Southeast’s Ava Stephens (left) and Morgan Muncy have formed a formidable duo in the Pirates’ batting lineup this season. Tom Nader/Portage Sports

By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Dear softball pitchers of Northeast Ohio: If you have found it difficult or maybe nearly impossible to record an out against Morgan Muncy and Ava Stephens, please do not get discouraged.

You are not alone.

In fact, you are part of the majority.

The pair of Southeast sluggers have dominated from their offices inside the batter’s box and the work production has been staggering this season.

Muncy, a junior, is on pace to set a new single-season record for batting average for the third consecutive season. After hitting .571 as a freshman, she hit .623 as a sophomore and currently is batting .632. She also has 43 hits, 11 doubles, eight triples, five home runs, 26 RBI and 41 runs scored.

Stephens, a senior, is hitting .548, with 34 hits, eight doubles, four triples, four home runs, 33 RBI, 24 runs scored and 17 stolen bases.

The dynamic duo, with both collecting their 100th career hit earlier this season, follow each other in the lineup, with Muncy in the No. 2 spot ahead of Stephens.

Watching from one of the best seats on the diamond, head coach Erin Muncy, Morgan’s mother, describes what it is like to see the two hit from her third base coach’s box as any synonym you can think of for confidence.

“I see them believe that they are going to get a hit,” Muncy said. “They are both very patient hitters, looking for their pitch. I also love watching their discipline at the plate and confidence with two strikes. I have very high expectations when they are up to bat, and I love to watch them succeed.”

Obviously, that is often, but not something that has happened out of nowhere. They have consistently put in the work and the results have followed.

“The level of play that Morgan and Ava are currently playing at is a direct reflection of their dedication and training,” coach Muncy said. “They both routinely see hitting coaches, and they have brought the best out of them and shaped them into the hitters they are today.”

And it has elevated the entire Southeast lineup.

With Lily Hayes leading off and consistently setting the table with a high on-base percentage, Muncy and Stephens typically find themselves in a position to drive in runs and keep the order moving with opportunities to hit with runners in scoring position for teammates Neena Truex, Lylia Lavigna, Miranda Timko and Bailey Morris, among others.

“Having Lily leadoff, Morgan in the second spot and Ava third makes the beginning of the game very difficult for the opposing teams,” coach Muncy said. “Our goal every game is to score in the very first inning and these three make it happen. Once the top of the order does the initial damage, we rely on the middle of the order to continue the scoring.”

Something they do often.

With a 16-6 overall record and an 11-4 mark in Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference play, the Pirates are averaging 9.1 runs per game this season.

For Muncy, it all starts with a calm confidence and trusting the work that she has put in to maximize her skill.

“I usually am calm in the box,” Morgan Muncy said. “I have confidence in myself, and I just stay ready, waiting for the right pitch. Once I see it coming, I focus on connecting, then feel that adrenaline from that good contact.”

It is the kind of adrenaline that both felt back on April 29, when they blasted back-to-back home runs over the left-center field fence in a victory over LaBrae.

“I remember running hard out of the box, but about halfway down the first-base line I watched the ball go over the fence and it was just a really cool moment for us,” Stephens said.

They had hit home runs in the same game before, but never back-to-back.

“I loved it,” coach Muncy said. “It was fun to watch because both balls landed in the same spot with two swings of the bat.”

From two of the most prolific hitters in Northeast Ohio.