Westfall looking to compete, defend state crown

WILLIAMSPORT – The hunters have now become the hunted.

After a glorious 1-0 win over Bloom Carroll in last year’s Division III state championship game, Westfall’s softball team will enter the 2015 season as the defending state champions with a gigantic target on its back.

The Mustangs — who’s final overall record stood at 29-3 last year — will also be walking into the new year as the defending SVC champs after winning the 2014 title outright with a 13-1 mark in league play.

After losing starting pitcher Gina Rosshirt — who threw 187 pitches in the state championship contest — and starting shortstop Kayla Tackett — who acted as the catalyst at the top of last year’s lineup — to graduation, Westfall will return seven starters from last year’s team to the diamond.

Replacing Rosshirt will be a tall task but the Mustangs are looking to rely on Becca Brown, Cassidy Williams and Emily Robinson to serve as the committee to try and do it.

While all three possess decent skill sets of their own, there’s no doubt they’ll be looking to simply stay around the plate so that their defense can help them out as much as possible.

That defense will be led by Williams (1B) — when she’s not in the pitcher’s cirlce — as well as Denise Arledge (SS), Kelsie Robinson (2B/3B) and Emily Robinson (3B).

Behind the dish, Regan Stonerock will be calling games for Westfall.

In the outfield, senior Kelly Fuchs will return to her left field position and will be joined by Lauren Smith in center and Holley Webb in right field.

Courtney Park, Makayla Terry, Alissa Wickline and Ashley Salmons will all also be on the Mustangs’ lineup card, providing assistance when needed.

When all is put together, the Mustangs have a solid lineup that has a healthy mix of power and speed. If they can continue to find way to score, rely on their gloves and come together, they may very easily be going on another lengthy postseason run.

Young baseball team seeks improvement

They may be a baseball club that’s full of youth, but that doesn’t mean the Westfall Mustangs don’t expect to be competitive in every single contest they take part in this season.

After finishing last year with an overall mark of 13-14 and a 6-8 record in Scioto Valley Conference play, the Mustangs are looking to continue to climb the ranks in one of the most talented high school baseball leagues in all of southern Ohio.

In order to accomplish that, Westfall will rely on their four returning seniors — Cole Hardin, Gavin Howard, Brandon Price and Devon Younkin — to lead the team — especially Hardin, who’s a three year starter.

Hardin, along with junior Dustin Kaiser, will be expected to lead the offensive charge.

“They’re both three year starters. They’re two of the bigger parts of our lineup and we look for some good things out of them as they work hard to keep improving year in and year out,” Westfall coach Trevor Thomas said. “Last year, they moved into the leadership roles and we’ll expect even more of that this season.”

On the mound, it’ll be junior Kyle Greiner who will throw the bulk of the innings.

“Kyle has come a long way since his freshman year,” Thomas said. “Last year, he assumed the role as our number two on varsity and he really worked hard on his pitching aspect of the game in the summer and last fall. He’s much improved. He’ll come in as our ace this year.”

Also gracing the Mustangs roster are juniors Justin Butcher (OF) and Hunter Fast (OF).

A sophomore group of six includes newcomers Dalton Cline (IF/P), Jon Lawson (OF), Trey Jordan (UT) and Chase Meyers (IF) along with returning starters Tyler Armentrout (DH/1B) and Cobin Ferrell (C).

The lone freshman on the team is Austin Nunamaker (IF/P), who rounds out the roster.

“We have gotten three scrimmages in and we’ve seen a lot of growth in our younger kids,” Thomas said. “I expect them to keep growing and get better day in and day out. They’re going to make mistakes but we want them to battle through those.”

As far as expectations go, the Mustangs’ main goal consists of simply competing.

“Even with our youth, I think we’ll be competitive,” Thomas said. “I think that it’s one of those things where youth and can go one of two ways. We’re going to go out there, give it our best shots and let the chips fall where they may.”