County softball season taking shape

Area softball teams are beginning to take shape as the season moves deeper into April, with Dover staying unbeaten, Strasburg-Franklin and Sandy Valley off to strong starts and several standout hitters and pitchers putting up big early numbers across the county. Here is a look at the county’s nine softball teams:

Claymont: The Mustangs entered the week at 7-7 overall and 2-4 in the IVC South. Senior Ava Edwards was off to a strong start, hitting .468 in 47 at-bats. She had a team-best seven doubles and one triple and shared the team lead with 15 runs scored. Freshman Riley Fair and sophomore Hayden Lawhun each had 10 RBIs.

Dover: The Tornadoes opened the season 11-0 overall and 4-0 in the Ohio Cardinal Conference, looking like a strong contender to repeat as state champions. Junior Alli Hupp was hitting .538 in 39 at-bats with five doubles, two triples and 13 runs scored. Sophomore Ariana Immel was batting .410 with six doubles, one triple and three home runs, along with 14 RBIs and 11 runs scored. Freshman Abby Lint was hitting .375 with three home runs, eight RBIs and eight runs scored. She also was 6-0 in the circle with a 0.41 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 34 innings. Senior Kara Lint was 5-0 with a 0.81 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings.

Indian Valley: The Braves entered Tuesday’s games at 2-9 overall and 2-4 in the IVC. Junior Natalie Musser was hitting .448 in 29 at-bats and led the team with nine runs scored. Junior Cambrye Pall paced the Braves with 10 RBIs.

New Philadelphia: The Quakers were 4-7 overall and 0-4 in the Ohio Cardinal Conference entering Tuesday. Freshman Brylinne Smith was hitting .353 and shared the team lead with six runs scored. Senior Sara Cardani was batting .324 with two home runs and nine RBIs. Senior Jillian Howard led the pitching staff with a 2.46 ERA and 22 strikeouts in more than 31 innings.

Newcomerstown: The Trojans were 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the IVC entering Tuesday. Freshman Kristen Barker and senior Maddie Kellish were each hitting .364. Barker shared the team lead with 10 RBIs, while Kellish led with 11 runs scored. Kellish also had three doubles, one home run and a team-best .517 on-base percentage.

Sandy Valley: The Cardinals were 9-3 overall and 1-2 in the IVC entering Tuesday. Sophomore Bella Meade was hitting .500 in 40 at-bats with seven doubles, one triple and three home runs, along with 16 RBIs and 19 runs scored. Senior Teresa Petro and sophomore Brooklyn Davis led the team with 21 and 23 RBIs, respectively. All three players had three home runs, while Petro and Davis were both hitting .429. In the circle, Meade was 6-3 with a 2.25 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 59 innings.

Strasburg-Franklin: The Tigers were 9-2 overall and 4-0 in the IVC. Senior Olivia Spidell, a key contributor to the basketball team’s state title, was hitting .531 in 32 at-bats with six doubles, one triple and four home runs. She had 15 RBIs and 19 runs scored. Senior Ella Gilkerson was batting .455 with three doubles, two triples, two home runs and 10 RBIs. Senior Miley Reifenschneider was 7-1 in the circle with a 1.65 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 51 innings.

Tuscarawas Central Catholic: The Saints were 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the IVC. Sophomore Lynsie Tienarend led the team with a .476 average in 21 at-bats, including four doubles, one triple and two home runs, while also driving in 11 runs and scoring 10. Senior Ellen Norris was hitting .440 with a team-high 13 runs scored, while sophomore Saniyah Weston was batting .409 with 10 RBIs and nine runs scored.

Tusky Valley: The Trojans were 6-2 overall and 4-0 in the IVC. Junior Brennan Reichman was having a standout season, hitting .630 in 27 at-bats with five doubles, two home runs, 11 RBIs and 11 runs scored. She also was 6-0 in the circle with a 0.00 ERA in 40 innings, striking out 89 while allowing just 18 hits and 10 walks. Freshman Aleah Orvisky was hitting .500 in 26 at-bats with four doubles, while junior Elliott Wallick was batting .400 with 10 RBIs, nine runs, three doubles, one triple and two home runs.