In other words, the Cougars are motivated by losing 2-1 in eight innings in a Division IV district final to a Bradford team that went on to reach the state semifinals, where it lost to eventual state champion Jeromesville Hillsdale.
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They also are brimming with the confidence of returning experienced talent led by senior Jenna Monk, named the Miami Valley Conference Scarlet Division Athlete of the Year last season after hitting .565 with 39 runs batted in and a division-high 13 home runs as Cincinnati Christian’s center fielder.
Monk, who has signed with the University of South Florida, is moving to shortstop to replace the graduated Kayla Stacy, a second-team all-division pick last season.
Monk also is the Cougars’ backup pitcher behind sophomore Briahna Bush, another first-team all-division pick after leading the Scarlet with 15 wins, finishing second with 216 strikeouts and third with a 0.61 earne -run average. The right-hander also hit .576.
Junior catcher Ashley Veldkamp, described by Rice as a “great communicator” with “great field awareness,” also was a 2018 second-team pick, as was senior third baseman Merrick Heid, a “great leader” and “consistent batter,” Rice said.
Two sophomores, second baseman-catcher Karli Head and first baseman Miranda Heid, return after earning all-division honorable mention last season.
One problem for Rice is finding a center fielder to replace Monk. One possibility is freshman Kirsten Clark. Rice also anticipates that freshman Elizabeth Bowling will contribute.
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» Cincinnati Christian Cougars
“They have made tremendous progress in preseason practice,” he said. “We expect them to be able to sub in and play right away.
“We have excellent pitching and a good core of strong, consistent hitters, many who have spent the offseason refining their skills,” he added. “We have a strong infield.”
Cincinnati Christian, which went 11-2 in the MVC to tie Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy for the 2018 Scarlet championship and swept the Eagles in the regular season by scores of 10-0 and 9-2, opened this season with an 11-1 loss to Wilmington on Saturday.
The Cougars will travel to Taylor on Monday.
“We have increased the number of games in our schedule, starting with scrimmages against Division II Bishop Fenwick and Division III Madeira,” Rice pointed out.
This is Rice’s second stint as the CCS head coach. He also held the position from 2001-06.
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