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Magistro takes over Ferry softball

By KIM NORTH

Times Leader Sports Writer

MARTINS FERRY — After a very lengthy and successful career as head softball coach at St. John Central, Jerry Magistro was poised to take over the reins at Martins Ferry last spring. However, COVID-19 wiped out the entire campaign.

While Magistro is excited to get his first season in Purple underway, the players are equally ready to get back in action.

“They are very excited. After practicing all the way up to the first scrimmage last season and then finding out they were unable to play, the girls are eager to get back on the field,” Magistro said.

The schedule-maker did the Purple Riders a favor as 15 of their 27 regular-season games will be played at home, including seven of the first 10.

Those two seniors are Shelby Thomas (C) and Ava Doyle (OF), two of half-a-dozen returning letterwinners. However, neither have played since their freshmen seasons.

The junior class has four letterwinners from two seasons ago when they saw extended action as freshmen.

They include Eve Agnew (OF); Maria Clark (P/1B/SS/3B); Lauren McFarland (1B/P); and Hunter Pollock (C/2B).

Rounding out the junior class is Neveah Hall (C/3B).

The veteran head coach is pleased with four sophomores: Taylor Bell (3B); Rylie Doyle (OF); Kaylinn Zinn (OF); and Kelsi Gillespie (P/2B).

Magistro is also pleased with what he has seen out of freshmen Danielle Lude (SS) and Ella McFarland (P/OF).

He said that sophomore Trista Regis (OF), along with freshmen Sydney Koller (OF), Sarah Shreve (C/OF), Alexis Dobson (OF), Kyndahl Richardson (OF), Laci Zinn (OF) and Samantha Velasco (OF) will comprise the JV roster.

The team strengths, according to Magistro, will be powerful hitting, returning experience and pitching depth.

“We have multiple pitchers that have been working hard all year,” he added. “They have been getting better with each practice.”

On the flip side, the team weaknesses will be the fact that Magistro is a new coach to many of the players and lack of team speed.

“Just not being able to get with the girls due to all the changes and restrictions from COVID put us a little behind, but the girls have been working hard to make that up.”

Lost to graduation without playing their senior seasons were Haleigh Boyer, Kara Kapiskosky, Sidne Sidon and Jaden Stalder.

Magistro will be assisted by long-time friend Curt Mele; Kollin Campanizzi; Brian McFarland; Chuck Canter; and Babe Sidon.

Martins Ferry has picked up two games each with Steubenville, Buckeye Trail; Cambridge; Monroe Central; and Wheeling Central. They play Toronto once. Gone from the schedule are Weir and Wheeling Park.

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