Utica softball nearing breakthrough despite difficult schedule
UTICA — Staci Meyers started a rebuild of the Utica softball program with a clean slate two seasons ago after the Covid-19 pandemic and the graduation of a decorated senior class.
The payoff of the hard work did not come in the form of a victory Wednesday, but that reward is getting closer by the day with the daunting Licking County League schedule ahead. A four-run seventh inning for visiting East Knox sent up-and-coming Utica to a 14-11 defeat.
"Our team is jelling, and that is where we are coming through," Meyers said. "We have three freshmen, and everyone else is returning, so that's always nice. ... We are excited. We are putting our nose down and getting ready for the next game."
Eight players combined to pile up 13 hits for Utica (1-1) against East Knox (2-0), which was without ace pitcher Maddy Cotsamire. Six spots in the batting order scored runs, and six drove in runs.
Freshman catcher Kaitlin Evans hit a home run in the second inning, and freshman third baseman Emily Meyers hit an inside-the-park home run in the third as Utica built up an 8-2 lead. Junior first baseman Lauren Schmitt matched Meyers with a team-best three hits.
"We all know the LCL is a buzzsaw, so anytime you can get all nine to get bat on the ball multiple innings, you walk away feeling good," Staci Meyers said. "You are doing something right."
Junior Karleigh Lees, who had a two-run single, was the beneficiary of the early offense in the circle. Despite Utica having only one senior — Ayrika Wolfe — Lees and junior shortstop Lexi Wiegand are three-year starters.
Meyers gave a boost to the top of the order also doubling twice, allowing Wiegand to move down into an RBI spot at No. 3. Schmitt's three hits came behind Lees in the cleanup spot, and Schmitt scored three times with the help of sophomore Cheyenne Smith's two doubles and three RBIs.
"Knowing the next person has you even on line outs that were great catches when you have to tip your hat to the defense, you can just go back at it the next batter," Staci Meyers said.
East Knox was a formidable foe despite the absence of Cotsamire. The Bulldogs, who return most of their core from last season's Division IV district champion and have moved back up to Division III, scored 12 runs during the final four innings.
Natalie Smith hit a tying home run in the top of the sixth. After Utica regained the lead on Schmitt's RBI single, Gracie Sheasby's two-run triple was the back-breaker during the Bulldogs' seventh-inning outburst.
"No matter where it is in the lineup top, bottom or middle we always need to be prepared for who's up and just being ready for anything," Lees said.
Maddie Smiley also homered for East Knox. Hannah McCoy added two hits and three RBIs and Addison Davis and Shanda Melick two hits, two runs scored and an RBI apiece.
Juniors Carlie Hill and Emma Lucas also had hits for Utica, which met Wednesday's challenge head on. It gets no easier with a trip to Licking Valley for an official non-league game Thursday before Friday's visit from Zanesville, but Heath and Johnstown highlight next week's schedule when LCL play begins in earnest.
"I have seen a lot of improvement just from working together and communicating more," Lees said. "If we just hang in as a team, we will just get it every time."
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Utica softball nearing breakthrough despite difficult schedule
