Wooster softball builds momentum

Although the won-loss record doesn’t reflect it, the Wooster softball program is on the rise, led by freshman shortstop-pitcher Kayla Reid and center fielder-pitcher Avery Williams.

Reid was named the Ohio Cardinal Conference Player of the Year, and Williams was a first-team honoree.

The Generals entered the week of May 18 with a 7-14 overall record but return their entire starting lineup next season with a strong eighth-grade class set to join in 2027.

The Generals have moved up from Division III to II and earned the 17th seed for the sectional-district. They will host No. 20 Solon May 19 in a district semifinal and hope to extend this season as long as possible.

“We're heading in the right direction,” Generals coach Jimmy Williams said. “We are really young. We start six freshmen, and we've been competitive in every game, so our record is not really a reflection of the progress we're making.

"We're in one of the toughest conferences in the state. Dover was a state champion last year, Madison was in the regional finals and Lexington was a state finalist. Every day in the OCC is a battle, and we're right there with all of them.”

Leadoff hitter Reid was rewarded for an outstanding regular season by the OCC coaches with the POTY Award, almost unheard of for a freshman on a team with a losing record.

Reid leads Wooster in batting average (.584), hits (45), runs (38) and stolen bases (25). She has two doubles, two triples and one home run. On the mound, Reid was second on the team with 34 innings pitched and led the way with 53 strikeouts. She has a 6.17 ERA.

“Winning (OCC POTY) is a huge accomplishment, let alone as a freshman,” Williams said. “Kayla is just a dynamic softball player, a phenomenal shortstop. She's got such great quickness, great hands and knows the game. Every time she steps in the batter’s box, she's such a tough out with her speed. She's a true triple threat. She can slap, bunt and swing away. She just creates a lot of chaos at the top of our order.”

Avery Williams has excelled under the watchful eye of coach-dad Jimmy Williams, providing the perfect complement in the No. 2 spot in the batting order behind Reid. Avery is batting .384 and leads the team in doubles (nine), triples (four), home runs (four) and RBI (30).

“I love coaching this game, and to have the opportunity to coach Avery as well has been awesome,” Jimmy Williams said. “Honestly, it's pretty easy. She's a hard worker, knows the game and she's gonna go out and give it her all every time out. She's got so much grit, so I just try to stay out of the way as much as I can and let her work and athleticism take care of itself.”

Earning second-team All-OCC was junior outfielder-second baseman Mackenzie Dorris (.347, 21 RBI).

Honorable mention honors went to junior pitcher-first baseman Sydney McAfoos (4-6, 3.81 ERA, 49.2 IP, 44 Ks, .277 batting average as hitter) and freshman catcher Avery Karazsia (.271).