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LANCASTER – It could be a banner year for area softball teams this season, especially for Liberty Union, Bloom-Carroll and Lancaster.
All three of those teams made deep tournament runs a year ago, and all three teams return the bulk of their talented lineups. The expectations couldn’t be any higher.
Here is a closer look at those three teams.
Liberty Union won its first-ever state championship in 2024 in Division IV and returned to the state title game in 2025, finishing as Division V state runners-up. The Lions finished 29-2 and won a share of the Mid-State League-Buckeye Division championship, as well.
More: Mowery was masterful, but Lancaster fell short in an extra-inning, heartbreaking loss
More: Back for more: Inside Liberty Union softball’s shot at two state titles in a row
Even though the Lions have reached the state title game the last two seasons, they are still playing the underdog role, and that’s the way Liberty Union coach Shaun Hochradel likes it.
Like most teams that reach the state tournament and have tons of success, it starts in the circle, and Liberty Union has, maybe, the best one-two punch in the state in senior Suzie Schultz and sophomore Eden Wilson.
Shultz was in the circle the last two years, winning the state title game when she was a sophomore, and she started last year’s title game. Wilson came on in relief in last year’s title-game loss against Wheelersburg. Both are also outstanding hitters.
Schultz went 17-2 a year ago with 169 strikeouts in 93 innings pitched and finished with a 1.66 earned run average. She was named the MSL-Buckeye Division Pitcher of the Year. At the plate, Schultz hit .459 with seven home runs and 44 RBIs.
Wilson made an immediate impact as a freshman. She went 11-0 and had four saves and finished with a 2.00 ERA. In 84 innings pitched, she recorded 148 strikeouts. Offensively, she finished with a .462 batting average with eight doubles, six home runs, 32 RBIs and scored 24 runs.
While Schultz and Wilson are the headliners, the Lions also return several other talented players. Junior Haedan Brunty returns in the outfield. She had a .450 batting average a year ago with 45 hits, nine doubles, 35 RBIs and 44 runs scored.
Junior Alexis McCoy moves into the starting shortstop role. Senior Emilyn Kanet, a three-year starting catcher, is also back. Sophomore Ryleigh Brown, who had a .424 batting average, including nine doubles, four home runs and 20 RBIs in a limited role a year ago, should make a bigger impact and add another huge bat to the lineup.
Adding depth will be seniors Lacy Hayes and Relynn Bader, junior Cobie Weaver and sophomore Hanna Leith. Freshman Izzy Schultz has moved into the starting job at third base and already made her presence felt.
“Our mantra for 2026 is 'empty the bucket,'” Hochradel said. “Essentially, we are asking every player to figure out a way to create value for our team and not allow any situation they face to define their limits. We have talent returning in the circle and are excited to see the growth in the field and at the plate. We will trust the process and see where that takes us this year.”
Bloom-Carroll went 25-4 a year ago, shared the MSL-Buckeye Division title with Liberty Union, won a district championship and was one win away from reaching the state tournament before falling short in the regional championship game.
The Bulldogs were a hitting machine, scoring 317 runs on 378 hits and hitting 32 home runs as a team in 2025.
Most of the Bulldogs' lineup returns, led by four-year starter Madelyn Gates, who was the Central District Player of the Year while earning first team All-Ohio honors. She had a 25-game hitting streak and finished the season with 68 hits and only struck out once in 128 plate appearances.
Senior Maddi Walters, another four-year starter, returns to the circle. She heads into this year with 353 career strikeouts. Junior Emma Brandt, a three-year starter, will share duties in the circle once again with Walters and provide a huge, powerful bat in the lineup.
Other key returners include Addy Brown, Jaiden Sharrow, Kaitlyn Stonerock, Hayden Hubner, Gabby Johnson, Madison Kellet and a pair of freshmen, Lilly Schimmell and Hayden Pyles.
“We made it far last season but didn’t get the outcome we wanted, so we have a chip on our shoulder,” Bloom-Carroll coach Chris Lucas said. “We’re coming back this season for vengeance and to go all the way, and we have the skill and talent for it.”
After knocking on the door for so many years, Lancaster was finally able to break through and make its first-ever state tournament appearance. The standard has been set, but the Lady Gales, who relied on the strong arm of Ashlin Mowery a year ago, will have to do it a different way this season. But one thing's for sure, they have enough talent returning to make another deep tournament run.
Coming off a 29-3 record, Lancaster will be led by a talented group of seniors, with catcher Kendall Brown leading the way. Brown, a four-year starter, provides great defense and a huge bat in the lineup. She earned All-Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division and Central District first-team honors and was honorable mention All-Ohio.
Kileigh Rohr will step into the circle to replace Mowery. Hailey Rings, Lana Prince, Mia Griggs and JoJo Sheets are all returning starters. Senior Hannah Smith, Alieya Garner and Mackenzie Hedrock will take on bigger roles this season, while Alleigh Chevalier and Harmony Cox will add depth. Freshman Julia Carsman is a huge addition, and three other freshmen — Reese Hughes, Billie Merckle-Hunt and Katie Hunt — should play a part, as well.
“Excitement is high, expectations are high, and we are looking forward to another great season with lots of great leadership,” Lancaster coach Allison Kinniard said.
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at [email protected] for comments or story tips. Follow him on X at twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Loaded with talent, LU, B-C and Lancaster could have banner seasons
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All three of those teams made deep tournament runs a year ago, and all three teams return the bulk of their talented lineups. The expectations couldn’t be any higher.
Here is a closer look at those three teams.
Lions looking to reach the summit again
Liberty Union won its first-ever state championship in 2024 in Division IV and returned to the state title game in 2025, finishing as Division V state runners-up. The Lions finished 29-2 and won a share of the Mid-State League-Buckeye Division championship, as well.
More: Mowery was masterful, but Lancaster fell short in an extra-inning, heartbreaking loss
More: Back for more: Inside Liberty Union softball’s shot at two state titles in a row
You must be registered for see images attach
Even though the Lions have reached the state title game the last two seasons, they are still playing the underdog role, and that’s the way Liberty Union coach Shaun Hochradel likes it.
Like most teams that reach the state tournament and have tons of success, it starts in the circle, and Liberty Union has, maybe, the best one-two punch in the state in senior Suzie Schultz and sophomore Eden Wilson.
Shultz was in the circle the last two years, winning the state title game when she was a sophomore, and she started last year’s title game. Wilson came on in relief in last year’s title-game loss against Wheelersburg. Both are also outstanding hitters.
Schultz went 17-2 a year ago with 169 strikeouts in 93 innings pitched and finished with a 1.66 earned run average. She was named the MSL-Buckeye Division Pitcher of the Year. At the plate, Schultz hit .459 with seven home runs and 44 RBIs.
Wilson made an immediate impact as a freshman. She went 11-0 and had four saves and finished with a 2.00 ERA. In 84 innings pitched, she recorded 148 strikeouts. Offensively, she finished with a .462 batting average with eight doubles, six home runs, 32 RBIs and scored 24 runs.
While Schultz and Wilson are the headliners, the Lions also return several other talented players. Junior Haedan Brunty returns in the outfield. She had a .450 batting average a year ago with 45 hits, nine doubles, 35 RBIs and 44 runs scored.
Junior Alexis McCoy moves into the starting shortstop role. Senior Emilyn Kanet, a three-year starting catcher, is also back. Sophomore Ryleigh Brown, who had a .424 batting average, including nine doubles, four home runs and 20 RBIs in a limited role a year ago, should make a bigger impact and add another huge bat to the lineup.
Adding depth will be seniors Lacy Hayes and Relynn Bader, junior Cobie Weaver and sophomore Hanna Leith. Freshman Izzy Schultz has moved into the starting job at third base and already made her presence felt.
“Our mantra for 2026 is 'empty the bucket,'” Hochradel said. “Essentially, we are asking every player to figure out a way to create value for our team and not allow any situation they face to define their limits. We have talent returning in the circle and are excited to see the growth in the field and at the plate. We will trust the process and see where that takes us this year.”
Can the Bulldogs take it one step further?
Bloom-Carroll went 25-4 a year ago, shared the MSL-Buckeye Division title with Liberty Union, won a district championship and was one win away from reaching the state tournament before falling short in the regional championship game.
The Bulldogs were a hitting machine, scoring 317 runs on 378 hits and hitting 32 home runs as a team in 2025.
You must be registered for see images attach
Most of the Bulldogs' lineup returns, led by four-year starter Madelyn Gates, who was the Central District Player of the Year while earning first team All-Ohio honors. She had a 25-game hitting streak and finished the season with 68 hits and only struck out once in 128 plate appearances.
Senior Maddi Walters, another four-year starter, returns to the circle. She heads into this year with 353 career strikeouts. Junior Emma Brandt, a three-year starter, will share duties in the circle once again with Walters and provide a huge, powerful bat in the lineup.
Other key returners include Addy Brown, Jaiden Sharrow, Kaitlyn Stonerock, Hayden Hubner, Gabby Johnson, Madison Kellet and a pair of freshmen, Lilly Schimmell and Hayden Pyles.
“We made it far last season but didn’t get the outcome we wanted, so we have a chip on our shoulder,” Bloom-Carroll coach Chris Lucas said. “We’re coming back this season for vengeance and to go all the way, and we have the skill and talent for it.”
Can the Lady Gales get back to Akron?
After knocking on the door for so many years, Lancaster was finally able to break through and make its first-ever state tournament appearance. The standard has been set, but the Lady Gales, who relied on the strong arm of Ashlin Mowery a year ago, will have to do it a different way this season. But one thing's for sure, they have enough talent returning to make another deep tournament run.
You must be registered for see images attach
Coming off a 29-3 record, Lancaster will be led by a talented group of seniors, with catcher Kendall Brown leading the way. Brown, a four-year starter, provides great defense and a huge bat in the lineup. She earned All-Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division and Central District first-team honors and was honorable mention All-Ohio.
Kileigh Rohr will step into the circle to replace Mowery. Hailey Rings, Lana Prince, Mia Griggs and JoJo Sheets are all returning starters. Senior Hannah Smith, Alieya Garner and Mackenzie Hedrock will take on bigger roles this season, while Alleigh Chevalier and Harmony Cox will add depth. Freshman Julia Carsman is a huge addition, and three other freshmen — Reese Hughes, Billie Merckle-Hunt and Katie Hunt — should play a part, as well.
“Excitement is high, expectations are high, and we are looking forward to another great season with lots of great leadership,” Lancaster coach Allison Kinniard said.
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at [email protected] for comments or story tips. Follow him on X at twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Loaded with talent, LU, B-C and Lancaster could have banner seasons
Continue reading...
