BYESVILLE − A year older and a year wiser has the two-time Division III district champion Meadowbrook High softball team confident and better prepared for their second consecutive Division III regional tournament appearance.
And once again, the Colts will be facing two-time defending D-III state champion Wheelersburg High, which ended their OHSAA postseason run a year ago.
Moments after his young squad's 12-0 setback to the Pirates in their Division III regional semifinal matchup last season, head coach Sean Frizzell confidently predicted his Colts would be back this year.
"We will be here again next year," Frizzell said confidently following that game. "There is no doubt Meadowbrook will win the East District again next year, and we will be ready to compete even better next year. Our young kids gained a lot of experience and that will make us stronger next season."
The reason for Frizzell's confident prediction was his young squad. A year ago, he fielded five freshmen starters, two juniors and one sophomore, with only one senior, Maddie May, in the starting lineup.
That talented group has made good on Frizzell's prediction and returns looking to secure a different outcome this time around.
Meadowbrook returns a total of eight starters, who will take the field for a second straight regional appearance versus the Pirates.
Seniors Taylor Sichina, Hailey Fordyce, Mackenzie Krenisky, juniors Alexx Combs, Addy Wiggins, sophomores Jordyn Vargeson, Sommer Ginn, and Addy Sichina all return to the starting lineup.
Newcomers who will take starting spots Wednesday are sophomore transfer Mckendell Boyer and freshman Natalee Norman.
Rounding out the Meadowbrook roster are reserves junior Bethany Dickey, sophomores Asie Poland, Addy Randles, Jaycee Eubanks, Hailey Arnold and freshman Chloe Callahan.
Frizzell's coaching staff includes Mike Wiggins and Veronica Vargeson with Liv Gray as the Colts' scorekeeper.
Colts have respect for Wheelersburg, but no fear
Frizzell and his Colts know full well the tough challenge they face again, but they are looking forward to getting a bit of payback this time around.
"We feel we can compete with anybody," Frizzell said. "Now we have to get past the two-time defending champs in Wheelersburg if we want to get to the state championship. We had a team goal this year, to get back to regionals and beat Wheelersburg and get back the respect they took from us last year.
"I feel we matchup much better with them," Frizzell added. "And we are a year older and have a much better idea of what we are up against. They are a very good team, and it won't be easy. But we feel we are a pretty good team ourselves, and we are excited to get another crack at them."
Wheelersburg collected three more wins after getting past the Colts last season to complete a perfect 29-0 season along with a Division III state title with a 6-0 win over Indian Lake in last year's championship contest.
Wheelersburg punched its return trip to the D-III regionals with a convincing 15-2 win over Fairfield to capture the Southeast District title for the second consecutive season.
The Pirates' record stands at 21-2, which includes a 12-game winning streak heading into this year's matchup with the 21-10 Colts, which takes place at 2 p.m. Wednesday, at the Ohio University softball field in Athens.
Meadowbrook senior Taylor Sichina, whose clutch push bunt delivered the game-winning run in Thursday's 3-2 walk off win over Sandy Valley to secure the Colts' second straight Division III district title and a repeat regional berth explained getting another shot a Wheelersburg has been an inspiration all season for the Colts.
"Everyone has been saying all year, this is our "Revenge Tour," Sichina said. "We wanted to get another shot at Wheelersburg this year. Now we have that opportunity again on Wednesday at OU. We are very excited and are so looking forward to it."
With being a freshman last year, sophomore Jordyn Vargeson admitted she might have been a tad bit intimidated by the Wheelersburg squad in last year's matchup ... but this year enters with confidence in herself and her team.
"We were young, and I know that I was intimidated knowing their record last year," Vargeson said. "I also know that I can step up challenge along with my team. Wheelersburg is undoubtedly a great team, but we are, too. So, we are going to give it our best effort this year."
Vargeson gives credit to Sichinia for coming up with the "Revenge Tour" motivational catch phrase the Colts used for motivation during the season.
"Taylor named it 'The Revenge Tour,' and it helped us keep motivated", Vargeson said. "We knew last year that we dropped the ball on a few games and wanted those games back. With Wheelersburg being one of them. We feel like we left last season unfinished. Getting as far as we did last year only made us want to go further this year."
Sophomore Sommer Ginn feels Meadowbrook will be more relaxed and prepared this time around against Wheelersburg.
"Last year we went into the regionals and didn't really know what it was all about," Ginn said. "Maybe had a little bit of just glad to be there going on, but now we know what to expect, and who we need to beat. They (Wheelersburg) are a good team, no doubt, but I think we are much better prepared this time around."
Meadowbroook will take on Wheelersburg on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Athens at the Ohio University softball field.
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