Trending
By KIM NORTH
Times Leader Sports Writer
MARTINS FERRY — Veteran softball coach Jerry Magistro is very excited about what the 2022 season can be for his Martins Ferry squad.
The Purple Riders return a dozen letterwinners from a 23-5 team that won the OVAC Class 3A and Buckeye 8 titles. However, a 10-9 loss to West Muskingum in the opening round of the Division III sectional tournament left everyone stunned.
“We had a great season last year and hope for a better one this season,” Magistro, who is 370-146 in his career at St. John Central (347 wins) and Martins Ferry, said. “We have the majority of our team returning, so we are looking for some good things. The key will be staying healthy.”
Indeed they do. Only two starters — Ava Doyle and Shelby Thomas — were lost to graduation while a dozen letterwinners are back.
Seniors Lauren McFarland (P/1B), Maria Clark (3B/P/1B), Hunter Pollock (2B/C), Nevaeh Hall (C) and Eve Agnew (CF) lead the talented group of returnees, while juniors Taylor Bell (1B/3B), Kelsi Gillespie (P), Kaylynn Zinn (OF) and Rylie Doyle (C/OF) and sophomores Danielle Lude (SS), Ella McFarland (P/OF) and Sydney Koller (OF) complete the letterwinners.
Lauren McFarland, a four-year letterwinner, was a Division III second team All-Ohio selection last season and the OVAC Class 3A Player of the Year, along with being first team all-Eastern District, All-Buckeye 8 and All-Times Leader. She hit a robust .452 with 42 hits and one home run. She was also the ace of the pitching staff.
Clark, another four-year vet, batted .418 with 38 hits which included a team-best seven home runs. She was also a first team All-Eastern District and All-OVAC selection, as well as earning All-Buckeye 8 and All-Times Leader.
Pollock is another four-year letterwinner who hit .416 with 42 hits and half-a-dozen homers last spring. She was first team All-Eastern District and All-OVAC performer, while also being named to the Buckeye 8 and Times Leader teams.
Hall was primarily the backup catcher to Thomas last season, but did bat .275 and hit a home run.
Agnew was the Purple Riders regular centerfielder last season. She has speed to cover the gaps.
Bell blasted five home runs and hit .416 with 42 hits last season. She earned second team all-Eastern District and all-OVAC honors.
Gillespie was a second team All-Eastern District selection and hit .333. She also saw action inside the pitcher’s circle.
Zinn and Doyle saw limited action last season, but are expected to see their playing time increase this year.
Lude, who missed nearly the entire basketball season with concussion symptoms, batted .438 with 46 hits and four home runs in earning first team all-Eastern District and all-OVAC honors. She was also a member of the all-Times Leader team.
Ella McFarland was a mainstay in right field last spring. She batted .337 and is expected to see some time inside the pitcher’s circle this year.
Koller saw action last year in the outfield.
Completing the roster are first-year senior Allarah Jones (OF); junior Trista Regis (2B/CF); sophomores Alexis Dobson (1B), Kyndahl Richardson (SS), Sarah Shreve (C) and Laci Zinn (2B/CF); and freshmen Madison Briggs (OF), Samantha Goddard (OF/C), Tessa Guthrie (3B/P), Averie Hughes (3B/OF) and Abigail Snedeker (P/OF).
The Purple Riders have added single games with Division II powerhouses Heath and John Glenn. They replace Steubenville Catholic.
Magistro is assisted by Curt Mele, Chuck Canter and Brittany Prager. The JV staff includes Tom Regis and Brian Goddard.