By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

High school softball preview for the Aurora Greenmen’s upcoming 2023 season:

THE TEAM

Head Coach: Sam Petrash, 6th season, 61-33 career record.

Coaching Staff: Sarah Ross, Curtis Barker, Gregg Unverferth, Jerry Gattozzi.

2022 Record: 15-8 overall; 11-3 Suburban League American Division.

Returning Letterwinners (9): Maggie McVicker, sr.; McKennah Metzger, jr.; Madeline Dalessandro, jr.; Julia Miller, soph.; Sophie Petrash, soph.; Avery Qualters, soph.; Sophie Retton, soph.; Sophie Schechterman, soph.; Rayna Unverferth, soph.;

Letterwinners Lost (3): Mackenzie Krafcik, Ava Ryncarz, Kayla Ring.

Team Captains: None. “It is a team choice,” Petrash said. “The players want to play as equals and have fun performing for each other.”

Underclassmen to Watch: Lailah Bohanon, Alexis Kemble, Abby Dalessandro, Addison Witting.

SEASON OUTLOOK

“We are a young team with a high IQ, trust, skill and athleticism,” Petrash said. “We built a strong schedule to challenge us and help us reach our year-end goals.

“We are young, but we have a lot of experience,” said Petrash, who points to the team’s chemistry as a strength for the season.

“We also have a lot of flexibility to adjust to any game situation.”

INFIELD

Third baseman McVicker highlights the group and is an Otterbein commit, but there is plenty of versatility across the infield for the Greenmen.

McVicker totaled 27 hits (12 extra-base hits), 19 runs and hit eight doubles last year, being named Second Team All-Suburban League.

Metzger, Miller, Qualters, Retton and freshman Lailah Bohanon all provide depth at the corners.

Meanwhile, the middle infield is filled with athletes as well, including Petrash, Unverferth, Abby Dalessandro, along with freshman Alexis Kemble and Addison Witting.

OUTFIELD

This is a group that can “close space and also have strong arms,” according to Petrash.

Madeline and Abby Dalessandro both will get opportunities, as will Qualters, Retton and Witting.

CATCHER

Both Schechterman and Madeline Dalessandro will get time as the team’s catcher.

“Both have high softball IQs and take control of the defense in their own ways,” Petrash said.

PITCHING

Metzgar leads the staff and has committed to continue her academic and softball careers at Kent State.

She was the Suburban League’s Player of the Year last season, finishing with an 8-3 record and 1.93 earned-run average, with 80 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 61.3 innings of work.

At the plate, Metzger, who can also play first base, led Aurora with five home runs, 37 hits and 17 extra-base hits. She also had 12 doubles, batted .446 and drove in 27.

Retton and Bohanon give the Greenmen depth.

“All three are strong pitchers,” Petrash said.

SCHEDULE

March 27: vs. Olentangy Berlin (Florida Tournament)

March 28: vs. Trinity Christian Academy (Florida Tournament)

March 30: at Austintown Fitch

April 1: at Nordonia (DH)

April 3: vs. Tallmadge

April 5: at Kent Roosevelt

April 6: vs. Solon

April 7: at North Canton Hoover

April 10: vs. Barberton

April 11: vs. Cuyahoga Falls

April 12: vs. Highland

April 14: at Revere

April 15:  vs. Green (DH)

April 17: vs. Copley

April 19: at Cuyahoga Falls

April 21: at Tallmadge

April 22: vs. Boardman (DH)

April 24: vs. Kent Roosevelt

April 26: at Barberton

April 27: at Copley

May 1: at Highland

May 3: vs. Revere

May 4: at Walsh Jesuit