East Central Indiana high school softball 2023 season preview capsules

NOTE: Not every team's coach responded to The Star Press' information request.

MUNCIE, Ind. — The IHSAA softball season is underway, and most East Central Indiana teams will hit the diamond this week.

Last season was a good one for area squads as Yorktown and Cowan both made it to the semistate tournament. Those two programs, as well as some others, are expected to be postseason contenders again.

Let's look at the new rosters and coaches' comments for each ECI group:

Blackford Bruins (Class 2A)

• Coach: Scott Cagle (30-35, fourth year with school)

• 2022 season: 5-13, 2-4 CIC (lost in sectional semifinals)

• Top returning players: Lillie Lamotte (SS), Faith Gephart (CF)

• Key additions: Fr. Serenity Lehman

• Key departures: Macy Cagle (2B), Madison Merkel (P)

• First game: 5 p.m. Monday, April 3, at Jay County.

More: Ball State softball atop MAC behind its star sophomore pitcher and deep, elite lineup

Blue River Vikings (Class 1A)

• Coach: Courtney Stultz (2-50 in sixth year at school)

• 2022 season: 1-16, 0-7 MEC (lost in sectional first round)

• Top returning players: Sr. Trinity Driskill

• Key departures: Victoria Zentz (1B, P)

• First game: 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at Wes-Del.

Cowan Blackhawks (Class 1A)

• Coach: Curtis Bynum (16-9, second year with school)

• 2022 season: 16-9, 7-1 MEC (sectional and regional champions, lost in semistate semifinals)

• Top returning players: Sr. Tatum Rickert (P, 3B), Sr. McKenna Minton (SS), Sr. Aryonna Bynum (C, 2B), Sr. Josie Byrd (CF, P), Sr. Miranda Bowling (1B, 3B)

• Key additions: Fr. Taylor Young (3B)

• Key departures: Lauren Smith (2B)

• Coach's comment: "Our expectations is to play fundamentally-sound softball. We want to play loose and mistake-free. If and when we do make a mistake, it’s a must (that) we have a short-term-memory mentality and move on instead of hanging on to it."

• First game: Lost 4-1 at Union County on Monday.

Daleville Broncos (Class 1A)

• Coach: Jeremy Pattengale (6-13, second year with school)

• 2022 season: 6-13, 2-6 MEC (lost in sectional semifinals)

• Top returning players: So. Valyn Pattengale (C, SS), Jr. Cali Pattengale (1B), Jr. Emily Simmons P, UT)

• Key additions: Fr. Kyra Osborne (P, UT), Fr. Miley Womack (C, 1B, 3B), So. Zoe Shihemi (2B, UT)

• Key departures: None

• Coach's comment: "(Our goal is) to get better each time out. New season and new team. Leaders step up and captains be captains. Let’s have some fun. Word for the year for Daleville softball is 'CHOICE.'"

• First game: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at home against Tri.

Last season: 'Nothing to lose': Daleville softball debuts after month-long wait, focused on having fun

Delta Eagles (Class 3A)

• Coach: Todd Taylor (0-0, first year with school)

• 2022 season: 10-15, 0-7 HHC (lost in sectional semifinals)

• Top returning players: Sr. Shelby White (SS, OF, P), Sr. Sydney Stroble (C), Sr. Mia Ramsey (1B), Jr. Hannah Carter (3B, OF), S. Fancy Robbins (2B, P)

• Key additions: Jr. Maci Ramsey (CF), So. Ava West INF), So. Hailie Woodring (OF, P), So. Haliee Hamilton (SS, 1B), Fr. Griffyn Knight (SS, OF), Fr. Haley Loser (P)

• Key departures: Rory Ledbetter (F), Ellie Summers (P), Kate Penrod (SS), Ella Painter (OF), Kadence McNabb (3B)

• Coach's comment: "We are a young team and installing a new system. The goal is to grow and adapt and be a force come tournament time."

• First game: Lost 25-0 at Frankton on March 27.

Jay County Patriots (Class 3A)

• Coach: Doug Arbuckler (0-0, first year with school)

• 2022 season: 16-8, 4-2 ACAC (lost in sectional first round)

• Top returning players: So. Jaelynn Lykins, Jr. Madyson Fraley, Jr. Riah Champ, So. Mallory Winner, So. Jozey Shimp

• Key departures: Olivia Bright, Tricia Ison, Haleigh Clayton

• First game: 5 p.m. Monday, April 3, at home against Blackford.

Monroe Central Golden Bears (Class 2A)

• Coach: Katelind Phillips (5-21, second year with school)

• 2022 season: 5-21, 3-5 MEC (lost in sectional first round)

• Top returning players: Sr. Tessa Chesher (P, INF), Sr. Callie Newsome (C, UT), Jr. Aubrey Johnson (P, UT), Jr. Kate Brown (UT), Jr. Ava Pohl (UT), So. Whitley Martin (SS, UT), So. Jayme Brannan (UT)

• Key additions: Jr. Mak Brainerd (UT), Fr. Kinlee Taylor (P, UT)

• Key departures: Alex McGrath (INF), Lydia Price (UT), Audrey Stoops (OF)

• Coach's comment: "We are excited to get out on the field and show how much we’ve improved in the offseason. The team has worked really hard physically and mentally and it has showed in our practices so far. We are going to work hard and do our best to remain healthy this season."

• First game: 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at Union City.

Muncie Central Bearcats (Class 4A)

• Coach: Robert Harber (14-104 in ninth year with school)

• 2022 season: 2-10, 2-2 NCC (lost in sectional semifinals)

• Top returning players: Sr. Raine Farley (CF, P, C), Jr. Katie White (C, 2B), Jr. Ciera Horn (P, SS)

• Key additions: Fr. Zoie Adams (2B, OF), Fr. Kandyce Lee, (OF, 2B)

• Key departures: Micayla Vecchiolli (CF, SS); Rebecca Giver (C, 3B); Cassie Lombardi (2B, 3B, C)

• First game: 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at home against Alexandria.

New Castle Trojans (Class 3A)

• Coach: Abigail Renner (25-33, third year with school)

• 2022 season: 13-16, 2-6 HHC (lost in sectional semifinals)

• Top returning players: Sr. Madi Moffitt (P, OF) So. Kattie Mathews (SS), Sr. Lexy Jarvis (3B, OF), Jr. McKenna Speer (P, 1B)

• Key additions: Fr. Calleigh Clayborn (C, 3B, 1B, OF), Fr. Artaysha Thompson (3B, OF)

• Key departures: Hannah Essert (3B), Michaela Hamby (1B, P)

• Coach's comment: "Our team has many individual and team goals. We know what we plan to do and what it will take to get there. We are working toward encouraging confidence in these young ladies, whether winning or losing or having your best game or worst game."

• First game: Lost 8-4 against Union County on March 2.

Shenandoah Raiders (Class 2A)

• Coach: Christina Myers (16-11, second year with school)

• 2022 season: 16-11, 6-2 MEC (lost in sectional first round)

• Top returning players: Sr. Alyssa Allen (C), Sr. Kayla Muterspaugh (SS), Sr. Emma Whittenburg (P), Jr. Elise Boyd (3B), So. Lydia Schwagmeier (2B), So. Tarren Mills (P, OF)

• Key additions: Fr. Alyena Sharritts (INF), Fr. Gabby Patrick (OF), So. Olivia Watson (P)

• Key departures: Kaylin Nolen (P), Delia Myers (1B), Kenedi Helms (CF)

• Coach's comment: "The team has been working really hard gearing up for this season. With the lose of Nolen on the mound, 135 K's in 2022, we know we are going to have to work just as hard defensively as offensively. Returners have really stepped up and the newcomers are filling in the holes."

• First game: Won 8-3 against Hagerstown on March 30.

Wapahani Raiders (Class 2A)

• Coach: Jeff Masters (29-24, third year with school)

• 2022 season: 15-12, 4-3 MEC (lost in sectional semifinals)

• Top returning players: Jr. Matilyn Rhoades (2B), Jr. Abi Cross (SS)

• Key additions: Fr. Zoey Koger (P), Fr. Megan Luce (3B), Fr. Emily Luce (OF)

• Key departures: Katie Bray (P), Lala Lee (SS), Ashland Kalahekomo (C)

• Coach's comment: "We are going into a season with the potential of three freshmen in the starting lineup, one being a pitcher and the sophomore behind the plate replacing two young ladies that played every inning of every game for the last couple of years, so we're going to take it one game at a time ... I expect to be competitive at some point, but we have lot of unknowns right now. We're going in with the mindset of being better today than we were yesterday and being better tomorrow then we were today."

• First game: At 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 3, at home against Northeastern.

Wes-Del Warriors (Class 1A)

• Coach: Andy Swift (65-59, seventh year with school)

• 2022 season: 16-10, 4-4 MEC (lost in sectional semifinals)

• Top returning players: Sr. Kenzie Stark (P, 1B), So. Kenzie Anderson (SS), So. Jordan Hirst (C, 3B)

• Key additions: So. Bailee West (P, 1B), Fr. Kayla Harrold (C, RF), Fr. Keylie Byrd (CF)

• Key departures: Alleigh Swift (1B)

• Coach's comment: "We are a very young team of 11 players: three seniors, four sophomores and four freshmen. The girls are tight and have come together as a group. Seniors are leaders and the young players push each other. I believe we will surprise some people this year."

• First game: At 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 3, at home against Southern Wells.

Winchester Golden Falcons (Class 2A)

• Coach: Monte Gaddis (45-51, sixth year with school)

• 2022 season: 8-15, 1-7 TEC (lost in sectional first round)

• Top returning players: So. Allie Campbell, Sr. Alexis Roth, So. Delaney Byrd, Sr. Tia Retz

• Key additions: Fr. Makaya McCord, Fr. Makaya McCord, Fr. Laila Salazar

• Key departures: Gena Moore (C, P, OF), Taylor Baker (3B)

• First game: At 5 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at South Adams.

Yorktown Tigers (Class 3A)

• Coach: Jeremy Penrod (25-4, second year with school)

• 2022 season: 25-4, 6-1 HHC (Delaware County, sectional and regional champions, lost in semistate semifinals)

• Top returning players: Sr. Lexy Morris (SS), Jr. Caitlyn LaFerney (P), Sr. Lizzy Willis (CF, P), Ava McNally (2B)

• Key additions: Fr. Brooklyn Bartle (SS, CF), Fr. Anna Rinker (C, P, 3B)

• Key departures: Alanah Jones (P), Katelynn Kennedy (C), Maci Dowd (1B)

• Coach's comment: "We expect to take a step forward this year from a program standpoint. We have a really talented roster and a good mix of upper and underclassmen that all really pull for each other. It is an extremely fun group to coach and I am excited to see their development over the course of the season."

• First game: Won 8-0 at Lapel on March 29.

Gus Martin is a sports reporter at The Star Press. Follow him on Twitter @GusMartin_SP, and contact him at gmartin@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: IHSAA softball: East Central Indiana 2023 team capsules season preview