LEXINGTON, Ohio — The Ohio Cardinal Conference’s softball coaches can breathe a sigh of relief.
Abbie Sgro’s reign is finally over.
Lexington’s three-time All-Ohioan has haunted the rest of the OCC for the past four seasons. She graduated with more than 900 career strikeouts, including a school record 317 in 2014 and 270 more this spring.
The newly-crowned Richland Source Player of the Year was every bit as menacing at the plate. She batted .494 with 20 extra-base hits and a Ruthian 1.420 OPS.
Sgro, who is headed to Ashland University in the fall, was the Ohio Cardinal Conference Pitcher of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Ohio first team in Division II. She was a second team All-Ohioan as a junior and an honorable mention selection as a sophomore.
Sgro’s battery mate Morgan Zeigler is the All-Richland Source pick at catcher. She batted .460 with a team-best 27 runs batted in.
The first baseman is Shelby’s Maddi Fiddler. The sophomore hit .452 and belted seven home runs as the Whippets won a sectional crown.
Clear Fork’s Montana Walker played all over the infield, but she is the Richland Source pick at second base. The junior batted a team-best .434 with 33 RBIs and 34 runs scored.
The third baseman is Mansfield Senior’s Tamesha Carter. It was a rough season for the Tygers, but the senior batted .569 with four home runs.
The shortstop is Shelby’s Kennadie Goth. The sophomore batted .522 and led the area with 58 stolen bases. Goth, who also qualified for the state track meet and finished ninth in the long jump, was an All-Ohio honorable mention selection in Division II.
Madison’s Bailey Kiser is the utility infielder. The Rams were hit hard by injuries, but Kiser earned a spot on the Ohio Cardinal Conference first team.
The designated hitter is Shelby’s Camryn Zehner. The sophomore batted .386 and led the area with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs.
Clear Fork’s Taylor Cook and Erika Farst anchor the All-Richland Source outfield. Cook batted .430 while Farst, an everyday infielder, batted .423 with 28 runs scored and 26 stolen bases as the Colts shared the OCC title with Orrville.
Plymouth’s Haven Keene joins Cook and Farst in the outfield. Batting in the heart of the lineup, the junior helped lead the Big Red to their first ever district championship.
Lucas’ Alex Depue is an everyday infielder but we like her speed in the outfield. The sophomore led the area with a .593 batting average and 42 runs scored. She also swiped 32 bases.
The Richland Source Pitcher of the Year is Plymouth’s Addyson Horne. The junior led he area with 17 wins and 271 strikeouts and had a 2.52 earned run average.
The future is bright for Ontario, which stunned Lexington in the sectional opener, thanks in part to pitcher Lauren Musille. The freshman struck out 99 and had a 2.53 ERA and six wins for the Warriors.
Freshman Haley Kanzig pitched Shelby past Ontario in the sectional championship game, lifting the Whippets to their first tournament victory since 2011. Kanzig had 13 wins and 71 strikeouts.
It was a rough season for Madison freshman Mackenzie Mullins, but the future is promising. Mullins started the season 3-0 before being sidelined by a leg injury. She had six wins and a 2.65 ERA.
