Spring is rapidly approaching in Athens, Ohio, and along with the warmer weather comes the return of the Ohio softball season. This season, the Bobcats will begin the 2025 campaign in Elon, North Carolina where they will compete in the Elon Softball Classic.
Ohio was picked to finish first in the Mid-American Conference by the conference’s coaches Tuesday, and it was also picked as the favorite to win the MAC tournament, earning the vote of nine of the 11 coaches in the conference.
The returning players are part of the reason that it was picked to finish first in the MAC. Coming back for the Bobcats are likes of Skipp Miller, Shelby Westler, Izzie Wilson and Mikie Lieving. Miller in particular projects to be one of the best pitchers in the MAC this season, and will certainly serve as the team’s ace on the mound.
The first opportunity for Ohio to show its talent will be coming on Thursday when Ohio opens its season in Elon against North Carolina Central.
Series Information
Opponents: North Carolina Central, Elon, UConn, UNC Greensboro
Times: Thursday at 11 a.m., Thursday at 1:30 p.m., Friday at 9:30 a.m., Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
Location: Hunt Softball Park (Elon, North Carolina)
Where to Watch: FloSports
Game One: North Carolina Central
2024 Record: 20-36 overall, 14-7 MEAC
Head Coach: Now-Allah James (1st season)
Returning Statistical Leaders
Batting Average: Kendall Smith (.331)
Hits: Smith (41)
On-Base Percentage: Tyler Suttles (.386)
Home Runs: Smith (3)
RBIs: Smith (13)
Innings Pitched: Jaden Davis (188.1)
Strikeouts: Davis (116)
ERA: Davis (3.16)
NC Central lost its head coach of four years in Cat Tarvin this offseason, as Tarvin became the head coach for fellow HBCU Hampton. Thankfully for new head coach James he will have a few key pieces to work with in his first season at the helm in Smith at the plate, and Davis on the mound.
Game Two: Elon
2024 Record: 23-29 overall, 17-10 CAA
Head Coach: Kathy Bocock (15th season)
Returning Statistical Leaders
Batting Average: Mauri Murray (.361)
Hits: Murray (52)
On-Base Percentage: Murray (.436)
Home Runs: Gabi Schaal (11)
RBI: Allee Seering (40)
Innings Pitched: McKenna McCard (122)
Strikeouts: McCord (85)
ERA: McCord (2.52)
Elon had a solid season in the CAA last year but fell short in the tournament, loosing both games that it played in. This season should be a step up in Kathy Bocock’s 15th year at the school with Murray and McCord getting another year to develop and improve for the Phoenix.
Games Three: UConn
2024 Record: 31-24 overall, 16-8 Big East
Head Coach: Laura Valentino (6th season)
Returning Statistical Leaders
Batting Average: Lexi Hastings (.392)
Hits: Hastings (69)
On-Base Percentage: Hastings (.447)
Home Runs: Rosie Garcia (10)
RBI: Grace Jenkins (40)
Innings Pitched: Payton Kinney (99)
Strikeouts: Kinney (113)
ERA: Kinney (2.33)
UConn will arguably be the toughest team that Ohio will face while the team competes in the Elon Softball Classic. The Huskies had a good year last year but fell short in the Big East tournament. This season, they will be returning a ton of production, and head coach Valentino will be searching for her first Big East tournament title.
Game Four: UNC Greensboro
2024 Record: 33-26 overall, 13-8 SoCon
Head Coach: Janelle Breneman (13th season)
Returning Statistical Leaders:
Batting Average: Grace Loftin (.323)
Hits: Jessie Shipley (53)
On-Base Percentage: Loftin (.471)
Home Runs: Loftin (13)
RBI: Loftin (35)
Innings Pitched: Rhyann Jones (103)
Strikeouts: Salem Ward (60)
ERA: Ward (3.04)
UNC Greensboro is another tough test for Ohio as they are another team with an experienced head coach in Breneman. Under her lead last season the Spartans made it to the SoCon tournament championship game but lost to Chattanooga. With returners such as Ward, Jones and Loftin, the Spartans will be hungry to return to the title game and start their season hot in Elon.
