Season Preview: Softball looks to continue their success in 2015

February 25, 2015

By: Ashley Birchmeier

ADA— The Ohio Northern softball team will look to continue its success this season.

Second year head coach Ali Hess returns eight letter winners from last season's team that went 23-19 and 12-6 in Ohio Athletic Conference play and won the OAC regular season crown.

The Polar Bears are fairly young this season returning three seniors, two juniors, three sophomores, and adding 10 newcomers.

But the goals remain the same, win the OAC Regular Season and Tournament and get back to the NCAA III Tournament.

"We have a really good base for our skill level this year" said head coach Ali Hess, "Our players have been focusing in on being fundamentally sound both offensively and defensively, playing aggressively, and playing instinctually."

Here is the breakdown for the Polar Bears in 2015:

Sophomores Paige Ordean and Kirsten Burden are the lone returners for ONU to the pitching position.

Ordean will look to have continued success this season after garnering All-OAC honors as a freshman.

Burden also had a successful freshman year in the circle and will look to build on those achievements this season.

"We are looking forward to seeing Paige and Kirsten's experience from last year and maturity pay off for them this year," said head coach Ali Hess.

Newcomers Kirsten Lightel and Emma Ranney will help provide the depth that the Polar Bears need at the pitching position.

Ohio Northern returns juniors Amanda Lahti and Tessa Topp behind the plate, both who earned considerable experience last season at the position.

Lahti also earned All-Conference honors in 2014 for her play at third base.

"We expect both players to be leaders with our pitching staff and to help our two new pitchers and catchers adapt to the college game quicker," stated Hess.

The Polar Bears welcome freshman newcomers Julia Pinciotti and Leanna Henry to the catcher position.

Pinciotti and Henry also provide the skills to play various infield and outfield positions for ONU.

Senior Taylor Manahan returns as a versatile infield player for Northern, seeing time at first, second, and third last season.

"We are looking for her to bring her leadership skills to the team to elevate expectations, consistency, and production," stated Hess.

Ohio Northern also returns senior Jamie Westenkirchner to the infield who saw a majority of her time at first a year ago.

Sophomore Anna Martin and freshman Miranda Huddle and Jenna Hollar will be great utility additions in 2015 bringing the ability to play both middle infield as well as outfield for the Polar Bears.

"Jenna and Anna both have tremendous speed that will be a huge asset on the bases and on defense," said Hess. "We are excited to see the three in a variety of roles this year that will help the team be quicker in all facets."

Freshman Alli Castle, Gia Saturday, and Mady Brandon will also be great additions to the infield.

Castle will look to fill more of a utility role, as Saturday and Brandon will look to play more of the middle infield for Ohio Northern.

The Polar Bears return two outfielders this season, senior Kelly Sheridan and sophomore Megan Hupp.

Sheridan, an All-Conference and All-Region honoree, saw a majority of her time last season in left field.

The senior brings a strong presence at the plate for Northern as she hit a career best .403 last season.

Hupp also provides great plate vision, as the sophomore was a solid pinch hitter a year ago.

"I am very excited about this group of athletes as a whole," said Hess. "We have very high expectations for their contributions this season."

The Polar Bears will kickoff the season February 27 – March 7 with its annual spring break trip to Clermont, Fla.

Ohio Northern will then return home to face OAC opponent Heidelberg March 21st at the ONU Softball Field.

ONU then takes to the road to face non-conference opponent Trine (Ind.) in a double header March 24th.

Other non-conference opponents include Anderson (Ind.) April 6th and Alma (Mich.) April 23rd.

The Polar Bears will close out its regular season April 25th at Capital.