2024 LADY BUCCS SOFTBALL

2024 LADY BUCCS SOFTBALL: Sitting (L-R) - Asst. Coach Kayla McEldowney, Asst. Coach Brooke Gostomsky, Stevi Newhouse, Karyanne Turner, Zella Nickol (Manager), Kamryn Barnes, Kylie Palsgrove, Head Coach Dan Cain. Standing (L-R) - Bella Batdorf, Emalyn Johnson, Whitney Burns, Cassidy Iddings, Taylor Foutz, Jayda McClure, Elizabeth Coblentz, Ava Hartwig, Nell Rogers, Emma Ouellette.

SEASON PREVIEW:
The Covington softball program is coming off of a great season where the Lady Buccs finished 28-5, won a district title and league title and have aspirations of keeping the winning tradition going in 2024 with a relatively young roster.

“We have to replace seven starters from last years record-setting team,” said Covington coach Dan Cain. “Our roster will consist of two seniors, one junior,, six sophomores and six freshmen.”

Yes, Covington did lose a very talented senior class consisting of players who shattered program records and received national recognition, but the culture of the program maximizes the potential to reload quickly.

And the Lady Buccs have that potential beginning with seniors Karyanne Turner and Kamryn Barnes, two players who have had a huge impact over their careers.

“KT (Karyanne Turner) and Kam (Kamryn Barnes) have been starters since their freshmen year,” Cain explained. “KT in centerfield and Kam at first. Both are ideal teammates and they lead by example in everything they do. Their commitment to the program has been unmatched over the years and we are hopeful this will start rubbing off on our underclassmen sooner rather than later.”

The leadership of Tuner and Barnes will be critical in helping the younger players on the roster understand the tradition, culture and expectations of the program.

“We have a lot of young talent that will have to develop quickly for us to have the success we are used to achieving,” continued Cain. “Everyone will have to buy into whatever their role may be, understanding that role may change and probably will change as the season progresses.. At this time we are still trying to put the puzzle together on who goes where.”

Tuner and Barnes are not the only returning starters as sophomore Jayda McClure had a huge impact last season as a freshman.

“KT will roam centerfield again, Kam will be our anchor at first. and sophomore Jayda McClure can play anywhere on the field and probably will,” Cain said. “She played right field for us last year and did a great job, but she is our most versatile kid on the team right now so I will move here around a lot.”

The remainder of the roster is relatively young, but extremely talented.

“Freshmen Ava Hartwig will be are shortstop and I am confident that she will shine at that position,” continued Cain. “We have two capable catchers in junior Elizabeth Coblentz and freshmen Emalyn Johnson. Emalyn is an athlete that can play other positions as well. In the mix at third is Taylor Foutz, another sophomore who thrived in the DH role last year as a freshmen and will be counted on to be a consistent bat in our lineup this year. Jayda and Emalyn could also see time there as well. At second sophomore Nell Rogers has improved everyday in practice. She hasn’t played since seventh grade, so she is behind on some things situation wise, but is picking things up well and shows up everyday at practice ready to learn and get better. Again Jayda may get reps at second, as well as freshmen Stevi Newhouse. Outfield wise, we will have a number of girls competing for time. Jayda, Emalyn, Stevi, as well as freshmen Kylie Palsgrove and Bella Batdorf, who is only in her second year of softball. I think Kylie will be able to help us with her bat, possibly like Taylor (Foutz) did last year. Bella (Batdorf) is still learning and did a good job at first base last year in junior high. Sophomore Emma Ouellette could find herself in the outfield or at second base. She hustles and is pretty quick.”

Pitching is a huge factor in softball and the Lady Buccs have two talented players who have put in a lot of time to get themselves ready for the season.

“In the circle will be sophomore Whitney Burns and freshmen Cassidy Iddings,” said Cain. “Whit has worked hard and put the time in since last year. She took very little time off and was at all the open gyms. Now is her time. She will also be counted on to hit and play some third or outfield when not pitching. Cass missed last spring and summer with a leg injury, but has recovered well and will be a huge part of our success. So far she has proven to be one of our strongest hitters in practice and our one scrimmage. She has worked hard to get back to playing softball and it shows. She will play outfield when not pitching.”

The work ethic is there and it shows on the field which players put in so much time in the off-season.

“You can tell the difference in the girls that attended our open gyms,” Cain continued. “Right now our biggest opponent is ourselves. We have quite a few girls involved in a lot of activities that makes it hard to have consistency in practice while we are trying to put that puzzle together. Our goal as always is to compete for a league title and make a run in the tourney. We are capable of both if we can put that puzzle together.”

Several teams in Three Rivers Conference are loaded with talent – Milton-Union, Miami East and Riverside being the top tier. Playing each team in the league twice gives Covington great challenges to where the team can maximize its potential.

AVA HARTWIG MAKES FIRST TEAM ALL-OHIO

The Covington Lady Buccs softball team had a memorable season by compiling a 21-8 record and several players were rewarded with post-season honors.

2024 LADY BUCCS SOFTBALL SCHEDULE

DATE

OPPONENT

H/A

RESULT

MAR. 26
TROY CHRISTIAN
H
MAR. 28
BETHEL
A
MAR. 29
GREENVILLE
H
MAR. 30
SIDNEY (DH)
A
C
APR. 4
MILTON-UNION
A
APR. 5
LEHMAN
H
APR. 6
RUSSIA
A
APR. 9
RIVERSIDE
H
APR. 13
ANNA
H
APR. 15
MINSTER
H
APR. 16
TROY CHRISTIAN
A
APR. 18
BETHEL
H
APR. 19
NEW BREMEN
H
APR. 20
PIQUA (DH)
A
APR. 22
VERSAILLES
A
APR. 23
NORTHRIDGE
A
APR. 24
MIAMI EAST
A
APR. 25
MILTON-UNION
H
APR. 26
LEHMAN
A
APR. 29
MIAMI EAST
H
APR. 30
RIVERSIDE
A
MAY 1
NORTHRIDGE
H
MAY 4
XENIA (COVINGTON CLASSIC)
FAIRBORN
H

SECTIONAL

MAY 7
BRADFORD
H
MAY 9
HOUSTON
H
MAY 15
NEWTON
H

DISTRICT

MAY 18
FORT LORAMIE @ VERSAILLES
A

2024 COVINGTON LADY BUCCS

Karyanne Turner - SR
Kamryn Barnes - SR
Elizabeth Coblentz - JR
Whitney Burns - SO
Taylor Foutz - SO
Nell Rogers - SO
Jayda McClure - SO
Emma Ouellette - SO
Stevi Newhouse - FR
Kylie Palsgrove - FR
Emalyn Johnson - FR
Cassidy Iddings - FR
Bella Batdorf - FR
Ava Hartwig - FR
Coaches (L-R) - Brooke Gostomsky, Head Coach Dan Cain, Kayla McEldowney