Staff writer
Marion High School softball coach Jennifer Felvus’s roster is something of a jigsaw puzzle. A few corner pieces are clearly in place, but the inside configurations still haven’t been figured out.
Felvus feels certain, though, that all the pieces are there. She just has to put them together.
“I’m struggling a bit in setting my field this year,” Felvus said. “I’m seeing a lot of good athletes, which makes my decisions harder.”
That’s not a bad problem to have, however.
The team will have five seniors: Sam Davies, Shayla Klein, Madison Stephen, Sheridyn Arterburn, and Julia Hall.
She said she expects Reann Hamm, Paige May, Kayla Kroupa, and Bailey Robson also to make major contributions in the field and at the plate.
Sophomore Shelby Felvus will be looked to as a leader on the mound for the Warriors. She was a complementary pitcher last year on a staff led by then-senior Megan Richmond, who graduated.
Jennifer Felvus said she has to figure out the rest of her pitching staff as preseason practices go on.
She prefers to have four pitchers, two duos that can pitch one of two games of a doubleheader.
“Having more pitchers enables me to not return to the same pitcher if struggling,” she said. “It’s like in life, some days just aren’t your best.”
She said while the pitching depth may not be as strong as last year, the Warriors will be a stronger offensive team, with a better hitting lineup.
“We’re also faster than we have been in the past,” Coach Felvus added.
The team has high hopes for the year, as it looks to improve on an 11-10 record from last season.
“Last year we lost 8-7 in the regional game, so by all means, we’re looking to proceed through the regionals,” Coach Felvus said. “Like every team out there, I want to arrive at state, but it’s one day at a time.
“I think I definitely have the personnel to get there.”