Derrick Webb

Derrick is SOSA's chief content coordinator and has worked for the Chillicothe Gazette, the Portsmouth Daily Times and Eleven Warriors. He's a 15-time award-winning journalist, a self-proclaimed baseball purist, a suffering Bengals fan and has never met a stranger.

SOFTBALL: 15 players to watch for this spring

March 22, 2025
, 11:14 am
, Features

These 15 players are poised for big years on the diamond.

Derrick Webb, Managing Editor

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

Believe it or not, the end of another school year is near, and that means softball season is back in full swing — pun intended.

After a long winter, the girls of spring are ready to take the field once again and we expect big things from an array of clubs in Southern Ohio.

As we get reacquainted with the softball diamond, here’s a list of 15 players in our coverage area, and in no particular order, to keep an eye on this spring if they get the chance to compete.

NOTE: This certainly does not mean there aren’t other players who will have great seasons and it is NOT a Top 15 list. This is simply a list of 15 players we’ve randomly compiled.

Cam Spruell, Hillsboro

There isn’t much to say about Spruell that hasn’t already been said. She’s phenomenal and that’s putting it lightly. Last season, she hit .493 and totaled 11 home runs, six doubles and 41 RBIs. In the circle, she was 18-3 with a 0.67 ERA alongside an area-high 338 strikeouts.

Maycee Ford, Notre Dame

Power, discipline and speed, all in one bat. That’s the best way to describe what Ford does at the dish. Once again, Notre Dame was ultra-successful last spring at 23-5 overall and a trip to a regional final. The Titans will be state title contenders again, and Ford is a huge reason why.

CJ Rittinger, Chillicothe

As a freshman, Rittinger dazzled hitters for a program that took the next step. She helped the Cavaliers win 16 games and their first sectional title since 2010 before receiving all-league, all-district and all-state honors. She’s the reigning Division I District POY for good reason.

Chillicothe’s CJ Rittinger helped her Cavaliers win their first sectional title since 2010 last spring.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

Sadie Binkley, Logan Elm

What a run Logan Elm went on last season. The Braves won 21 contests and collected their first regional title since 2012. Binkley led that charge from both the circle and the plate. On the state’s brightest stages, she seemed to shine the most. The scary part is that she’s only a junior.

Kaylynn Carter, Wheelersburg

It’s not like we don’t know Carter’s name. She’ll be the Pirates’ undisputed top option in the circle and she’s more than comfortable there, too. As a junior, she carried a 0.91 ERA through 77 innings with 81 strikeouts. And at the dish, she hit .560 with a .575 OBP. She does it all well.

Savannah Bushatz, Huntington

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times: Bushatz is one of the area’s best-kept secrets. As a junior, she batted .533 alongside 33 runs scored, 33 RBIs, 18 doubles and 21 stolen bases. Those numbers led the Huntsmen to 16 victories. Expect more of the same.

Jaylin Forbes, Piketon

This may be a bold statement, but Piketon is a bonafide contender for an SVC title this year. Forbes spearheads that movement and she showed why last spring. Batting .441, Forbes added eight doubles, two homers, 20 runs scored and 22 RBIs to her totals. She’s the real deal.

Rylie Young, Manchester

As a first-team All-Ohioan, Young spun 112 ⅓ innings in the circle, struck out 176 batters and posted a 1.55 ERA. She also added a .483 average, 28 RBIs and 23 runs to the Greyhounds’ totals before they bowed out in a district title game. She’ll be just as vaunted this season.

Khamil Martin, Ironton

There should be multiple Division I NCAA programs looking at Martin. That’s how good she is. As a sophomore, she hit .506, belting 12 home runs alongside 11 doubles, 33 RBIs, 40 runs and 19 stolen bases. She’s a five-tool player that will carry the Fighting Tigers this spring.

Haylee Hull, Unioto

The Shermans have won back-to-back district championships. Hull played a big part in last year’s victory, hitting .368 with 20 RBIs, nine doubles and two four-baggers. Her 35 base hits ranked third on a team that had a boat load of talent. She’ll be at the top of the list this year.

Unioto’s Haylee Hull will lead the Shermans into the 2025 season.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

Brenna Tibbs, Symmes Valley

If there’s one thing that’s certain every spring, it’s that Symmes Valley is going to have success on the diamond. Tibbs helped her Vikings finish 20-7 last spring with a share of the SOC II title in hand. With her in the circle, bet your bottom dollar they’ll be looking to defend that honor.

Maddie Wright, Jackson

Wright is one of the area’s most well-rounded catchers. She hit .364 as a sophomore with three homers, 10 doubles and 22 RBIs. Behind the dish? She posted a .991 fielding percentage with 219 putouts in 221 chances. She’ll only be better this spring as the Ironladies looks to contend.

Sarah Cassidy, Clay

Cassidy was no joke as a junior. She struck out 142 hitters in 112 innings of work while hitting .311 at the plate alongside five doubles and 11 RBIs. The Panthers bring back a plethora of starters from last spring and look to make noise. Cassidy will be key to reaching that goal.

Marly Halcomb, Adena

All year long, Halcomb looked like a seasoned veteran as a freshman. There was no need to catch up to the varsity game. She came ready to contribute. Her .446 batting average came with nine doubles, six triples, 34 runs and 14 stolen bases. She’s undoubtedly the Wariors’ future.

Sophi Stauffer, Paint Valley

If Stauffer makes contact, it’s essentially a hit. And if she gets on, she’s probably stealing second. There ain’t much you can do. Her blazing speed allowed her to hit .449 with three triples, 10 RBIs and 29 steals. She’ll be near the top of the leaderboards once again this spring.