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The Western Ohio Athletic Conference had a number of teams experience success not only during the regular season but well into post season as well.

Baseball

Starting in baseball the league championship wouldn’t be determined until the very last league game of the season between host Dixie Greyhounds and Newton Indians with the winner claiming the league title.

Dixie surprised everyone going 9-1 winning their first ever league title since 1967 that would earn Dixie’s Austin Schaar, WOAC “Coach of the Year”.

Dixie fell in the 2^nd round of the sectional tournament 4-3 to Anna ending their season short of district … but also marked an historic moment for the Greyhounds in baseball.

Newton tied for second in the WOAC at 8-2 and was 23-7 overall, they advanced to the district championship game before bowing out to Bradford. 

Newton Baseball finished district runner-up and 2nd in the WOAC and will return a lot talent in 2025.  

Coach Kopp was pleased with his team and in some ways felt like they exceeded expectations given their youth.  They will return one of the league’s top pitchers in sophomore Austin Tippie along with freshman Cole Alexander representing a lot of young talent they will return next season.

Arcanum was in the mix for a title as well finishing in 2nd at 8-2 and was the only league team to beat Dixie. 

The Trojans advanced for the second straight year to the district championship game but bowed out to Cincinnati Christian. 

Arcanum appeared in their 2nd straight District Final game but fell short in their title quest.

Coach Randy Baker echoed his excitement on how his team fared this season considering their youth and has high expectations for the program over the next few years. 

Arcanum sophomore Reagan Christ recorded a perfect game during the season and is another young talented player to keep an eye on.

Bradford finished 4^th in the league this year but advanced the furthest in the tournament. 

They captured back-to-back district championships with a win over Newton for the second time this year. 

Bradford had the most experienced team with lots of senior talent led by Tucker Miller the WOAC Player of the Year for the 2^nd year in a row, 1^st Team All Southwest District and 2^nd Team All-State.

Bradford won back-to-back District Championships knocking out fellow WOAC foe Newton to claim the title.  

The Railroaders came up short in their quest to reach the state finals falling in the regional semi-final to Troy Christian.

Tri-County North is another young team to keep an eye on, they won a sectional title before falling in the district semis to Newton. 

Ansonia and National Trail also experienced success this year.  National Trail’s senior Jamison Watts would also throw a no-hitter.

Baseball in the WOAC looks to be promising again in 2025 with the number of young talented rosters returning.

Softball

It was an exciting year in softball and maybe the biggest story was that of Tri-Village who hasn’t had a lot of success in recent history.

The first surprise by the Patriots came early in the year going to Arcanum and coming away with a 5-2 win sending notice they were going to be competitive in 2024.Tri-Village had a few big games along the way with Tri-County North and Ansonia but was able to get the wins to go undefeated in the WOAC at 11-0 to win their first league title since 2007 and Patriots coach Emily Osborne was named the WOAC “Coach of the Year”

The Patriots then marched through post season with big wins over Tri-County North again, then won a district championship over a 22-1 Southeastern.  They then defeated Ft. Loramie in the regional semi-finals before bowing out in an exciting game with Minster in the regional final 5-3.

Tri-Village Softball team was knocking at the door in reaching the state final four.

They ended the season at 23-2 overall and will return six freshman, six sophomores and one junior.  The Patriots say good-bye to Senior Kiersten Wilcox who was 1st Team All-Southwest District and 2nd Team All-State.  

They have some exciting young talent returning including sophomore pitcher Elizabeth Poling, sophomore shortstop Camryn Osborn and freshman 3^rd base Emma Greer 1^st Team All-Southwest District and 2^nd Team All-State coming back to lead the way.

Arcanum a perennial power in softball finished runner-up in the league at 10-1 and 19-8 overall. 

Coach Mike Morris is willing to take on anyone to strengthen his non-league schedule and appeared poised to make a good post season run.  The Trojans however were surprised by Northeastern in the post season going home early. 

However, they return junior Mackenzie Byrne who was the WOAC “Player of the Year”, 1st Team DIII All-Southwest District and 1st Team All State.  She along with other returning talent will be ready to challenge again for a title in 2025.

Ansonia was coming off a successful season in 2023 falling in the District Championship game that also saw long-time coach Floyd Jenkinson of 20 years retire.

Dave Fisherback stepped in as the new coach and had senior talent, including pitcher Abby Kramer 1^st Team All-Southwest District & 2^nd Team All State and Maddie Buckingham 1^st Team All-Southwest District. 

The Tigers roared in post season beating Trail, Jackson Center and Russia before running into some hot pitching in the District Championship game with Fayetteville Perry.

The Lady Tigers had a memorable run in softball finishing District Runner-up.

Ansonia finished in 3^rd place in the WOAC at 9-2 and 21-7 overall in what will be a very memorable run for the Tigers.

Tri-County North finished in 4^th place and may have surprised a few teams but not coach Shelly Lykins. 

The Panthers finished 8-3 in the WOAC giving the top teams in the league all they could handle.  They came up short to Ansonia 3-2, Arcanum 4-1 and Tri-Village 3-0 in games that could have gone the other way with some timely hitting. 

The Panthers won a sectional title before bowing out in the district semi-finals and were led by pitcher Kasidi Daugherty and catcher Kora Lykins who both return next season along with other young talent.

Dixie went 6-5 in the league and returns a lot of younger players, but they also graduate a talented pitcher in Emilie Wylie who led the league in strikeouts and was 1^st Team All-Southwest District.

It was an exciting and successful campaign in softball with teams experiencing success far into the post season.   

The future is looking good for both baseball and softball in the WOAC.

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It was a magical season for TV's softball team but fell short of reaching the state final four. (Dale Barger photo)

By Dale Barger

CLAYTON – The Tri-Village  softball team came up short in their quest to reach the state finals falling 5-3 to the heavy favorite 29-1 Minster Wildcats who were ranked 2^nd in the final Ohio DIV state ranking.  It would be just the 2^nd loss of the year for the Patriots who finished 24-2.

After striking first in their last two playoff games Tri-Village would have to play from behind as the Wildcats scored runs in the 2^nd and 3^rd inning including a solo home run by Addison Innskeep that was nearly erased by right fielder Mylee Bierly who had to contend running into the fence and reaching up with the ball just going by her glove.

Mylee Bierly had to contend with the fence and nearly made a spectacular catch to take away a homerun.

Tri-Village answered at the top of the 3^rd  on a towering drive by Camryn Osborne to right center and there would be no glove touching it as it banged off the top half of the scoreboard to get the Patriots on the board so to speak trailing 2-1.

In the bottom of the 5^th inning Aereonna Baker singled to center and Macy Howell was called on to sacrifice and laid down a good bunt moving Baker to 2^nd.  The Cats threw Howell out at first while Baker rounded second base a bit too aggressive and found herself in a hotbox between 2^nd and 3^rd.  

Aereonna Baker got herself into a pickle and somehow survived and breathes a sigh of relief resting on 3rd base. (Dale Barger photo)

Miraculously, after going back and forth a few times Baker made the decision to dive into 3^rd and a slight bobble by Minster allowed her to get her hand on the base as she lay flat on the grand knowing she survived “The Great Pickle”. 

Tai Mize would then bring Baker home on a hard-hit ball up the middle.  Emma Greer then drew a walk giving TV runners at 1^st and 2^nd.

Camryn Osborne brought Mize home on a line drive double to center giving the PATS a 3-2 lead and runners on 2^nd and 3^rd with two outs … but Minster escaped without allowing another run.

Tai Mize had 2 hits an RBI and Run scored and stole 2nd base here to try and put TV in scoring position in the final inning. (Dale Barger photo)

It didn’t take long for the Wildcats to answer hitting two rockets down the 3^rd base line and a double to go up 4-3 with no outs prompting a pitching change for Elizabeth Poling who again threw a good game bringing on Emma Greer in relief.

Greer struck out the first hitter, followed by a single from Emily Bergman. 

Bergman got a little aggressive on her secondary lead off the base and Tri-Village catcher Hailey Burk picked her off for the 2^nd out.  Greer then got her 2^nd strikeout to end the inning down 4-3.

The Patriots tried to get something going in the 6^th inning but left Aereonna Baker on who was hit by a pitch in the inning.

Minster added an insurance run at the top of the 7^th inning and the Patriots came to bat needing something big to happen to erase the 5-3 deficit.

Tai Mize led off with a walk with the heart of the Patriots line-up coming to the plate. 

But starting pitcher Brooklyn Osterloh was able to get a long fly ball to center for an out and back-to-back strikeouts going the distance in the game getting the “W” and sending Minster to the State Final Four.

Before the season started Tri-Village wasn’t on anyone’s radar surprising many which makes it a magical season and given the youth on this team it has elevated Patriots softball to another level.

Leading the way for Tri-Village were two seniors Macy Howell and Kiersten Wilcox that drew praise from coach Emily Osborne.

Sr. Macy Howell has been solid all year levels the bat on the ball. (Dale Barger Photo)

“Macy played left field for us, she's quick, fast and improved so much over the last four years.  She didn’t play a lot in the summer but worked hard when she was with us and had great work ethic in season and was very devoted to the team and we just appreciate her so much,” Osborne stated.

“Kiersten played 1^st base, has great character and our leader by example.  The way she carries herself; the calmness, the encouragement to her teammates those are all great things. As a leader, she gives the best pep talks, the team wanted her to give some more today, that was one of our goals, actually. She just has that true heart behind it and loves the game of softball and plays so strong,”  Osborne relayed.

Sr. Kiersten Wilcox moved to 1st base this year and played it like she has been doing it her whole life. (Dale Barger photo)

It was an emotional time for this writer who lives out in the country with Wilcox diagonally across the road from me.  I have watched Kdub from my porch over the last 14 years playing ball at all hours of the day and night … through the week, on weekends and can attest to the amount of time she has spent playing the game she loves. 

“I told myself at the beginning of the year if we could just get to the district, then every game beyond that would just be a bonus game,” Kiersten said after the game.

But being a competitor, you always want more as Kdub fought back tears and summarized the whole experience with one statement.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for this team and this whole experience,” she sobbed.

Kiersten who graduated as a Valedictorian last week capped off her softball career in the elite 8 and was recognized as 1^st team All-WOAC, 1^st team All-Southwest District and 2^nd team All-State.

Though the Patriots will lose two seniors, they will return one junior, 6 sophomore and 6 freshmen all having received valuable experience something assistant coach Shane Mead and head coach Emily Osborne talked about.

“We're young, but we’re going be right back here again next year, Mead said.

Mead acknowledged and thanked the seniors for their leadership but also expressed to returning players to remember this feeling.

“You guys were so good this year and only had to experience this feeling twice, so it's up to you guys … but we want to be right back on this field again next year,” Mead added.

Coach Osborne believes this experience will help the team grow and certain experiences will help foster that growth that included her daughter sophomore shortstop Camryn Osborne.

Osborne was on top of the world after hitting an absolute bomb for a homerun and then followed up with a rbi double to gain the lead in the game.  She also had 9 puts out at shortstop and was having a magnificent game. 

With two outs in the bottom of the 7^th inning she came to plate representing the tying run with Tai Mize at 2^nd with the drama and tension in the stadium at an all-time high.

The support by the Tri-Village fans and community was tremendous and appreciated by the coaches and team. (Dale Barger photo)

The Patriot faithful were on their feet just on the other side of the outfield fence displaying a sea of cardboard heads of their favorite players  and coaches peering back as they held their breath looking for one more mighty swing, but it wouldn’t be a fairy tale ending as the game ended on a strikeout.

“It's a great feeling when you can put your team on the board but then be humbled on a strikeout and not feel so good,” Osborne said.  “Every time you're up at the plate, they're trying to strike you out, and you're trying to hit the ball well and she did both today.

Camryn Osborn drives a deep shot off the scoreboard and represents some of the young talent returning next year. (Dale Barger photo)

I believe the handshakes and encouragement of her teammates she will go back to putting in the work this summer ready to come back and lead this team,” Osborne commented.

Osborne was 2^nd team All-WOAC this year and had some big stats this year.  She was one hit away from breaking the individual record for hits in a season.  Osborne collected 44 hits, 4 homeruns, 10 doubles and batted .500 this year.

“Sometimes you have to go through some tough losses so that you work harder to get those big wins. I think for Camryn and this team, this is one of those losses to motivate them,” Osborne said

Osborne represents a number of younger talented players coming back including freshman Emma Greer who was 1^st team All-WOAC, 1^st team All-Southwest District and 2^nd team All-State. 


Emma Greer was fighting through some pain to her finger and wrist that was wrapped to play in the game vs Minster. (Dale Barger photo)

“She came in with a little bit of an injury battling a different battle today. But she was able to work well at third base and on the mound despite a finger, wrist injury, she was still working in there.  We're proud of her and looking forward to the future that she has ahead of us.

Greer was two hits short of the record for hits in a season.  She ended the season with 43 hits, 20 doubles, 3 triples and 2 homeruns and batted .495 this year.

They both represent and will lead a group of talented players returning that includes Hailey Burk, Tai Mize, Mylee Bierly, Aereonna Baker, Adalyn Wright, Kaley Brandon, Kenna Wilcox, Mckenzie Besecker, Emma Cantrell, Reagyn Hager and pitching ace Elizabeth Poling.

Coach Osborne and Mead gave each of the players clear cylinder tubes and instructed them to reflect on their experience and to go out and collect some dirt from the field.

Taking a piece of the game and the field with them for next year. (Dale Barger photo)

Mead’s message, “We’re coming back here next year and throwing that dirt back on the field and taking it to state,”

For the younger Patriots they’ll have that chance but for Macy Howell and Kiersten Wilcox they’ll have the tube to remember the moment as they come to grips that it’s all over.


Senior Kiersten Wilcox is comforted by her dad Kirby Wilcox as she realizes her career has ended.  (Dale Barger photo)

Each of the girls embraced the moment some filling the tube and moving on. Hailey Burk squatting in her catcher position was more reflective and tears streaming and was consoled by teammate Emma Cantrell who exhibited senior leadership qualities and will be the only senior on the team next season.

Jr Emma Cantrell will return next season as the only senior displays senior leadership qualities by consoling her teammate Hailey Burk after the game. (Dale Barger photo)

Emma Greer and Aereonna Baker chose to gather from third base both seeing action in the game at that spot.

Coaches also took time to gather as well … sometimes you see the kids’ emotions and forget about the coaches and the time they put into it and how it hits them as well.

“It's going to be something that we stick up on our shelf and make sure that we're working to reach our goals for next year. It's kind of sentimental, kind of emotional, but we need that,” Osborne said.

The Patriots finish their season at 24-2 overall was Regional Runner-up, District Champs, Sectional Champs and undefeated WOAC League Champs at 11-0.

It was a season all about setting goals and breaking records … it’s time to set some new goals and new records.


Tri-Village Athletic Director Brad Gray presents the OHSAA DIV Regional Runner-up Trophy to seniors Macy Howell and Kiersten Wilcox. It would be the first time since 1981 the girls have reached a Regional Final. (Dale Barger Photo)

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Lady Patriots Softball team is all smiles after defeating Ft. Loramie in Regional Semi-Finals 5-0. (Dale Barger photo)

CLAYTON – The Tri-Village girls softball team defeated Ft. Loramie 5-0 in the OHSAA DIV Regional Semi-Final game to advance to the Regional Finals.  They won by doing three things; strike first, win every inning and to not strike out more than twice in the game.

“We set some goals going into this game and part of it was to strike first, have less than two strikeouts and win every inning,” Tri-Village coach Emily Osborne stated.

The Patriots did strike first scoring one run in the 1^st and two in the 2^nd inning for a 3-0 lead. 

Tai Mize got it going with a double and advanced to 3^rd base on a ground out by Emma Greer.  Then senior leader Kiersten Wilcox grounded out but was able to get Mize home for the 1^st run of the game.

Kiersten Wilcox drove in the first run of the game on a hard ground-out to help the Patriots strike 1st in the game. (Dale Barger photo)

In the 2^nd inning Katie Brandon reached on an error followed by Aereonna Baker getting on after getting plunked by the pitcher.  Macy Howell then sacrificed to move both runners up to 2^nd and 3^rd base with one out.

Tai Mize got her second hit driving both Brandon and Baker home for two RBI’s and the Patriots led 3-0.

Tai Mize had two hits including this two run hit to put the Patriots up 3-0 on the Redskins. (Dale Barger photo)

Emma Greer doubled but the Redskins were able to get out of the inning with no more damage.

Elizabeth Poling was in a groove pitching and limited Loramie holding them to just three hits in the game and enjoyed solid defense behind her to keep the Redskins in check.

Poling tossed 6 innings had one walk and four strikeouts. 

Elizabeth Poling plays pitch and catch with Hailey Burk as this pitch found the strike zone.  (Poling picked up her 24th win of the season. (Dale Barger photo)

The game remained 3-0 until the top of the 7^th inning and the Patriots were looking to add a few insurance runs after Bierly got on with a single and then Hailey Burk reached base after getting hit with the ball.

Katie Brandon on a fielder’s choice was the 2^nd out of the inning, but Bierly advanced to 3^rd and Burk to 2^nd.

Aereonna Baker settled into the box and immediately ripped a line drive double giving Tri-Village the insurance runs they wanted to go up 5-0.

Aereonna Baker rips a double to give PATS insurance runs in 7th inning. (Dale Barger photo)

Loramie would have one last opportunity in the bottom of the 7^th inning and immediately got a double and a single to start and runners on 1^st and 3^rd with no outs and those insurance runs were looking pretty good about now.

Coach Osborne would then bring in Emma Greer to relieve Elizabeth Poling who had another solid performance.

And the formula that has worked over the last three games would again prove good as Greer diffused the threat and slammed the door on the Redskins to preserve their 5-0 lead and victory.

So how did the Patriots do on their goals for the game?

Well, they struck 1^st, had just one strikeout and won every inning.

“Kudos to our girls for achieving their goals. We said we were going to have not more than two strikeouts, we had one and surprisingly it was Kiersten Wilcox, it was just her second all season,” Osborne said.

“We really were trying to hold ourselves accountable at the plate by getting on base so we could be in scoring position, and we did that getting a couple of runs early,” Osborne added.

The Patriots racked up 11 hits led by Camryn Osborne going 3-for-4, Aereonna Baker & Tai Mize drove in 2 runs each. Mize and Bierly both had 2 hits in the game as well.

What's a softball game without chewing gum and blowing bubbles?  Senior Macy Howell shows how it's done. (Dale Barger photo)

The win advances the Patriots to the Regional Finals where they will play Minster who defeated Fayetteville Perry 5-2.  The Wildcats were the #2 ranked team in the state in the final DIV softball poll. The game will be played again at Northmont High School at 5pm on Friday

Coach Emily Osborne and Shane Mead review results after the game. Osborne was recently named the WOAC coach of the year.  The duo have helped lead the Patriots to their 24th win of the season. (Dale Barger photo)
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One last time around the field through a tunnel of players and head sliding into home for senior Ty Schauer playing in his last game at Newton. (Dale Barger photo)

Game Photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.471205895258936&type=3

PLEASANT HILL – The Newton Indians came from behind to defeat Tri-County North 10-4 in the OHSAA DIV District Semi-Final game.

Newton will advance to the District Title game on Wednesday where they will play Bradford a 10-5 winner over Cedarville. 

Tri-County North season ends with a 11-11 record … but more importantly they showed signs of growth and improvement with a young team and won a sectional title before falling in the district semi-finals. 

Panthers head coach Garrett Gray reflected on his team’s season ending loss to Newton and emphasized the importance of having gotten this far and to learn from the experience.

“We knew coming into this game it was going to be a battle.  Newton has been a great team for years and it was going to be a dogfight.   We proved our toughness when we came back against Ansonia to get a 6-5 win to get here.   We had a great game, battled to get back and kept battling.  So, from the get-go we need to have a little bit of that doggedness ready to battle,” Gray commented.

“I was telling the guys, sometimes you can play your best baseball game and still come up just a little bit short, and things don't fall in your place. I think that's what happened here tonight, but we are going to learn from this and get better,” Gray explained.

Tri-County North sophomore starting pitcher Koby Reynolds looked solid and in control for the first three innings of the game and enjoyed a 2-0 lead had heading into the bottom of the 4^th inning.

Tri-County North's Koby Reynolds look good on the mound for the first three innings.  Just a sophomore with a lot of upside for the Panthers. (Dale Barger photo)

North scored a run in the 3^rd inning on a bases loaded walk by Austin Tippie to freshman Ryan Shively.  But Tippie pitched his way out of a base loaded jam with a strikeout to end the inning.

The Panthers added another run in the top of the 4^th inning.  Freshman Peyton Fannin drew a walk and a sacrifice bunt by senior Parker Overcash advanced him to second base with two outs. 

Jr. Braylen Keener came up big with a solid line drive into centerfield gap for a double to bring Fannin home ... but the Indians got a groundout to end the inning trailing 2-0.

North's Braylen Keener make solid contact for a double to give Panthers a 2-0 lead. (Dale Barger photo)

The bottom of the 4^th inning Ty Schauer reached 2^nd base on error and the wheels started to fall off the cart for Reynolds, who no longer was able to find the strike zone after pounding it for three straight innings. 

A wild pitch moved Schauer to third and three straight walks followed to allow Schauer to score.  Another wild pitch brought a sliding Brady Wackler home tying the game at two.

Newton Jr. Brady Wackler goes head first to score for the Indians.  He was 1-for-2, hit by a pitch, drew a walk and scored two runs in the game.

Then a big double from freshman Cole Alexander scored two more prompting a pitching change bringing in freshman pitcher Zach Jean. 

Jean was able to get out of the inning doing work … but not before a sacrifice bunt to 3^rd base squeezed Brady Downing for a 5-2 Indians lead.

The Panthers brought some of the doggedness coach Gray wanted his players to show coaxing two walks and then a single to center field by Shively loaded the bases.

Freshman Gabe Heltsley drew a walk for an RBI bringing in Colten Van Winkle which facilitated a pitching change for Newton bringing in Ty Schauer for Tippie.

Tippie threw four innings giving up just 3 hits, 4 runs and 9 walks … but he also recorded 9 strikeouts to overcome his control problems.

Peyton Fannin touched up Schauer for a single to bring home Garner Parlett to get within a run 5-4 before Schauer got out of the inning.

Jean threw a solid 5^th inning taking care of the Indians and Schauer returned the favor retiring the Panthers in order at the top of the 6^th inning.

In the bottom half of the 6^th, Jean had control issues beaning two hitters, sandwiched in between a triple from Brady Downing.  It was now going Newton’s way and not so much for North trailing 10-4 with one last chance at the plate.

Newton's Carson Resides was 2-for-3 with two rbi's, a walk and a run scored.
(Dale Barger photo)

It was the bottom of the order Ridge Gray, Carson Resides and Brady Wackler producing for the Indians in the game as they combined for four of the team's eight hits, scored five runs and drove in three runs.

The Indians brought in Cole Alexander in relief of Schauer and he closed out the game and pleasing coach Kopp with the way his team rallied back to get the win.

“You never take a win in the sectional for granted, we didn't take Tri-County North for granted, you know, they're a good team, they swing the bats, and for the most part, they play really good defense. I’ve known Garrett Gray, their head coach for a long time, and he's a really good coach, and those guys were prepared.  Defensively early on they were in the right spots, they knew some of our guys don't pull the ball and were set up over there and got some really key outs by doing that,” Kopp stated.

Despite giving up 9 walks starting pitcher Austin Tippie got the win and drew praise for his competitiveness.

“Austin might be getting a little fatigue late in the year, it was 80 some degrees out today but man did he compete.  He had bases loaded twice and got a strike out each time, that was huge, Kopp praised.

Our defense played great, it can be tough when you got a strikeout pitcher or a guy walking guys, he (Tippie) was a little bit of both tonight,” Kopp added.

It would be the last game for Newton on their own field and they sent their senior out in fashion forming a tunnel around the bases to let them run through.

“This was the last game for Ty Schauer and Brady downing playing on our field, two real special kids and great leaders for us. Very talented kids. But you know, more than baseball just really good humans, kids you love being around, they're just fun to be around. It's always hard … but with the win tonight, hopefully, thet get a couple more games, Kopp concluded.

Tri-County North senior Parker Overcash lays down a solid sacrifice bunt modeling the way things should be done for coach Garrett Gray and the Panthers baseball program. (Dale Barger photo)

While Newton seniors will still be playing, Tri-County North seniors Parker Overcash and Colten Vanwinkle will be hanging up their spikes.

“The seniors we have Parker Overcash and Colten Vanwinkle have just been amazing and these guys have meant so much to this program, team and Tri County North in general.
They've shown how to go about it the right way and how to get better every single day and I told them I can't thank them enough for everything they've done for our program,” Gray praised.

Gray is excited for the future of Tri-County North baseball, having guys like Overcash and Vanwinkle to model helps.

Tri-County North baseball coach Garrett Gray talks to his team about learning from their experience and using it to get better setting an expectation to be competitive every year. (Dale Barger photo)

“We came into this sectional that had four of the top ten teams in the state, Newton being one of them. They're great. They're good coaches a good staff, I mean, great people, they know exactly what they're doing. They know how to go about baseball the right way and, you know.  We were competitive, we showed we can compete and that’s the expectation now every year,” Gray concluded.

Newton now 22-6 will play Bradford at Houston High School at 5pm on Wednesday May 22^nd to make it a WOAC District Championship final.

Newton senior Brady Downing puts down a sacrifice bunt scoring Cole Alexander from 3rd base. (Dale Barger photo)

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The Tri-Village Girls finished at the top of the league in softball going 11-0 in 2024.  
NEW MADISON  – The WOAC announces the Softball All-Tournament Team selections.  

FIRST TEAM ALL-WOAC
Maddie Buckingham  Ansonia
Abigail Kramer  Ansonia
Mackenzie Byrne  Arcanum
Emilie Fout   Arcanum
Chloe Hocker   Bradford
Emma Wylie   Dixie
Jocelyn Gray   Franklin Monroe
Kenzea Townsend  Mississinawa Valley
Hannah Williams  Newton 
Bethany Deaton  Preble Shawnee
Delaney Klapper  Preble Shawnee
Kasidi Daugherty  Tri-County North
Emma Greer   Tri-Village
Elizbeth Poling  Tri-Village
Kiersten Wilcox  Tri-Village

SECOND TEAM ALL-WOAC
Kelsey Muhlenkamp  Ansonia
Ava Thatcher   Ansonia
Ashlyn Miller   Arcanum
Jordyn Garbig   Arcanum
Alani Canan   Bradford
Kendra Winkler  Dixie
Olivia Sease   Franklin Monroe
Makenna Guillozet  Mississinawa Valley
Carley Hamm   National Trail
Layla VanCulin  Newton
Kora Lykins   Tri-County North
Gracie Hemp   Tri-County North
Camryn Osborne  Tri-Village
Hailey Burk   Tri-Village
Ryliee Caldwell  Twin Valley South

SPECIAL MENTION ALL-WOAC
Bailey Schmit   Ansonia
Hannah Kendig  Arcanum
Teagan Canan  Bradford
Bethany Himan  Dixie
Keihl Johnson   Franklin Monroe
Stephany De La Torre Mississinawa Valley
Miya Ditmer   National Trail
Cori Haines   Newton
Addison Sargent-Eckert Preble Shawnee
Jordan Pinion   Tri-County North
Mylee Bierly   Tri-Village
Sidnee Elswick  Twin Valley South

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mackenzie Byrne  Arcanum

Arcanum jr., Mackenzie Byrne was named the WOAC Softball “Player of the Year” in 2024.  Kenzie led the league with 11 home runs, 51 RBI’s and in batting average at .550.  She also had 44 hits, 49 runs scored along with a .657 on base percentage.

COACH OF THE YEAR
Emily Osborne  Tri-Village

Tri-Village Emily Osborne was named the WOAC Softball “Coach of the Year” for 2024.
Osborne’s team won the league title going undefeated at 11-0.  It was their first league title since 2008.  The Patriots now 23-1 also won the DIV District Championship for the first time since 1992.  

FINAL WOAC SOFTBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS
Tri-Village  11-0
Arcanum  10-1
Ansonia  9-2
Tri-County North 8-3
Dixie   6-5
Franklin Monroe 5-6
Newton  4-7
Mississinawa Valley 4-7
Bradford  4-7
Preble Shawnee 3-8
Twin Valley South 2-9
National Trail  0-11