed making her untouchable. Thirty times Townsend attempted to steal, and 30 times she reached safely.
“Once she gets on, she always finds a way to get home,” said Crites of his leadoff hitter.
Townsend committed to playing at Fairmont State University
Baylee Beachler, a commit to Division 1 Robert Morris, delivers a fearsome fastball that resulted in an earned run average of 0.89. Crites says of her that she “has a great big softball IQ” and “always wants to get better.” In the middle of the lineup, she belted nine home runs last year to lead the team. Beachler’s .438 batting average also led the squad.
Crites described her influence as a leader, even among the youngest of players. She is the first Division 1 commit in Wildcat history
A “good situational hitter (who) rarely strikes out,” Jenna Smith, a commit to Potomac State’s softball team, will usually play second, but also catch. She came in second on the team in stolen bases with 13. Crites added that “she stepped up when our other girls got hurt and pitched for the first time in four years,” doing a capable job in a pinch.
A great team has to stay solid at “the corners,” referring to third and first base. Holding down the latter is Lizzie Alt. While Alt “is an athlete who can play every position,” Crites calls her “the ultimate first baseman” because “seldom does anything get by her.” At the plate, she hit well, holding a .290 average and hitting 24 runners in.
One of the reasons why the basketball team reached the state tournament was Julia Mongold. On the diamond, she will play in the outfield where she executed a number of big plays in big games. “Her motor never stops,” says Crites. Mongold is often the unofficial dugout cheer starter, leading and motivating others with a big sense of humor and a bigger heart.
Another happy warrior senior on the Wildcat squad is Bella Lockard. As Crites described, “She has conquered” some health issues that limited her field time. Lockard “will be doing some pitching for us” as well as playing the outfield. Of her, Crites also stated, “When you need a happy or a laughing moment, she gets that accomplished.”
The junior class brings a mixture of different levels of experience, but all have innate athleticism and competitive drive.
Maddy Arbaugh appeared in 17 games last year and hit for a .300 average, scoring eight runs and picking up a double in limited action. She has height and athleticism, stealing three bases last season.
Jaden Mitts also appeared in most of the games last season. Her speed got her two stolen bases. Crites praised her work over the last two seasons “to get better” and will likely play some at first base. “She has a smile on her face every day,” noted Crites.
Carolyn Varner has spent much of the past year healing an injury suffered in volleyball her freshman season. Crites calls her an “assistant coach” because “she is always trying to help out.” Varner will step in both at first and on the pitcher’s mound.
Jameigh Miller, new to softball, served as a standout on the basketball squad. She brings strength and an athlete’s IQ to her sport. Crites said about natural athletes trying new sports that “we can teach you” the fundamentals. A player like Miller has the work ethic to develop quickly.
The sophomore class includes standouts who played cornerstone roles on the squad last season. Susan Vincell served as the southpaw complement to Beachler, achieving a 1.94 ERA. While also starting herself, Crites liked to have the right-handed Beachler and Vincell follow each other because “we were able to keep them off balance. There’s not enough innings in a game to adjust.”
Vincell can also play first.
“Jessica Parker,” Crites said, “is the kind of player who can play everywhere on the field.” She can catch, but also play infield and outfield. Parker placed third on the team with 10 stolen bases and had a .970 fielding percentage.
Molly Rowe has returned to softball after an absence of two years, but Crites said, “She has a strong bat” and is “a tremendous asset to our lineup.” Rowe will play mostly in the infield. Callie Judy, a standout on the volleyball squad, will also come off the bench at times to contribute in the infield. “She is starting to put the ball in play,” Crites stated.
Three talented freshmen round out the roster, starting with Chesnee Colaw. “She’s a strong hitting kid,” remarked Crites. He added that “she came up from middle school where she was very successful.”
Crites said that Marleigh Moyers is “a strong hitting first baseman” who “always has a good attitude” and “is very fun to be around.”
In her first year, Crites says that Lauren Sisson is “picking up softball very well” and “will be in the thick of things” on the junior varsity.
The season opened with visits to both Mineral County teams, Frankfort, then Keyser. Pendleton County will face a number of larger schools throughout the year, including double-headers against East Fairmont at 1 p.m. on Friday and Lewis County at noon on Saturday, both games at home, and then Spring Mills later in the season.