Shannon Eldreth/Special to Portage Sports

By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The high school softball preview for the Field Falcons’ 2023 season:

THE TEAM

Head Coach: Beth Dyer, 17th year, 308-90 career record.

Coaching Staff: Bob Bauer, Dan Battaglia, Ashley Mack.

2022 Record: 23-4 overall record; 14-0 Metro Athletic Conference.

Returning Letterwinners (7): Megan Schmidt, sr.; Bailey Evans, sr.; Anna Harlin, sr.; Maddie Burge, soph.; Tia Ulrich, soph.; Kailyn Gressman, soph.; Olivia  Dyer, soph.

Letterwinners Lost (6): Mallie Ruscitti, Devon Carpenter, Sarah Rufener, Carlee Chambers, Kelly Troup, Delaney Richmond.

Team Captains: Megan Schmidt, Bailey Evans.

Underclassmen to Watch: Delilah Rahe, Mckayla Miller, Jessica Pollard.

SEASON OUTLOOK

“We are playing a tough schedule this year, and we look forward to some great competition,” head coach Beth Dyer said.

The Falcons are coming off a championship a year ago in the Metro Athletic Conference and return two First Team All-MAC players in Megan Schmidt and Maddie Burge.

INFIELD

First Base — Olivia Dyer returns for her sophomore season after having a strong freshman year, which included 20 hits.

Second Base — Senior Megan Schmidt is the leader of the infield.

“She has great softball knowledge and is a leader on and off the field,” Dyer said.

Last year, Schmidt had a .900 fielding percentage.

At the plate, she had a .461 average, 47 hits, eight doubles, nine home runs, 42 RBI and 26 runs scored.

Shortstop — Sophomore Tia Ulrich returns for her sophomore season after a strong freshman campaign.

She finished 2022 with 22 hits, 22 RBI, 19 runs scored and a pair of home runs.

Third Base — Kailyn Gressman and Olivia Bey will be new to third base this year to fill in for the graduated Mallie Ruscitti.

“They are hard working young lades, who have stepped up to get playing time this year,” Dyer said.

Catcher — Senior Bailey Evans returns as the starter.

She caught every inning for the Falcons last year and was “helpful with developing the young pitchers,” according to Dyer.

In all of the innings, Evans had just one error in 143 chances.

OUTFIELD

There will be plenty of new faces in the outfield this season, including Delilah Rahe, Jessica Pollard, Mckayla Miller and Cassidy Wells.

PITCHING STAFF

Sophomore Maddie Burge led the team in wins (13), strikeouts (66), innings pitched and ERA (2.04) last season.

REASON TO BE OPTIMISTIC

“We return half the team from last year in some key spots. The returners had a great 2022 season and want to continue their success into 2023,” Dyer said.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“We are very young, with eight sophomores,” Dyer said. “We lost a great group of seniors, who not only were key contributors to every game last year, but were experienced players.”

SCHEDULE

March 25: at Ursuline

March 29: vs. Streetsboro

March 30: vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary

March 31: at Champion (DH)

April 1: at Canfield, 11 a.m.

April 1: at Boardman, 1 p.m.

April 3: at Ravenna

April 4: vs. Springfield

April 10: at Coventry

April 11: at Woodridge

April 13: vs. Norton

April 14: at Louisville

April 15: at Hudson (DH)

April 17: at Springfield

April 18: at Cloverleaf

April 22: vs. Green at George Duhon Memorial Tournament

April 22: vs. Alliance at George Duhon Memorial Tournament

April 24: vs. Ravenna

April 25: at Streetsboro

May 1: vs. Coventry

Mary 2: at Norton

May 4: vs. Woodridge

May 8: vs. Cloverleaf