13 Wayne County softball players to watch throughout the 2023 season

RICHMOND, Ind. — Last spring, Wayne County was introduced to some stars in the making on the softball field. Northeastern’s young core had a breakout season and led the Knights to the best record in the county. Hagerstown needed its freshmen to step up, and they did. Lincoln and Centerville each had a young pitcher emerge as an ace when they had no one else to turn to. And a pair of sophomores led Richmond’s pitching staff.

With the softball schedule starting this week, it’s time to introduce some players to watch this season. The following list was determined by analyzing players’ statistics last season and teams’ roster makeup from last year to this year.

Note: This list is not a ranking of players but rather an idea of which players might be successful. Players are grouped by team. Teams are ordered based on their overall record last year.

Clare Lopeman – Junior – Northeastern

Among all the breakout seasons Knight players had last year, Lopeman’s was clearly the most valuable. If it wasn’t for her, Northeastern wouldn’t have been nearly as successful as it was, going 16-8 and making it to the sectional championship.

'I want the ball':Lopeman leads Northeastern softball as far as she can take it

Lopeman proved herself the team’s top pitching option, finishing the season fourth in the Tri-Eastern Conference in ERA (3.01) and second in both strikeouts (145) and wins (12).

She was also the Knights’ best bat in a lineup full of dangerous hitters. Lopeman led Northeastern with a .506 batting average and 28 RBIs. She also showed she has some pop with a pair of home runs. Look for her to continue pacing this team to success.

Lexi Russell – Sophomore – Northeastern

Russell started last year at the top of the Knights’ lineup, and that’s where she stayed all season long. As a freshman, she proved she belonged at the varsity level, leading the team in hits (41), doubles (10) and stolen bases (25 on 27 attempts). Russell’s speed paced Northeastern’s aggressive baserunning attack (83 steals on 95 attempts). Her 25 steals ranked third in the TEC. She was also second on the team in batting average (.500), runs (31) and RBIs (23).

Emma Neeley – Junior – Northeastern

Neeley was the perfect combination of power and speed as the Knights’ catcher last year. Her three home runs tied for the team lead, and her 19 steals were fifth in the TEC. She also led Northeastern in runs (32) and was third in both batting average (.443) and hits (31).

Lilly Null – Junior – Northeastern

Null rounded out the Knights’ top four batters in the lineup, matching Neeley with three homers and Russell with 23 RBIs. She was fourth on the team in batting average (.423) and hits (30).

'Why you play the game':Northeastern softball rises to occasion to beat Hagerstown

These four Knights showed the area what they can do last year. All of them have at least two more years left, but this should be the year they really start to take over.

Rylan Young – Sophomore – Hagerstown

The majority of the Tigers’ roster last season consisted of three seniors and a lot of freshmen. Young was the clear standout of the rookies, getting it done in the pitching circle and at the plate.

'These freshmen aren't freshmen':Young, other rookies step up for Hagerstown softball

'They believed it':Hagerstown softball seniors pave the way for the program’s future

Young pitched more innings than any other Tiger last season, and her 3.15 ERA is the lowest of any returner. She was even better offensively, finishing second on the team with a .435 batting average and 30 hits. She batted cleanup for Hagerstown as a freshman and proved she wasn’t afraid of the big moment. Young had a huge role last year, but look for it to be even bigger this season.

Hannah Pyle – Junior – Hagerstown

Pyle was lightning in a bottle for the Tigers last year. She showed she has ace pitching potential, striking out 63 batters (fifth in TEC), but she also showed she has some inconsistencies with her control, walking 57 batters. Her fastball is her best pitch, overpowering hitters when it’s on. If Pyle can keep the ball in the strike zone, she’ll have a big year in the pitching circle.

'One of the best feelings':Hagerstown softball wins Wayne County Tournament

She showed similar potential with the bat. Her numbers weren’t great, but she’d get into a ball every once in a while to open some eyes. She blasted a no-doubt home run in the Wayne County Tournament championship. If she can get more consistent at the plate, too, opponents better watch out.

Paige Lunsford – Junior – Lincoln

Then-senior Maddie Bogue was injured to start last season, leaving Lunsford as the team’s only pitching option. Considering the circumstances — pitching every inning of every game for a big chunk of the schedule — her 4.97 ERA and 116 strikeouts (third in TEC) were commendable for the Golden Eagles. Look for those numbers to improve this year.

More:Paige Lunsford was Lincoln softball’s only pitching option, but Maddie Bogue is back

Lunsford’s offensive production was also a nice surprise, as she finished second on the team in both batting average (.411) and hits (30) and was third in runs (20).

Mallory Burns – Senior – Lincoln

Burns was a steady Eddie all of last season. She led Lincoln with 24 RBIs, was second with 23 runs and was third with a .370 batting average and 27 hits. Her production was a big reason why the Golden Eagles won a sectional title last year. Look for Burns to have a big senior season at the plate.

Harmony Owens – Junior – Centerville

Similar to Lunsford, Owens was the Bulldogs’ lone pitching option last year. The only difference was Owens was the one with injuries. She battled through two torn labrums to post a respectable 5.54 ERA.

'I'm surviving':Centerville's Harmony Owens has pitched through 2 torn labrums all year

Owens was also a force at the plate, leading Centerville with 21 hits and finishing third with a .375 batting average. If she’s fully healthy this year, those numbers should get scary good.

Shaellyn Shearer – Senior – Centerville

Talk about a power threat with a bat in her hands. Shearer’s five home runs last year led the team and were third in the TEC, the most by any non-Union County player. She also led the Bulldogs with 18 runs and 17 RBIs. This is another senior with a lot to look forward to this season.

Drew Tubesing – Junior – Centerville

Tubesing was solid all around all season for Centerville last year. As Owens’ longtime catcher, she was a brick wall behind the plate. Offensively, she led the team with a .474 batting average. These three Bulldogs have the potential to take their team places if they get some help.

Macie Ferguson – Junior – Richmond

Ferguson is the definition of an energy-giver and a mood-enhancer. She dances to the music playing on the speakers during warmups, and you can hear her cheering on her teammates after every pitch.

More:Confidence soars after Richmond, Centerville softball have bounce-back consolation game

Ferguson is a crafty, speedy leadoff batter, often bunting her way to first base and then stealing her way into scoring position. She was also part of the Red Devils’ one-two punch in the pitching circle.

Kamdyn DePew – Junior – Richmond

The other part of Richmond’s one-two punch was DePew. There were times she started to look like her older sister, Laurelai DePew, currently a sophomore pitcher at Miami (Ohio). Kamdyn was also a solid batter at the bottom of the lineup, getting on base for Ferguson to get the top of the order going again.

'Still hasn't hit me':Laurelai DePew’s journey from T-ball to Richmond softball history

After the graduation of a few key seniors, look for these two to play big roles for the Red Devils this year.

Zach Piatt is a reporter for The Palladium-Item. Contact him at zpiatt@gannett.com or on Twitter @zachpiatt13.

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: 13 Wayne County softball players to watch throughout the 2023 season