Edison looks to repeat in loaded Bay

To say there is softball talent returning in the Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division would be an understatement. Twenty-three of the 29 all-league picks from last year are back this spring. And that doesn't include Cassidy Lane, a dominating right-hander pitcher for Margaretta who missed most of the 2025 season with an injury. Edison won last year's league title with a 21-8 overall record, going an unblemished 10-0 in league contests. The Chargers return five first-team selections while Huron has two returning. In addition to Lane being healthy, the Polar Bears have one first-team pick and four second-team picks back. The softball season starts Saturday. A look at the six Bay Division teams in alphabetical order: EDISON The Chargers are poised for a big season once again. Edison had just one senior last year in Ivy Kluding and return some big bats. Peyton Taylor had more than 50 runs batted in for the Chargers while pitcher Abby Cloud knocked in more than 40. Also back for Edison's offense is Natalie Desautels, Stella Brown, Macari Harris and Lariah McMinn. In the circle, Cloud, who was the co-Most Outstanding Performer in the league last year, took the ball in every big-time game for the Chargers. Jordyn Perry and McMinn provide some depth for Edison in the circle. "We expect to compete for the SBC Bay Division title and make a strong run in tournament play," Edison coach Jason Caponi said. "Our strengths on offense are we expect it to come from top to bottom in our lineup. "We have a lot of speed and power in our lineup, and as long as the girls can perform up to their potential we should be very successful." HURON The Tigers finished 17-9 last year, going 8-2 in league play. Huron will be young, with just one senior. The Tigers return first-team league pick Lucy Hinners, a junior, to their infield. Also back for Huron is sophomore outfielder Adelyn VanSickle (first team), junior pitcher Madison Holeman (second team), sophomore infielder Reece Hotz (second team), junior infielder Rylie Dehn (second team) and the team's lone senior, infielder Kaylee Albrycht (honorable mention). "I've been really impressed with the effort and work ethic the team has shown so far, and that gives me a lot of confidence moving forward," Huron coach Jude Schmidt said. "I'm excited to see how this group develops and can't wait to get the season underway. "We know we play in a very tough conference, which means we have to stay locked in and intentional with every practice and every game." MARGARETTA The Polar Bears took their lumps last year, going 8-16 overall and 4-6 in league play under first-year coach Mike Williamson. When star pitcher Cassidy Lane was injured just a few games into the season, Margaretta had to roll with inexperienced freshman Eli Grime in the circle. Grime got stronger as the year went on and Lane is back in the circle for the Bears, who look to get back to their winning ways. "We are very young again this year, even younger than last year with only two seniors," Williamson said. "Offensively, we need to cut down on strikeouts and put the ball in play. Defensively, we have to cut back on errors and be strong up the middle. "Pitching-wise, we need to cut down on walks per game from last year. If we can do that, we will be competitive." Lane made only five appearances, throwing 22 1/3 innings. She tallied 32 strikeouts, picking up an early-season win over Bellevue before five scoreless innings against Division VII state runner-up Monroeville. Sophomore Ellaynah Schaefer was a first-team league pick in the outfield while sophomore Grime (pitcher), junior Brooke Hastings (catcher), sophomore Lucy Edwards (infield) and senior Ellianna Young (infield) were second-team picks. PORT CLINTON The Redskins had a small senior class last year, going 12-12 overall and 6-4 in the league. But that group included Ashton Sanchez and Olivia Emerson, who were pivotal parts for Port Clinton. Sanchez threw all but eight innings in the circle for the Redskins while hitting .520 with seven home runs and 27 RBI. She was second in runs batted in to Emerson, who tallied 29 to go with six home runs. The Redskins will look to sophomore Jae Mazur (37 runs scored, 31 hits, 12 RBI) and senior Gabriella Howard (22 hits, 10 RBI) this season. Senior Marissa Frohne will get the first look in the circle to replace Sanchez. "This year's team will be a good blend of veterans and younger girls," PC coach Ryan Wiechman said. "We have some four-year starters returning along with some girls who got experience last year on varsity and we'll have a freshman catcher. Defense will be the key to how successful we are this year. "We have a great senior pitcher in Marissa Frohne and she will keep us in games. Our defense has to help her out by making plays." VERMILION Wins were hard to come by last season for the Sailors, who were 1-18 overall and 1-9 in league play. Vermilion gave up 15 or more runs 15 times, putting the Sailors at a decided disadvantage. The only player from Vermilion who received league honors was Abby Gawry, a second-team selection at outfield. She is back for her senior season, hoping to lead the Sailors to more wins and a more competitive season. "I think we will see a significant improvement from last season," Vermilion coach Tony LaRizza said. "Although, we will have some growing pains since we are so young. We have eight freshmen on the team and several will make a significant contribution this season. "The middle of our batting order will be the strongest part of our team. Our pitching will be much improved as well." WILLARD Former coach Jason Ratliff is back to coach the Crimson Flashes, who were 3-19 last season overall and 1-9 in league play. Willard had one first-team pick last season in outfielder Lauren Hamons, but she graduated. Hamons led the team in hits, RBI, home runs and doubles. The Flashes did have a pair of honorable mention selections in Ava Deel (pitcher) and Emma Steinmetz (outfield), who are both seniors. Deel did the majority of the pitching for Willard, but senior Natalie Slone, sophomore Elisabeth McNamara and junior Brooklyn Irvine each saw time in the circle. "I'm really looking forward to working with this group," Ratliff said. "The players have come in with great attitudes and have been very willing to work and learn. "Any time you take over a team, there's a little bit of a learning curve for everyone, but the girls have done a great job buying into what we're trying to build." ----------- Returning All-SBC Bay selections First team Pitcher: Abby Cloud, Edison Catcher: Macari Harris, Edison Infield: Peyton Taylor, Edison; Stella Brown, Edison; Lucy Hinners, Huron Outfield: Natalie Desautels, Edison; Adelyn VanSickle, Huron; Ellaynah Schaefer, Margaretta Second team Pitcher: Madison Holeman, Huron; Eli Grime, Margaretta Catcher: Brooke Hastings, Margaretta Infield: Reece Hotz, Huron; Lucy Edwards, Margaretta; Rylie Dehn, Huron; Ellianna Young, Margaretta Outfield: Abby Gawry, Vermilion Honorable mention Pitcher: Ava Deel, Willard Catcher: Jae Mazur, Port Clinton Infield: Kaylee Albrycht, Huron; Natalie Slone, Willard; Lariah McMinn, Edison; Gabriella Howard, Port Clinton Outfield: Emma Steinmetz, Willard