SOFTBALL: Clay should compete for a conference title

Coach: Brenda Radabaugh, 25th year
Last year: 19-9 (9-6 NLL Cardinal)
Key returning players: Olivia Haas (Jr., P/SS/3B); Brynn Reiter (Sr., CF); Madison Franke (Jr., C); Jenna Swartz (Jr., P/3B)

Legendary coach Brenda Radabaugh is back to lead Clay for her 25th year, and she has a team that lost just one player to graduation and won 19 games last season.

Competing against some of the area's best teams in the Northern Lakes League certainly prepares Clay for the postseason. But it's been a little while since the Eagles made a run in the tournament. 

Could this be the year Clay goes on a tear and gets back to regionals? The Eagles, who last won a district title six years ago, have six returning starters.

Junior Olivia Haas (.558), who is a pitcher but will also play at third and short, is a three-year starter who earned honorable-mention distinction last season in Division I.

Battling for time in the circle with Haas will be Emily Cordell (7-1, 3.00 ERA), Jenna Swartz and Zoe Zahradnik (.453, 33 RBIs; 11-8, 2.49 ERA).

"We have a pitching staff with a variety of different looks that we hope will keep our opponents off balance," Radabaugh said.

Haas is at the top of the order, followed by Brynn Reiter, middle infielder Ellie Haynes, catcher Madison Franke (.378, 5 HR, 36 RBIs) and designated player Zoe Zahradnik, who transferred from Notre Dame Academy. The final four spots are up in the air.

"Olivia has led our team in most batting categories the last two years, including batting average," Radabaugh said. "Madison has the most home runs in each of the past two seasons, and Ellie is a solid defender with a powerful bat."

Swartz will play first when she's not pitching, Cordell will split time between first and the outfield, and Lillian Cordell is going to pitch, play third or go to the outfield.

Springfield, which nearly won a state title two years ago and won the Cardinal Division last season, was picked to win the league, followed by Clay, Bowling Green, Napoleon, Southview and Fremont Ross.

"We hope to beat Springfield for the top spot in the league," Radabaugh said.