Some familiar teams are looking to make their way through regional softball action this week.
In Division II, Maumee (20-8, 10-4 Northern Buckeye Conference) returns to the regionals after reaching the D-II regional finals a year ago when the Panthers lost 10-5 to eventual state champion Tallmadge.
The Panthers will face Northwest Ohio Athletic League champion Bryan (19-5, 7-0), which is making its third straight trip to the D-II regionals under fifth-year coach Samantha Molina, a 2014 Maumee grad and former Panthers player.
That game is set for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Shelby High School. The regional final against either Lexington or Akron Springfield is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday.
The young Panthers of seventh-year coach Brian Jones have been paced offensively by sophomore center fielder Autumn Gugger (.515, 25 RBI, 40 runs), sophomore catcher Taylor Smith (.450, 4 HR, 22 RBIs, 42 runs), senior shortstop Lilly Duling (.423, 10 HR, 47 RBIs, 33 runs), freshman catcher Julia Coutcher (.400, 2 HR, 21 RBIs, 30 runs), and sophomore pitcher Hannah Ruiz (.385, 17 RBIs), who is 15-3 in the circle with a 2.87 ERA.
“I think it was more hoped for than expected,” coach Jones said of Maumee returning to regionals. “I don't think you ever expect to get to the regionals, especially with the talent we have around [the northwest Ohio area]. Last year, I think we surprised some teams, because we did not have a good record. We just caught fire at the end and ended up beating Lake and Otsego in the districts, and then beat Ontario in the regionals.
“This year it was a little more difficult because we were the No. 1 seed, and I think a lot of people expected it. I think the loss to Tallmadge last year motivated the returning seniors to work hard and play better to try to get back to where we were last year.”
Bryan's Golden Bears counter with sophomore pitching/hitting standout Thea Staten, who is 15-4 with a 1.18 ERA and 236 strikeouts in 118 innings and is batting .487 with 8 homers and 37 RBIs with 27 runs scored. Staten has 531 strikeouts in two seasons.
The Bears also get help from freshman shortstop Amiyah Langham (.400, 32 runs), and the senior trio of Marlee Yoder (.389), Kailee Thiel (.356, 15 RBI), and Ella Voigt (.347, 15 RBI).
“The girls on our team are incredible athletes that have changed the idea of girls sports in our community,” Molina said of the Golden Bears' three straight regional runs. “Our current athletes, and the ones that have come before them, have paved the way of success in so many different ways.
“These girls are dedicated and gritty. I hope that energy guides them throughout the remainder of this year, and guides the underclassmen beyond them. Our keys to success have been to bring enthusiasm to each game, focus on one pitch at a time, and to have fun.”
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