Derrick Webb

Derrick is SOSA's chief content coordinator and has worked for the Chillicothe Gazette, the Portsmouth Daily Times and Eleven Warriors. He's a 13-time award-winning journalist, a self-proclaimed baseball purist, a suffering Bengals fan and has never met a stranger.

SOFTBALL: 15 players to watch for this spring

March 22, 2023
, 8:15 pm
, Features

These 15 players are poised for big years on the diamond.

Derrick Webb, Staff Writer

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

Believe it or not, the end of another school year is near, and that means softball season is back in full swing — pun intended.

West shortstop Emily Moore was a force to reckoned with last spring, hitting .451 with 11 homers.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

After a long winter, the girls of spring are ready to take the field once again and we expect big things from an array of clubs in Southern Ohio.

As we get reacquainted with the diamond, here’s a list of 15 players in our coverage area, and in no particular order, to keep an eye on this spring.

NOTE: This certainly does not mean there aren’t other players who will have great seasons. This is simply a list of 15 players we’ve randomly compiled.

Olivia Banks, Athens

Rather quietly, the Athens Bulldogs have enjoyed a ton of success on the diamond over the past two seasons. Banks is one of the main reasons why. She’s a feared hitter, she’s an exceptional fielder and she’s a leader in the team’s clubhouse. Athens was in a district final last season. Look for the Bulldogs to make a deep run this year as well, with Banks leading the way.

Kaylee Salyer, Fairland

After hitting .346 and posting a 1.96 ERA last season in the circle, Salyer is poised for another big season this spring. The junior led the Dragons to a 15-11 mark last season and was phenomenal along the way. Fairland should compete for an Ohio Valley Conference title and Salyer will be the main piece to that puzzle. If you haven’t heard of her, go see her play.

Westfall’s Delana Landefeld is coming off a year where she hit .537.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

Delana Landefeld, Westfall

Landefeld isn’t just one of the Mustangs’ best hitters. She’s one of the entire league’s. After finishing last year with a .537 batting average, the senior is looking to be even better in 2023. She’s constantly on base, she’s always a tough out and she’s feared with runners in scoring position. If you’re looking for one of the area’s best all-around players, here’s your option.

Greenlee Bossert, Adena

Efficient. That’s what Bossert has been over the past two seasons. But she’s never been better than she was as a junior. While the Warriors enjoyed an 18-win season and a sectional championship win, Bossert won 15 games in the circle alongside a 2.49 ERA and 69 strikeouts. Adena will be looking to build upon last season’s success and Bossert will lead the charge.

Catie Boggs, Wheelersburg

There are so many names you could throw out for Wheelersburg. But Boggs doesn’t get the credit she may deserve. As a freshman, she was a key piece to a Division III state championship puzzle, starting at shortstop on a nightly basis and anchoring the leadoff spot.

Lexi Scott, Zane Trace

There’s a different level of power that Scott packs in her bat each night. As a junior, she hit .467 alongside seven home runs, 30 runs scored and 31 RBIs. She also stole 12 bags for good measure. While proving her worth as a five-tool player in the middle of the Pioneers’ lineup, Scott led the team to 13-9 mark and a sectional title. Expect her to be even better this spring.

Zane Trace’s Lexi Scott hit. 467 alongside seven home runs and 31 RBIs as a junior.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

Morgan Daniels, Unioto

There are many, many … many … names we could include on this list from Unioto. Daniels would be in that group but she’s often overlooked. The left-handed speedster is a menace on the base paths — and she’s usually on them. The Shermans will compete for league, sectional and district titles. There’s no doubt about that. But Daniels could be the key to winning them.

Kyndall Ford, Notre Dame

She’s insanely-talented. It’s really that simple when it comes to Ford. Need a reminder? She hit .550 alongside three homers and 21 RBIs for a regional final team last season while going 4-0 in the circle with a 1.40 ERA. Notre Dame expects to compete for a regional championship this spring, as it should. Ford will be a huge key to making it happen. She does everything well.

Cam Spruell, Hillsboro

Without a doubt, Spruell is one of the coverage area’s best young talents. As a freshman, she was a force both in the circle and at the dish while leading her Indians to a league championship. She was also a first-team all-FAC and all-district honoree — freshmen don’t make that list for kicks and giggles. Spruell will be even better this spring … a scary thought.

Emily Moore, West

The Senators, by all accounts, had one of the best seasons in school history last year. Moore was at the center of that storm. She led West to 26 victories while hitting a team-leading .451. That went along with 11 home runs, 42 runs scored, 23 extra-base hits and 36 RBIs. Moore and her teammates are looking for another ultra-successful season. It’s certainly a possibility.

Caitlyn Quickle, Fairfield

As usual, Fairfield was an elite team last spring. The Lions were 20-5 and played in a district final. Quickle spearheaded that charge. She spent her sophomore season hitting .575 with 17 doubles and posted an on-base percentage of .609. She also left a humongous mark in the circle, tossing a 0.85 ERA alongside 141 strikeouts. Expect her to be even better this spring.

Fairfield’s Caitlyn Quickle led the Lions to a district championship game last season.
CREDIT: *Marissa Spradlin/SOSA*

Shea Edgington, Clay

When the Panthers needed a hit in a big spot last spring, Edgington was there to answer the call. The sophomore helped Clay reach a district semifinal and go 14-8 overall. This season, she’ll be asked to be even more of a leader in the dugout while the Panthers try to mimic their past success with a fairly young roster. That group will look to Edgington for guidance.

Skylar Zimmerman, South Webster

The success that Zimmerman had on the diamond last year was possibly overshadowed by the Jeeps’ impressive tournament run. But make no mistake … Zimmerman was one of the better players in the surrounding areas. She was a first-team all-conference selection while helping South Webster win 18 games. She’ll be an unquestioned leader this spring.

Chandler Hayes, Circleville

It’s no secret how good the MSL-Buckeye’s softball scene is. Hayes is one of the best players in the league. That says all you need to know. As a junior, she batted .522 alongside eight doubles, three triples, and 24 runs scored while stealing 17 bases. If the Tigers have a deep tournament run in them, Hayes will be a big reason why. Keep your eyes on her.

Grace Prewitt, Eastern Brown

You can expect Eastern Brown to compete for the conference title. Prewitt is the reason why. In the circle last year, she absolutely slung it. But she was equally as dominant at the plate, posing a threat every time she stepped to the dish. Prewitt, now a junior, is coming off an all-league selection and will look to add to her trophy case. Opponents have now been warned.