Geneva’s young softball team grew up quite a bit last spring and now the Eagles are determined to compete for a conference title and more this season.
With seven returning starters, including a four-year pitcher, the Eagles have a solid core to set the tone for the season.
“I have an incredible group of talented hard-working athletes this year. We bring back some experience with seven starters returning and nine returning letter-winners,” said Geneva coach Eleshia Pitcher. “We are looking to improve on last season. We were very young last season and lost several games in late innings which gave them an opportunity to learn and grow and they come in this season more determined.”
Geneva, who finished 10-14 last season, will once again look for Annabelle Bragg to keep opposing teams off balance.
The four-year starter in the circle earned second-team all-conference honors last spring after posting a 3.33 earned run average and a .414 batting average.
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Shortstop Caidyn Seigel earned first-team All-CVC honors last spring after batting .605. She’ll also see some time in the circle.
Senior Savannah Burton is back at third base and at the top of the batting order after batting .463 last season on her way to earning second-team All-CVC honors. She’ll also see time in the circle.
Sophomore Cora Brace and junior Gianna Markijohn will play first and second base, respectively. Brace, who batted .321 last season, moves in from the outfield while Markijohn is in her third season at second. She’ll also pitch some innings.
Junior Addelynn Sheppard will catch after moving in from the outfield.
Juniors Kailyn Cerjan and Claire Cafo will play left and center fields, respectively, and senior Finley Mongell is in right.
Cerjan and Cafo are in their third year on the varsity and Mongell is the team’s most improved player from last year.
Ashlyn Palmer and Emma Leverett will provide depth.
Coach Pitcher will lean into her squad’s persistence to keep the team motivated and inspired this season.
“The way we never give up no matter how bad it gets, they keep pushing and their determination to keep getting stronger as a team,” she said. “I am also blessed with pitching depth. I have four pitchers who all bring something different to the mound.”
For Geneva to achieve its goals this spring, the Eagles must come through in the clutch.
“We left a lot of runners stranded last year and a hit here or there would have put a W in the win column,” Pitcher said.
