MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College head softball coach Jenn Castle returns a wealth of experience in 2026 as the Pioneers look for a return to the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament.  Marietta returns six starters to the lineup and all but one pitcher from last year's team that finished 20-15-1.
 
"We have a good solid core back from last year," Castle said. "Despite our youth with only two seniors on the roster, we have experience at every position and have matured immensely from a year ago."
 
The Pioneers must replace All-American first baseman Rachel Kazmirski (Colliers, W.Va./Brooke), starting second baseman Jordan Cholley (North Canton, Ohio/Glenoak), starting outfielder Taylor Airy (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman), and pitcher Amelia Timko (Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick). Kazmirski, a four-time All-OAC performer, led the Pioneers with a .489 batting average last spring. Cholley started 23 games and fielded .949 in the middle infield. Airy batted .297 with five doubles and 18 runs batted in. Timko was 3-1 as a spot starter and reliever out of the bullpen.
 
"Despite the hard winter, we are ahead of the game compared to past years with the new turf field. We were able to get outside on days we would have never been able to get on the field in the past," Castle said. "Being able to get on the field and play real softball, not indoor softball, will pay dividends early in the season."
 
In addition to the losses of last year's seniors, the Pioneers will be without the services of ace pitcher Camryn Kiefer (Massillon, Ohio/Tuslaw) to start the season. Kiefer is recovering from an off-season surgery. She posted a 14-7 record with three saves and a 3.01 earned run average a year ago. Kiefer led the OAC in saves, ranked second in strikeouts and third in wins and innings pitched in 2025.
 
Castle will look to senior Aiyana Hancock (Marietta, Ohio/Warren Local) to handle the top spot in the rotation in Kiefer's absence. The senior was 2-3 with a 5.43 earned run average and 30 strikeouts in 38.2 innings.
 
Junior Candace Walters (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy), sophomores Emma Cozza (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Brecksville Broadview Heights) and Violet Ellerbrock (Clinton, Ohio/Canton Central Catholic), and freshman Kylie Cobb (Oxford, Ohio/Talawanda) round out the 2026 pitching staff. Walters went 1-1 with two saves last spring. Cozza was 0-2, while Ellerbrock didn't see any varsity innings in the circle. Cobb was an All-Ohio pitcher at Talawanda High School in Oxford, Ohio.
 
"Aiyana wants the ball and is ready to have her best year yet," Castle said. "Candace is ready to set up and take on a bigger role, while Emma does a great job of keeping batters off balance. Violet and Kylie will work primarily out of the bull pen."
 
Handling the pitchers will be two catchers with a ton of playing experience. Junior Liz White (North Royalton, Ohio/North Royalton) and sophomore Katie Sweeney (Alexandria, N.H./Newfound Regional) both return after strong 2025 seasons. Sweeney's emergence as a solid catcher allowed Castle to utilize White in the outfield some last spring. This year, it will free up White to play some first base in place of the graduated Kazmirski.
 
White, one of the toughest OAC batters to strikeout in each of the last two seasons, batted .429 and led the Pioneers with 15 doubles and 37 runs scored last year. Her 15 doubles tied for the OAC lead earning her first team All-OAC honors. Sweeney hit .267 with five doubles and two home runs as a freshman.
 
Freshman Allie Sheen (Tipp City, Ohio/Bethel) and Alliyah Alberto (Elyria, Ohio/Elyria) will add depth behind the plate. Both were first team all-league players in high school and possess good bats and can play multiple positions.
 
Castle has several options to replace Kazmirski at first base. In addition to White, junior Adisson Heath (Weston, W.Va./Lewis County) and sophomore Becca Streets (Buckeye Lake, Ohio/Hebron Lakewood) could see time at first. Heath was Marietta's designated player last year and earned All-OAC honorable mention honors after batting .357 with six doubles, three home runs, and 211 runs batted in. Streets was the starting third baseman last year and hit .349 with 10 doubles and 25 RBI.
 
After missing most of 2025 with injuries, Kenzi Denzer (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville) will get the nod to replace Cholley at second base. The sophomore brings a solid glove and high softball IQ to the middle infield. She will be joined in the middle by returning starter Mallory Gorgacz (Edinburg, Pa./Union Area) at shortstop. Gorgacz field .926 last year and despite being a sophomore, plays like an upperclassman in the infield.
 
If Streets isn't in the lineup at first base, she will start at the hot corner. Also in the mix at third base is junior Erin Beeber (Fairfield, Ohio/Badin) and Alberto. Beeber has one of the best gloves on the team and can play any of the infield positions.
 
Castle has plenty of options, and speed, in the outfield. Senior Camryn Campbell (Ontario, Ohio/Lexington) is back after missing most of last year with an injury. The speedy Campbell was hitting .324 when she got injured. Junior Grace Elliott (Akron, Ohio/Green) batted .310 with three triples last spring. Sophomore Emilie Johnson (Lucasville, Ohio/Valley) made 22 starts and hit .344 with three triples a year ago.
 
In addition to those three, White played significant innings in the outfield and Hancock hit .474 in limited at bats. Ellerbrock and sophomore Jocelyn Grassman (Perrysville, Ohio/Loudonville) could also see time in the outfield. Freshman Lauren Musgrove (Dillsboro, Ind./South Dearborn) is also in the mix.
 
Marietta opens the season with 12 games in the Florida Sunshine at the Space Coast Spring games. The Pioneers take on Wisconsin-Superior on Saturday (Mar. 7) to start the season.
 
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 X and Instagram.