TONTOGANY — After coming up one game short of winning a Northern Buckeye Conference title last year, the Otsego softball team is poised to make another run.

Last year, the Knights finished 19-10 overall and 11-3 in the NBC, one game behind league champion Eastwood (26-4, 12-2). Seventh-year coach Jason Colyer’s (108-32 career record) team is well-stocked with eight letter winners returning.

Key players include junior pitcher Riley Rowe, junior catcher Aubrey Hartman, senior shortstop Evelyn Rider, senior second baseman Sabrina Martinez, and sophomore outfielder and pitcher Janelle Brooks.

Rowe is an NCAA Division II commit to Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida.

“Riley is a tremendous worker who sets the standard for every player in our program,” Colyer said. “We return the middle of our defense beginning with starting pitcher Riley Rowe and catcher Aubrey Hartman who are two outstanding players that work well together.

“Additionally, both Evelyn Rider and (senior) Sabrina Martinez-Buehrer, our shortstop and second baseman, respectively, also return.

“Freshman outfielder Ryleigh O’Brien takes over center field duties for Chesney Kuron and sophomore corner infielders Cailyn Rider and Kaylynn Euler return with experience and explosive offensive ability.

“One first-year varsity player who could contribute both offensively and defensively this season is Ryleigh O’Brien,” Colyer addeds. “Ryleigh has above average speed and can do a lot of different things offensively for us.”

They hope to bring back to Otsego the NBC championships won the previous two years in 2021 and 2022. The Knights were also district champions in 2021, advancing to the regional tournament.

“The league has improved with the addition of Maumee and Oak Harbor. It should make each and every NBC game a challenge,” Colyer said.

“If we meet that challenge of competing in every game, we expect to be able to be in contention for a league championship.”