By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The high school softball preview for the Crestwood Red Devils and their upcoming 2023 season:

THE TEAM

Head Coach: LeRoy Moore, 11th year, 169-66 career record.

Coaching Staff: Eric Davis, Jenna Creque, Jenna Horschler, Jeremy Hunter.

2022 Record: 11-5 overall, 9-1 Chagrin Valley Conference.

Returning Letterwinners (8): Aimee Barnauskas, sr.; Olivia Gullatta, sr.; Bella Hunter, jr.; Mia Gullatta, jr.; Kayleigh Helm, soph.; Maddy Dustman, soph.; Alyssa Hallis, soph.; Erin Hallis, soph.

Letterwinners Lost (2): Mikayla Berquist, Gianna Kalista.

Underclassmen to Watch: Alyssa Hallis, Bella Hunter.

SEASON OUTLOOK

The reigning Chagrin Valley Conference champions have enough talent to compete for a repeat, according to head coach Leroy Moore.

Moore also believes that Berkshire and Wickliffe will be challengers for the title.

“We really don’t have any newcomers, so we all have experience playing with each other,” Moore said.

“(However), we are young, so a lot will depend on how we handle adversity.”

INFIELD

The Red Devils’ infield will be made up of Kayleigh Helm at first base, Mia Gullatta at second, Aimee Barnauskas at shortstop and Maddy Dustman at third base.

OUTFIELD

From left field to right, the Devils’ lineup will include Erin Hallis, Alyssa Hallis and Kaitlyn Huffman.

Alyssa Hallis batted .407 last season.

CATCHER

Behind the plate will be Olivia Gullatta, who hit for a .364 average last season and had 12 RBI.

PITCHING STAFF

Bella Hunter and Mia Gullatta will share the pitching duties this season for Crestwood.

The duo will replace Mikayla Berquist, who was the team’s No. 1 last year and has since graduated.

Berquist pitched 65.2 innings last year, while Hunter, who also hit .370, scored 19 runs and drove in 13, at the plate a year ago, delivered 25 innings.

SCHEDULE

March 25: vs. Streetsboro (DH)

March 27: vs. Rootstown

March 30: at Howland

April 1: at Dalton (DH)

April 3: vs. Berkshire

April 4: vs. Wickliffe

April 6: at Brookfield

April 8: at Edgewood (DH)

April 11: at Kirtland

April 12: at West Geauga

April 14: vs. Mogadore

April 15: vs. Cuyahoga Heights

April 15: vs. Canton Central Catholic

April 17: vs. Cardinal

April 19: at Berkshire

April 20: at Firestone

April 24: at Wickliffe

April 26: vs. Kirtland

April 29: vs. LaBrae (DH)

May 1: vs. West Geauga

May 3: at Cardinal

May 4: at Kenston

May 6: vs. United

May 8: at Western Reserve Academy

Photo credit: Sheila Mathers