Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Coach: Cami Haas, third year
Last year: 27-3 (12-1 NBC)
Key returning players: Allie Giezie (Sr., C); Ava Geyer (Sr., 1B); Hannah Schimmoeller (Sr., RF); Karder Haas (Jr., SS)
Last season was arguably the best in Oak Harbor softball history.
The Rockets won 27 games, claimed their second regional championship in three years and won a Northern Buckeye Conference title in their first year in the league.
But four key starters — including seniors Alyse Sorg, Reese Adkins and First Team All-Ohio Porter Gregory — are gone from last season. Adkins and Gregory continued their softball careers at Cuyahoga Community College and Walsh University, respectively. Sorg competes for BGSU's swimming & diving program.
"We lost three great seniors, who have helped pave the way for our new team leaders this season," Oak Harbor coach Cami Haas said. "We have many players who are eager to make their mark on the program, and they have settled in great to start the season."
Sophomore pitcher Morgan Lalonde leads the way, having played in left field last year while Sorg pitched. Lalonde was a force at the plate, hitting .466 while driving in 16 runs and scoring 38 times.
Senior first baseman, Ava Geyer hit .392, finishing with 31 RBIs and 29 runs. Her fellow seniors are catcher Allie Giezie, who hit .343 and drove in 22 runs, while rightfielder Hannah Schimmoeller missed all of last season with an injury.
Junior shortstop Karder Haas is coming off a season that saw her hit .367 to go with two home runs and 38 RBIs. Fellow junior Tatum Baumgartner, who patrols centerfield, hit .290 with two home runs and 28 RBIs last season.
The rest of the lineup includes third baseman Haylee Robinson, second baseman Kaitlyn Meloche and freshman leftfielder Addison Laubacher.
"The girls have high standards and know what it takes to be successful," Cami Haas said. "It's in their hands now, and they more than put in the work to reach their goals."
Geyer leads off, followed by Baumgartner, Karder Haas, Schimmoeller, Lalonde, Giezie, Robinson, Meloche and Laubacher.
Cami Haas has confidence in Lalonde, who is replacing Sorg in the circle.
"Morgan needed to take on a larger mental role this season,” she said. “She has already grown in that department a ton from winter to (the present). Each game has been more consistent, and she is hitting her spots very well. She knows she has an incredible defense behind her to keep her loose in the circle."
