Fourth-year head coach Haley Adams has been in the works of rebuilding Cardinal softball, and last year’s squad was the start of something special.
Fourth-year head coach Haley Adams has been in the works of rebuilding Cardinal softball, and last year’s squad was the start of something special.
The Huskies finished the regular season 4-14 before picking up a tournament win against Windham and going the distance against the number three-seeded McDonald Blue Devils at the time, but falling 2-0.
Now Cardinal returns six letterwinners from a season ago, including sophomore pitcher Maggie Grant. The sophomore recorded 145 strikeouts while walking 62. At the plate, Grant hit .365 with three home runs.
The Huskies also return two seniors to the starting line up: infielder Alaina Rupinski and outfielder Morgan Soltis. Soltis became a staple at the plate for her team with a .265 batting average, while Rupinski recorded a .836 fielding percentage at second base. The senior will make the transition from second to first this year.
Freshman Emily Pleva will make her freshman debut at second base, while fellow freshmen Natalie Soltis and Olivia Krebs will play shortstop and third base, respectively. Freshman Adelyn Grant, younger sister of Maggie, will take over the duties behind the plate.
The two freshmen at second base and shortstop have played together for many years. Both are quick to react to the softball and will show speed on the base paths. Krebs, who will serve as the team’s leadoff hitter, already shows consistency at the plate.
Sophomore Maggie Grant will return to the circle after posting a 3.65 ERA, having received CVC Honorable Mention a season ago. The fiery competitor took schools by surprise when she entered the circle. As for her younger sister, Adelyn has already shown what she can do behind the plate. With a strong arm and a quick swing, she is another freshman who is aggressive and isn’t afraid to show her emotions on the field.
Soltis will make her start in left field, while freshman Ivy Kaminski will take charge in center field. Freshman Laney Schamberg will round out the starting lineup over in right field. With Kaminski and Schamberg, the Huskies provide speed at the bottom of the lineup and also cover an immense amount of ground in the outfield.
Soltis has bounced for numerous positions throughout her Cardinal career, but made a strong campaign last season in center and left field, earning 2nd Team CVC.
Despite having a young roster, with six of their eight freshmen in the starting lineup, the Huskies are optimistic and eager to begin their season. A class that won back-to-back 14U championships during their recreational days transferred that talent to the basketball court this winter when they faced a number of challenges, but displayed great grit and determination to overcome them.
Senior Casey Koeth and junior Bri Lew will also provide depth in the outfield for the Huskies, while freshmen Aallyah Barbee, Nova Young and junior Adrianna Bosher all can play multiple positions on the field.
Unfortunately the Huskies will be without junior Rylie Leichtman as she recovers from a knee injury suffered during her wrestling season. Leichtman hit .389 a season ago. Isabella McMurray and Dakota Gillispie also suffered season-ending injuries for Adams and her crew.
But Cardinal will no doubt be competitive this season. There will be moments of growing pains, but Adams loves her team’s drive.
The Huskies also welcomed Martha Barcikowski, JV head coach, and Dave Krebs, varsity coach, to the program, who bring plenty of knowledge and passion for the game of softball.
Things got underway when Cardinal hosted the Southeast Pirates on March 25. As the team searches for its first conference win since 2018, they will get a stab at Kirtland on April 2 before traveling to defending conference champions, the Wickliffe Blue Devils, on April 4. Adams and Athletic Director Jimmy Soltis worked on a challenging non-conference schedule to prepare the Huskies for a tough conference schedule beginning in April.
