Softball team boasts talented returnees

By Julie Newell
Editor in Chief

The pandemic has had a big impact on sports these past couple years, but LCC Head Softball Coach Marc Kibby said he is optimistic about the upcoming season.

“After our shortened season (and lack of) practice time last year, getting back to our practicing through this winter and the fall season, I’m pretty excited about the team that we’ll have,” LCC Head Coach Marc Kibby said.

Last year the team ended the season with an overall record of 32-11, and a 24-8 mark in the MCCAA Western Conference.

The Stars have a roster of 17 women, including six returning players.

“We have returning Jaden Deibel, she was first-team All-League and NFCA All-American,” Kibby said. “We have Kara Mahoney; she was a first-team All-League. We have Alexa Jakus, she was a first-team All-League. And (also returning is) Samantha Vermeesch; she was our number one pitcher last year.”

Other returning players include: Shelby Warner and Jada Walton.

The newcomers include: Sara Owen, Isabella Scott, Morgan Ahlfeld, Peyton Lehman, Jillian Harris, Jessa Powers, Peyton Perrin, Paige Maltby, Raygen Williams, Lydia Davenport and Kyla Bird.

“It’s about getting back to where we were pre-pandemic,” Kibby said. “In other words, being able to practice and do everything and teach the way that we have done in the past. The last couple of years we have not had that, with one season being canceled and then one season only being able to play games.”

The Stars are scheduled to leave for spring training on March 3 and will compete in 12 games in Mississippi and Florida.

“Just getting back to the fundamentals … and our philosophies … I think that’s going to be the big difference for us this year,” Kibby said. 

The Stars are scheduled to start conference games on Thursday, March 17 against Oakland Community College at Ranney Park in Lansing.