Talawanda coach Scott Davie has plenty of players who also remember that game. The Brave lost just one senior to graduation from the team that went 7-18 overall and 3-9 in the Southwest Ohio Conference to finish sixth out of seven teams and went on to lose 16-1 to top-seeded Mason in the second round of the tournament.
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“With only one senior graduating, we anticipate improved efforts in all four phases of the game — pitching, defense, hitting and baserunning,” Davie said. “Numerous upperclassmen paired with some solid younger players should allow the coaching staff some flexibility in determining the best overall lineup for the 2019 campaign.”
Among Talawanda’s most-accomplished returning players is junior third baseman Hannah Lightfield, who was named second-team all-conference last season after hitting .400 in 25 games. Lightfield’s classmate, catcher Kae’la Barger, returns after hitting a team-high .414 in 25 games on her way to earning honorable mention on the All-SWOC team.
Barger drove in 13 runs last season, tying 2019 seniors Kyndal Haven ad Reece Lindley for the team lead.
Senior Ashley Earick is expected to handle the bulk of the pitching chores. Earick finished 2018 with 55 strikeouts in 93 innings over 20 games while hitting .351 and leading the Brave with 19 runs scored.
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Sophomore Katie Jones also returns after hitting a promising .319 in 23 games as a freshman.
After meeting Mercy McAuley, Talawanda is scheduled to play six more nonconference games, starting at home against Hamilton on Tuesday.
The Brave are due to meet defending conference champion Harrison on April 10 at THS and April 12 at HHS.
“Multiple schools in our conference have depth and pitching, making things very interesting,” Davie said. “Very few easy games in conference play.”
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