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How is everyone going to be, and any good fresh moving up?

Vaslley with Dillow in the circle leads the way. Koch swings the big stick. two D-1 recruits. They have big holes to fill at several spots but they have the pitching. It all starts there.

Valley will take it all. In softball all you need is a dominate pitcher and a little offense. Dillow will give up 2 0r fewer runs a game and Kayla Koch will provide enough runs to win most games, unless teams start pitching around her

valley by a lot. they are just too much for anyone else

Portsmouth West

Minford will be in the mix as well.

Are the Griffith girls back at Minford or did Autunm graduate?

Kaci Griffith - Catcher is a senior this year and Autumn - Pitcher/ShortStop is a junior, but I heard they transferred mid-school year to Clay. For the life of me, why would you do that. Both played soccer for Minford in the fall. However, if true, Minford still has potential to play very well with others, even with the loss of two great student-athletes. Kelsey Conkey will be starting pitcher and maybe an underclassmen backup. Not too sure about the skill level of the 8th grade softball players that have come up, but will soon see. Season is right around the corner with Feburary 20th marking the first practice day.

I hate to hear the Griffith's have changed schools, if that is true. Both are solid players. There will probably only be a few freshman players come out, there were only a couple that played in junior high, one might get some play time and has always been a better than average player coming up, able to play most positions and the outfield.

The only way Valley will be able to compete is if there underclassmen can fill the holes left from last years senior class and make the routine plays on defense. Yes Dillow will be a beast when she's on and Koch might manufacture runs, but they won't win if they can't stop the other team from scoring as well. Without much playing time for the underclassman who knows when they will be able to settle their nerves and make plays. They have to fill almost all the infield and 2 outfield positions... Should be interesting. Two teams that I think can compete, and compete well, are Wheelersburg and Minford (with Waverly possibly being a sleeper team).

Dillow " when she's on " and Koch " might " manufacture runs ..... fail. MD

ManitouDan wrote:Dillow " when she's on " and Koch " might " manufacture runs ..... fail. MD

Fail? You try pitching 6 games a week... She's gonna have an off game. Not to mention they might throw Koch on the mound to give her arm a break. And yes, Koch will manufacture runs, but unless they are able to get other runners in scoring position that's just 1 run. And that's if they don't pitch around her. Teams around here aren't stupid. Valley lost alot of bats. That's where the underclassmen will have to step up.

I think they'll be fine. There are many good coaches at Valley. They are always able to reload their team.

with abby welch pitching for west and the other girls they got coming back they will be a force to deal with and will make strong run for soc

abby hasn't pitched for 3-4 years (correct ?) , will be somewhat difficult to just hop back in and be good at it. Being a good pitcher in fastpitch takes tons of time and dedication. MD

not for sure how long she been out but i know she was one of the best in the area when she did pitch and also very good shortstop

she was a wonderful player and far above average competitor. great kid from a solid family.

Hey swank Valley has wonderful softball players through hard work! Coaching Stevie Wonder has been driving that bus for a couple years!

Wheelersburg should be a favorite. Loran Spradlin, Katie Hale and Cheyanne French are expected to be great players with great leadership. Mallory Newsome has been starting pitcher since her freshman year and dominated in the off-season activities. Abbi Sparks will also be on the mound and is a great athlete as well. Rachel Blair, Hailee Barbarits, Madyson Barrett and Brianna Seek gained a lot of experience last year. The current freshman class has won the state title in LL softball and will fill in the holes to make an outstanding team. The future is now and the lady pirates are back in the mix.......

Loved watching Barbarits play the field.