Madison softball brings sky-high expectations into 2023 season

MADISON TOWNSHIP — When Madison softball coach Tim Niswander looked at his preseason lineup card, he couldn't help but to think one thing.

Boy oh boy, the Rams are loaded.

Madison brings back 12 letter winners and eight starters from last year's 13-12 team that made it to the district tournament before falling in the semifinals. Madison played an insanely tough nonconference schedule along with an Ohio Cardinal Conference slate that may have been one of the toughest league schedules in teh state. Now that the Rams are another year older and understand what it takes to put together a successful season, the sky is the limit.

But getting there will be the wonderful journey and Niswander hopes his Rams are ready to embrace that journey and enjoy what could be a special 2023 season.

"The thing that we have to do for our goals to become a reality is to play with urgency and focus at all times, throw quality pitches and be sound defensively every single game," Niswander said.

Senior Olivia Schulz is back four her fourth year at catcher. Last season, she hit .387 with 29 hits, 24 RBIs, 21 runs scored and three home runs. She earned first team All-Ohio Cardinal Conference and honorable mention All-Northwest District for her efforts.

Sophomore Emma Stankovich is also back at first base after a solid freshman season. She hit .299 with 20 hits, 11 RBIs and 12 runs scored while cutting her teeth at the varsity level.

Senior Bri Bowles is also back and is arguably the best all-around player on the roster. She will start at second base after hitting .411 with 30 hits, 17 RBIs, 28 runs scored and four home runs. She was a first team All-OCC and second team All-Northwest District selection in 2022 and is back and ready to prove she is an All-Ohio caliber player.

Junior Kyleigh Reiter returns to third base after a nice season a year ago earned her honorable mention All-OCC honors. She hit .405 with 32 hits, 25 RBIs and 21 runs scored with a home run and is in line for a huge payday when it comes to postseason accolades in 2023.

Senior Hope Barrett returns to shortstop and is determined to put a nice end to her high school career before moving on to Notre Dame College to continue playing the sport. He hit .234 with 15 hits, nine RBIs and 20 runs scored a year ago which lit a fire in her during the offseason.

Freshman Campbell Kiser will slide into the only vacant starting position left from last year's team. She will start in left field but could possibly see a rotation with Barrett at shortstop as the two could swap positions depending on matchups.

Junior Emily Nolan returns to centerfield after hitting .320 with 24 hits, 10 RBIs and 18 runs scored which earned her second team All-OCC honors last season. Junior Kendyll Kershner will start in right and will be looking to make a bigger impact in the batting order while being a defensive specialist.

Junior Layla Azmoun will be the starting pitcher for the 2023 season taking over for Bailey Lyons. Azmoun is 4-2 in her career with a 3.84 earned run average and 61 strikeouts in 58 innings pitched. She has spent the last two years working on her craft and the junior varsity level and is expected to make a huge jump this year. Bowles will be the relief pitcher after going 5-4 in her career with a 3.78 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 57 innings. Kiser and sophomore Sophia Parsons can also pitch if the Rams need them to.

Junior Jillian Conard brings versatility to lineup and can play catcher, first or third base, any of the outfield positions and might DH a little bit. Junior Ashland Markley will see time at second base and DH while sophomore Sophia Parsons can play outfield, DH or pitch.

"Our 3-year starters are going to be so important to us this year," Niswander said. "Olivia, Bri, Hope, Kyleigh and Emily have all played some great softball for us over the years and they will lead us again. Olivia and Bri bring a ton of power to the plate and Hope has a rare combination of power and speed. Emily is a slapper that can cover most of the outfield. Kyleigh has a solid bat with some power and speed and is the most underrated player in the area. Layla is the No. 1 this year and has some valuable experience in the circle, but she has added some speed and some spin and should take that next step. Campbell will lead off and can literally play anywhere."

See, how could Niswander not be excited? The Rams have what it takes to compete for an Ohio Cardinal Conference championship, but Niswander knows just how good the league is.

"The league should be very good again with Mount Vernon, Ashland, Lexington and the addition of New Philadelphia, but we expect to be in the mix at the top," Niswander said.

"Our goal is now and has always been to win every time we step on the field with will translate to district and conference championships."

The Rams begin the season on March 28 in a huge OCC game at Lexington.

jfurr@gannett.com

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Twitter: @JakeFurr11

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Madison Rams hope to compete for Ohio Cardinal Conference softball title