West Geauga enters the 2024 season with six returning starters from last year’s squad that finished 10-6 overall and 5-3 in the Chagrin Valley Conference.
The Wolverines also return several others with varsity experience as well as a pair of freshmen who should contribute this spring.
“We return eight from last year and yet we are still a young team overall, so we’ve got a core of young players that have experience from last year and two seniors that are great teammates and looked up to by their teammates,” said West Geauga coach Mark Percassi. “We have two freshmen newcomers that will impact our team immediately up the middle and several underclassmen competing for a taste of varsity action.”
After graduating a multi-year starter, the Wolverines will be a work in progress in the circle.
That means the rest of the Wolverines have to step up their game to protect their pitchers.
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“We had great pitching last year from our senior and so this year we’re asking two returning players who pitched a handful of innings to work together to give good innings,” Percassi said. “They need to hit their spots and allow our defense to make plays. Our catchers will need to do a great job working with our pitchers as well. Lastly, we are replacing our strong middle infield from last year with two freshmen going into the season. Getting them comfortable and being themselves is important for us.”
West Geauga will have just one senior in its starting lineup with Hannah Williams slotted as the team’s designated player.
Juniors Michaela Platt will catch, Cara Day is projected to start at third, and Shaylynn Rogaski will patrol center field and pitch. Sophomores Morgan Atwara, Malory Lear, and Lely Percassi will play first, left, and right field, respectively, and freshmen Dayana Malone, the younger sister of former Wolverine Shea Malone, who now plays at Bucknell, and Ava Borz will play second and short.
Percassi also will pitch.
“We have a balanced team and high expectations for them all, but we return two juniors, Cara Day and Shaylynn Rogaski that earned all-conference honorable mention recognition,” Coach Percassi said. “Sophomore Lely Percassi returns as last year’s leading hitter amongst returners both in average (.358) and runs batted in (19). All three have worked hard in the offseason and believe they will continue to improve and contribute greatly to their team.”
The Wolverines already have jelled as a squad and Percassi is confident he has the experience and talent in place to be successful this spring.
“The strength of this team is their cohesiveness and positivity towards each other,” he said. “Our practices are spirited and full of energy and seeing all of these ladies working together and for each other is fun to watch. Returning eight players from last year certainly is a strength. Many of them play very competitive travel ball all summer so they won’t face anything they haven’t seen before. Our two freshmen starters both have played a ton of ball as well and are ready to step in and compete.”
The Wolverines head into the season focused on playing together and determined to play fundamentally sound all season long.
“Our coaching staff’s expectations for our team is simply to compete hard every single day on the field, be a cohesive unit that relentlessly roots for each other, and creates a mindset that outcomes will be a reflection of how they approach the process and journey they’re on,” Percassi said. “If they can understand the joy of competing, they’ll exceed their own expectations.”
