By Michael Marts, The Report
TRENTON — The Edgewood High School softball team is hoping to rebound after a 9-17 season. Senior infielder Kaylynn Spencer has high hopes for the team this year.
“We definitely could have done better [last season] but now that we are outside and on the field, we are going 110% every single day getting ready for the season,” Spencer said.
This is the Cougars’ first year in the SWBL after 11 years in the SWOC. Last year the team finished 4th in the SWOC. Coach Wayne Henson is entering his second season and doesn’t have an opinion on the change.
“I was only the head coach in the SWOC for one season before the change,” Henson said. “So for me personally at this point I don’t like or dislike the change — I like Edgewood Softball. The SWBL is our home now and we got work to do.”
Regardless of the league change for the Cougars, Spencer has one particular goal on her mind.
“We haven’t gotten to experience much just because we have yet to play our first game,” Spencer said. “But we are treating it just like last year. It doesn’t matter who we play or where we play. … We are going to have that SWBL championship title.”
Even in the new league to get that goal the Cougars will have to go through a familiar foe in the Ross Rams. The Rams handled the Cougars winning all three games last season.
Despite the unpredictable weather, the team has been working hard to prepare for the season.
“We have mostly been working on endurance and mechanics, making sure that we have our mentality down and know exactly what we are doing when it comes to fundamentals before bringing it onto the dirt,” Spencer said. “This year we got a drain put into our field in hopes of less games getting rained out.”
The Cougars open their season on March 25th, hosting former SWOC rival the Talawanda Brave. Last season the Brave finished second in the SWOC, and defeated the Cougars. Going into the opening game the Cougars have confidence in ending the six-game slide to the Brave.
“Most definitely, especially because a lot of us have personal relationships with the girls on Talawanda,” Spencer said. “They lost two great players last year so I believe that will give us a better advantage. Regardless of the players they have, we have definitely worked harder than any other team in practice.”
This season’s schedule headlines key out-of-conference opponents.
“I would say our key games are the first four on our schedule 1. Talawanda 2. Oak Hills 3. Margaretta [Sandusky] 4. Lakewood [Cleveland]. If we are able to set a winning or at very least a competitive tone from the jump, that would be huge for us,” Henson said.
Henson believes to have a successful season, they will rely on his sophomore class, headlined by returning pitcher Leigha Combs. Combs led the team with 24 games pitched, 118.2 innings pitched, 105 strikeouts, and three shutouts.
2024 Edgewood Cougars Roster
NUM NAME GRADE POSITION
1 Evelyn Henson Junior SS, C
3 Madison Ferrell Sophomore 2B, SS
5 Jaycie Broshear Freshman P, 1B
6 Remmie Ondrovich Sophomore C, OF
7 Ellie Clemmons Freshman 2B, OF
10 Kaylynn Spencer Senior 3B, OF
11 Leigha Combs Sophomore P, OF
12 Graci Halsey Senior OF, P
14 Brya Mayhalo Senior OF
15 Rylee Bryant Senior OF, 3B
16 Jaylee Rose Sophomore 1B, OF
23 Samantha Verhoff Freshman C, 1B
24 Baylee Strunk Freshman 3B, OF
25 Rylee Kallick Sophomore 3B, OF
34 Morgan Banks Senior 2B, OF
2024 Edgewood Cougars Schedule
MAR. 2024
Mon. 18 Madison – Scrimmage 05:00 PM Edgewood HS
Tue. 19 at Fairfield – Scrimmage 04:30 PM Fairfield HS
Thu. 21 at Mercy McAuley – Scrimmage 05:00 PM Mercy McAuley HS
Fri. 22 Carlisle – Scrimmage 05:15 PM Edgewood HS
Fri. 22 Carlisle 05:15 PM Scrimmage – Edgewood HS
Mon. 25 Talawanda 05:00 PM Edgewood HS
Tue. 26 at Oak Hills 05:00 PM Oak Hills HS
Thu. 28 Margaretta (Castalia, Ohio) 05:00 PM Edgewood HS
Fri. 29 Lakewood (Lakewood, Ohio) 01:00 PM Edgewood HS
APR. 2024
Tue. 2 at Rowan County (Morehead, KY) 01:00 PM Pigeon Forge, TN
Tue. 2 Union County (Morganfield, KY) 05:00 PM Pigeon Forge, TN
Thu. 4 at Mason County (Maysville, KY) 11:00 AM Pigeon Forge, TN
Thu. 4 Perry County (Hazard, KY) 01:00 PM Pigeon Forge, TN
Tue. 9 at Little Miami 05:00 PM
Wed. 10 Ross 05:00 PM Edgewood HS
Thu. 11 Hamilton 05:00 PM Edgewood HS
Fri. 12 at Ross 05:00 PM Ross HS
Tue. 16 Bellbrook 05:30 PM Edgewood HS
Wed. 17 Monroe 05:00 PM Edgewood HS
Thu. 18 at Hamilton 05:00 PM Hamilton HS
Fri. 19 at Monroe 05:00 PM Monroe HS
Sat. 20 St. Ursula 11:00 AM Edgewood HS
Sat. 20 St. Ursula 01:00 PM Edgewood HS
Tue. 23 at Valley View 05:00 PM Valley View HS
Wed. 24 Franklin 05:00 PM Edgewood H.S
Thu. 25 at Harrison 05:00 PM Harrison HS
Fri. 26 at Franklin 05:00 PM Community Park
Sat. 27 at Badin 01:00 PM Joyce Park
Sat. 27 at Badin 03:00 PM Joyce Park
Mon. 29 at Bellbrook 05:30 PM Bellbrook HS
Tue. 30 Valley View 05:00 PM Edgewood HS
MAY. 2024
Thu. 2 Waynesville 05:00 PM Edgewood HS
