Howard has five juniors who have played varsity since they were freshmen, five sophomores who picked up varsity experience last year, and of course, one senior in the form of All-Ohio shortstop Jenna O’Hair.
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O’Hair will continue her career at Northern Kentucky University after graduation, and Howard said she is the one player “I don’t have to worry about.”
“We have looked pretty good,” Howard said. “I am pretty happy, not going to lie. We are ready to get back to districts and beyond.”
A bevy of all-league performers field several spots for Madison. First-team All-Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division honoree Taylor Johnson will play first as well as pitch. A sophomore, Johnson had a 5-2 record in 2018.
Another first-team SWBL honoree, junior Regan Dorman, will play third base. Dorman hit .466 with five home runs and a league-leading 53 RBIs last year.
Mackinzie New, a junior, will play second.
Johnson and junior Sabrina Dolph will share the pitching duties, with Howard mentioning he’s not sure who will end up being the No. 1. Dolph went 15-6 with 61 strikeouts a year ago, and Howard said he is blessed to have two strong pitchers.
“I can toss out either one and we will be fine,” he said.
The Mohawks are also strong in the outfield with second-team all league player Ally King in center field. King hit .474 with 38 RBIs last season and will be between junior Lilly Dennis and a platoon situation in right.
Madison, which went 20-8 last year, finishing second to Milton-Union in the SWBL Buckeye, and Howard said it will be a dogfight again this season. He mentioned Milton, Carlisle and Preble Shawnee as strong programs.
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Entering his second year as head coach, Howard said his team may be young, but is set for a good run.
“That’s the goal,” Howard said. “We have been young. We won’t be young next year. If we fight hard every game and fight hard every practice, we will be fine.”
Howard said he asks his team to just get better each day.
“I am happy 90 percent of the time,” Howard said. “That percentage might drop if you ask the girls. This is a fun group and they work hard, but there are days when I wonder if we will win a game.”
Madison will be hurt by the loss of junior Kenzi Saunders, a second-team SWBL selection who tore her ACL in basketball and will miss the season.
The Mohawks are 0-2 after the opening weekend, dropping a doubleheader to Arcanum 14-3 and 6-5 on Saturday. Madison hosts Shawnee on Monday.
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