Season Preview: Softball looks to be a force in the Ohio Athletic Conference in 2018

By Caleb Scott

ADA — The Ohio Northern softball team will look to continue to be a top-tier team in the Ohio Athletic Conference in 2018 under the watch of second-year head coach Jackie Price.

The Polar Bears posted an impressive 25-13 record in Price's first year as head coach of ONU, and finished fifth in the OAC at 9-9.

Price and her staff welcome back a talented team that features 12 letter winners, led by seniors and three time letter winners Kirsten Lightel (Tallmadge), Miranda Huddle (Versailles), Jenna Hollar (Lima/Bath) and Leanna Henry (West Jefferson).

"We are really going to have to emphasize the team aspect this season," said Price. "We have a good group of returners coming back but we have some roles that need filled and we are going to have to see multiple girls step up. This season will be a total team effort and we will need to see everyone step up to be successful."

Here is a breakdown of the 2018 Polar Bears, by position:

Infield

The infield will see multiple changes in 2018 and will be led by junior All-OAC honoree Hailee Loughman (Brookeville). 

Loughman returns after starting in 37 games for Northern a season ago.

The junior is a member of ONU's .300 Member Club as she has a career batting average of .316. She led the team in doubles (9) and home runs (5) and ranked second on the team with a .355 batting average in 2017.

Junior and two time letter winner Laura Burden (Pleasant Hill/Newton) also returns for the Polar Bears in the outfield after appearing in 22 games, making 14 starts for ONU in 2017, while also returning in the infield for ONU is sophomore Gabby Stewart (Union, Ky./St. Henry).

Stewart returns after a successful freshman campaign with the Polar Bears that featured 37 starts and appearances in all 38 games.

The sophomore ranked second on the team in batting average (.350), hits (43), and RBI (29) and will provide Northern with experience behind the plate at the catcher position.

Northern also welcomes back Huddle and Henry in the infield, as well as sophomore letter winner Jordan Cloonan (Kirtland/Cornerstone Christian).

"Hailee is really our big hitter from the infield," said Price. "She brings back experience and swings the bat well. Gabby had a really good freshman year and it will be nice to have her back behind the plate. We have a lot of options in the infield at this point. We are going to try and mix the lineup up a little bit and see what is best for our team."

Outfield

Senior All-OAC honoree Jenna Hollar (Lima/Bath) will look to anchor the outfield for Ohio Northern in 2018.

Hollar is 16 stolen bases shy of becoming ONU's all-time leader in the category and ranks 14th all-time at ONU with 139 career hits.

The senior is a 3-year starter in the outfield and led the team with a .370 batting average and 44 hits last year.

"Our outfield is going to see some new faces this season," said Price. "Jenna obviously had a good year last season and her leadership will be key for us. Some of the freshmen are going to have to compete and show that they are ready to play. I think we have talent in the outfield but again its about finding the best lineup for us and to see who fits best for the team."

Pitching

Perhaps the most experienced group in 2018, the pitching staff will look to key the Polar Bears to a successful season in 2018.

Northern returns two record-breaking hurlers in the pitchers circle as Lightel and junior Kaitlin Surdej (Lancaster/Central) will look to be a key part of Northern's defense.

Lightel, a 3-time NFCA All-Central Region honoree, 3-time All-OAC honoree, OAC Pitcher of the Year, and former OAC Rookie of the Year will lead the group.

The senior led the pitching staff in ERA (1.01), wins (14), strikeouts (128) and innings pitched (138.0) last season and became the all-time strikeouts record holder at Northern. Her career 1.51 ERA also ranks first all-time at Ohio Northern.

Surdej returns to Northern after a successful sophomore campaign. 

The junior ranks eighth all-time at ONU with 170 career strikeouts in just two years as a Polar Bear. 

"Our pitching staff is going to be one of the big keys to our success," said Price. "Kirsten and Kaitlin both have a lot of experience and really set the tone for us. We are pretty confident in their ability."

Schedule

Northern opens the season on Mar. 4 as it takes on DeSales (Pa.) in the first of a 12-game slate in Kissimmee, Florida at the Sunkissed Games from Mar. 4-10.

After returning home, ONU will open its home schedule at the ONU Softball Field on Mar. 14 as it welcomes Hanover (Ind.) for a double header at 2:30 pm.

Other non-conference doubles headers feature matchups against Alma (Mich.), Anderson (Ind.), Wooster, and Transylvania (Ky.).

The Polar Bears open conference play with a double header on the road at Heidelberg on Mar. 24.

ONU will also travel to OAC-foes Wilmington, Baldwin Wallace, John Carroll and Marietta and will host Capital, Mount Union, Otterbein and Muskingum at home in conference action.

The OAC Tournament is slated for May 4-6.

"Florida is going to be a good gauge of where we are at and will help us get some wrinkles out to see who fits best where," said Price. "We will see some good competition in Florida and we think it will be very beneficial for us moving forward. Our out-of-conference schedule is pretty competitive too. Alma received votes in the preseason poll and Transylvania is a top-15 team so we think those kinds of games will prepare us well for the OAC. The OAC is pretty open this season. Otterbein is always in the mix and we think the OAC is tough just like it always is. We will get a lot of good competition in conference play."