Softball poised to make deep run in the OAC

After competing in a conference-only 2021 schedule, the Muskingum softball team is poised to make a deep run in the OAC this upcoming season. The Muskies begin their season on Sunday, March 6, against Bridgewater State, where they will compete at the Spring games in Clermont, Florida. The game is slated for a 10:15 a.m. start.

After graduating seven starters from last year's OAC Tournament Championship appearing team, Muskingum looks to combine the experience and talent of a strong core group of returners with a solid incoming first-year class to produce a championship-caliber season.

OAC Preseason Poll: The Muskies were picked to finish first in the OAC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll. The Muskies received a total of 78 points including two first-place votes.

The Coach: The Muskies are led by two-time OAC Coach of the Year Kari Winters, who is entering her 12th season with the program. In 2021, Winters led her squad to the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Championship game. Furthermore, in 2019 she led the team to an OAC regular-season title with a 31-11 overall record and a 15-3 mark in the OAC. Numerous Muskingum student-athletes have been recognized on the field and in the classroom with all-conference and all-regional accolades during her tenure.

The Captains: Muskingum will be led by senior pitcher Hannah Smith, senior infielder Katie Osburn, and senior infielder Haley Hawk. Smith made 24 appearances on the mound and threw a total of 115.2 innings last season. She secured 12 wins, notched a career-high 65 strikeouts, and registered a career-low 2.18 ERA. Her efforts earned her two OAC Pitcher of the Week honors and a Second Team All-OAC selection. Osburn appeared in 43 games, earning career-highs in hits (47), doubles (14), runs scored (15), and RBIs (26) with a .329 batting average, which earned her All-OAC Honorable Mention honors. Hawk appeared in 36 games for the Muskies last season and registered a .396 batting average. A Second Team All-OAC selection, she recorded 40 hits, a team-best 27 RBIs, 14 runs scored, and two home runs in her junior campaign.

The Players: Players to watch out for in the 2022 spring season are junior infielder Claire Warschauer, junior infielder Carlee Lamacz, senior infielder Cristianna Boggs, and sophomore pitcher Madelyn Thomas.

In 2021, Warschauer played 34 games for the Muskies at shortstop, registering a .867 fielding percentage and career-best 46 putouts. Lamacz earned career-highs in hits (16), doubles (4), home runs (3), runs scored (14), and RBIs (13). Boggs recorded 16 hits, two doubles, one triple, and ended her junior campaign with a .333 batting average. Thomas made 11 appearances on the mound for the Muskies and threw 26.2 innings. She finished her freshman campaign with 21 strikeouts and a 2.36 ERA.

The Schedule: Muskingum's schedule features a 40-game slate, followed by the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament. The Muskies will play 10 games in Clermont, Florida, as part of the Spring Games, on March 6-11. The following weekend, the Muskies travel to Lexington, Kentucky, to compete in the Pioneer Classic on March 19-20. The first OAC matchup is set for Saturday, March 26, at John Carroll. 

Broadcasts: All home games will be played at Donna J. Newberry Field and will feature an HD video stream accessible through the OAC TV app on fightingmuskies.com.