New London embracing FC challenges

NEW LONDON — Emilee Rowland knows it will be a challenge. But that will also go both ways in the Firelands Conference this spring. "We're excited to play all those good teams," said Rowland, New London's ace pitcher. "We know it will be a challenge for us — and them." A senior, Rowland and her sister, Madison, have been anchors as New London ascends back up the FC standings in recent years. The Wildcats won 82 straight Firelands Conference games from 2008-14 and were still steady winners through 2018. New London was just 2-19 overall and 2-12 in the FC in 2021. In that season, the FC had four teams win 15-to-22 games, respectively. The Wildcats improved to 9-12 (5-9 FC) in 2022, then jumped to 14-9 overall and 8-6 in the FC a year ago. Eventual champion Monroeville — which has averaged 22 wins per season for the last five years — won by a run over consecutive days against the Wildcats, 2-1 and 3-2. The 'Cats also took losses of 6-4 and 5-3 in FC play to deny them a chance to compete for the title down the stretch. New London was one of four teams to win 14 or more games last season, while six of the eight teams finished 7-7 or better in 2023. To get back on top of the FC for the first time since 2015, the Wildcats will again have to go through Monroeville, Crestview, South Central and Mapleton among others. "It's going to be a tall task for everyone," New London head coach Joe Thomas said. "The Firelands Conference is very tough. Crestview and Monroeville have been dominant for years, South Central has been strong the last several years — and we're right up there with all of them. "Mapleton is another team we'll have to compete with. They have some athletes and they just showed that by beating Monroeville last week. It's not an easy conference anywhere you look, and I think Aaron (Kalizewski) is doing a great job of building up St. Paul, too. I'm really proud to be in this conference as far as softball goes." Junior catcher Madison Rowland returns as an All-FC first team selection in 2023. She batted .507 with three doubles, two triples, five home runs and had 24 RBIs and scored 31 runs. She's off to a hot start this spring, batting 8 for 11 (.727) with two doubles, one triple, three RBIs and six runs scored. Meanwhile, Emilee — headed to NCAA Division II Ashland University — returns after going 14-8 with a 2.05 ERA in 2023. She struck out 199 batters and walked 35 in 136 ⅓ innings of work. At the plate, Emilee also hit .313 with two doubles, one triple, three home runs and 21 RBIs This season, Emilee is 3-0 in the circle with a 2.33 earned run average for the Wildcats. She has struck out 33 and walked five in 21 innings. "She's really pitching well," Thomas said of Emilee. "I know we're only three games into the season, but she controls errors, she's doing a great job and her defense behind her is phenomenal." Gracie Thomas (5 for 11, two doubles, two RBIs) is at first base and Jocelyn Speicher is at second, while Tara Davidson is at third. Laila Rollin (5 for 8) is at shortstop. Last season, Gracie hit .365 with eight doubles and 21 RBIs. Olivia Yetter, Raeann Mitchell and Pailee Wilson make up the outfield from left to right. A year ago, Mitchell batted .318 with three doubles and seven RBIs, while Wilson hit .308 with six doubles and drove in 15. Mitchell is 6 for 12 (.500) with three doubles, four RBIs and six runs in the first three games, while Wilson is 4 for 6 with three doubles and a home run. "This is just my opinion, but we have probably the best centerfielder in the area with Raeann," Thomas said. As a while, the Wildcats have scored 18 runs in their first three games. Coach Thomas said that may not be enough. "Honestly, I'd like to see a little more, I would," he said. "Crestview is putting up some crazy numbers right now with Kesney and Patton and they are the team to beat right now. "We're going to have to put the ball in play a little bit more; cut down on the strikeouts, but that'll come. We're three games into a long season." Thomas credits the fall and winter success for carrying over to the spring. New London went 13-10 (7-7 FC) in volleyball, where Wilson was a first team FC selection. In basketball, the 'Cats were 20-5 overall and a perfect 14-0 in the FCwith Emilee Rowland on the first team and Mitchell on the second team. "We have a lot of athletes on our team who are winners," Thomas said. "We have girls who have been successful in the volleyball and basketball programs, and I think it's carrying over. "We don't expect to lose, we expect to win every game we go into."