MARIETTA, Ohio — For the first time in more than three decades there is a new person at the helm of the Marietta College softball program. Former Pioneer assistant coach
Jenn Castle takes the reigns from veteran skipper Jeanne Arbuckle in 2019 and welcomes back 11 letter winners from last year's team that went 16-20 overall and 8-20 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
"We just want to continue the tradition of Marietta College softball and the legacy that Coach Arbuckle established," Castle said. "We want to get back to the OAC Championship and make it a consistent achievement."
With only two seniors on the roster this spring, the Pioneers are a relatively young team, but one with plenty of experience. Marietta returns all but one starter from the lineup and the entire pitching staff from a year ago.
The pitching staff will be comprised of four returning sophomores and a trio of freshmen.
Jackie Mulvain (Warren, Ohio/Champion) and
Maddi Liston (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central) were the primary starting pitchers last spring. Mulvain made 17 starts and posted a 7-6 record and a 5.39 earned run average in 89.2 innings pitched. Liston started 15 games and went 4-9 with a 5.00 ERA in 85.1 innings.
Hannah Richardson (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville Central) appeared in 24 games, making four starts in the circle, and was 4-4 with one save and a 5.18 ERA in 51.1 innings of work.
Kara Stults (Norton, Ohio/Norton) saw limited in action out of the bullpen.
"We have been working hard on location and dominating the corners," Castle said. "Jackie, Maddi and Hannah are all improved over last year and Kara is going to surprise some people out of the bullpen. Our freshmen have been throwing well and will be a good compliment to the staff we have returning."
Newcomers
Ashton Helmke (Defiance, Ohio/Tinora),
Airyanna Maurer (Marysville, Ohio/Marysville) and
Megan Gummere (Granville, Ohio/Granville) will all see plenty of time in the circle this spring.
Junior
Alyssa Cook (Akron, Ohio/Ellet) returns for her third season at catcher. The honorable mention All-OAC performer in 2018 is one of the top defensive catchers in the region. Cook hit .336 with five doubles and 24 runs batted in a year ago. Sophomores
Courtney Shine (Carrollton, Ohio/Carrollton) and
Jordan Pallay (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Bradley) could also see time behind the plate.
"When I think about leadership, Alyssa is who I look to. She is someone that we can depend on day in and day out," Castle said. "We trust her to step up in key situations and she is the catalyst for our program."
Erin Miller (Woodsfield, Ohio/Monroe Central) returns at first base. The junior hit .241 with one home run and 17 RBI last season. Gummere and fellow freshman
Makayla Cordle (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) will battle for playing time with Miller.
"Erin has grown so much from last season and she is hitting out of her shoes right now," Castle said. "Megan brings a big bat and is someone we would like to get into the lineup."
The middle infield returns intact with senior
Reagan Tom (Chandlersville, Ohio/Philo) at second base and junior
Maicy Kirk (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) at shortstop. Tom led the Pioneers with a .372 batting average and 10 doubles last spring, while Kirk hit .204 with 13 RBI.
Sophomore
Kaitlin Shine (Carrollton, Ohio/Carrollton) and freshmen
Abby Lewis (Delaware, Ohio/Delaware Hayes) and
Natalie Payton (St. Marys, W.Va./St. Marys) give the Pioneers depth up the middle.
"Reagan is someone who will do whatever you ask her to do. She brings stability to out infield," Castle said. "Maicy looks better than ever with her glove work. Our pitchers should feel very confident that nothing will get by our middle infield."
Junior
Lauren Rockocy (North Royalton, Ohio/North Royalton) was Marietta's everyday third baseman last year, but she will move back into the outfield this season. Pallay will get the nod at the hot corner. A first team All-OAC and second team All-Region designated player in 2018, Pallay hit .350 with nine home runs and 37 RBI.
"Jordan has such a routine and methodical approach to hitting and I love that about her," Castle said. "She thrives under pressure and has looked great this winter."
Senior
Mackenzie Marshall (Sardis, Ohio/River) could see time at third base or as the Pioneers' designated player. She hit .143 in limited at bats last season. Freshman
Kylie Daugherty (Newport, Ohio/Frontier) provides additional depth at third base.
"Mackenzie has improved her game all around," Castle said. "She has been working on some mechanical things to get her timing down and is the prime candidate for the DP spot."
Rockocy will move into centerfield after hitting .316 with two home runs and 13 RBI a year ago. Sophomores
Ashley Tschudy (New Philadelphia, Ohio/Indian Valley) and
Kayla Alderson (Houston, Pa./Chartiers-Houston) will flank Rockocy in left and right field, respectively. Tschudy hit .330 with eight doubles and 16 RBI, while Alderson batted .297 with nine doubles and 16 RBI last year.
Sophomore
Britnee Kail (Dover, Ohio/Dover) can play any of the outfield positions and classmate
Kaitlyn Carpenter (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North) brings great foot speed to the outfield defense. Payton and fellow freshman
Taylor Watts (Galloway, Ohio/West Jefferson) will also see time in the outfield.
"We feel really good about our swings," Castle added. "We have been lucky to be able to get out on the field where we can see our ball flight. We are working hard on driving in more runs this season with extra base hits."
Marietta opens the season with a 12-game southern trip to play in the PFX Spring Games in Kissimmee, Florida. The home opener is set for March 23 against Baldwin Wallace.
Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.
