BLOOMDALE — Elmwood softball was a contender during its final season in the Northern Buckeye Conference, and the hope is the Royals will continue to contend in their first year in the Blanchard Valley Conference.
“Being in a new league this year we are hoping to be competitive and make our name known as a great softball program,” said second-year coach Emily Reynolds.
“Many of the teams we are playing this year are new to us. We have played Van Buren, Liberty-Benton, and Riverdale in the past few years and they are always competitive. We are hoping to fit in and be just as competitive.”
Last year the Royals were 16-8 overall and 10-4 in the NBC during Reynolds’ first season at the helm.
She has six letter winners returning, including senior shortstop Mariela Garcia, sophomore catcher Leah Allison, senior center fielder Tianna Galbraith, and junior pitcher Allyie Reynolds.
Garcia (.530 batting average) was first a first team second baseball and also first team Northwest District. Allison was an honorable mention All-NBC selection, and last year’s shortstop, Kate Keiffer (.461 BA) was a first team All-NBC and second team NW District honoree.
Only problem is, Keiffer won’t return to play this year because of an injury, but she’s not done playing softball as she’ll go on to play at the next level.
“Kate Keiffer was a returning senior for us who tore her ACL in basketball towards the end of the season,” coach Reynolds said.
“She would have been a vital part of our infield and batting line up and we will miss her presence on the field,” the coach continued.
“Luckily she’s still very dedicated to helping her teammates succeed and is like another assistant coach. Luckily she is continuing her softball career at the University of Findlay next year.”
For Garcia, this is her fourth year as a varsity player and coach Reynolds says “her experience and dedication to the game has been great.”
Allyie Reynolds had to miss last year, but coach Reynolds says “she’s ready to get back to work this year. She was out last season and is back ready to take on a leadership role.”
Another big bat to the lineup will be Dakota Rader-King, who coach Reynolds says is “stepping into a leadership position and has more confidence this season. She is a year older and another year of experience under her belt.”
Allyie Reynolds and freshman Addi Hoffman will be sharing the circle this season, and among her the coach’s top fielders, Garcia is moving to shortstop because of the injury to Keiffer, Trinity Sander is moving to second base to fill Garcia’s place, and Tianna Galbraith will play in center field.
Keiffer is not the only one committed to play collegiately — Garcia will play at Ohio Christian and Galbraith will play at Bluffton University.
Also stepping in to contribute at the varsity level are Hoffman and Ella Strausbaugh, who returns to the program after taking a year off.
