The Bobcats' offseason began with their Mid-American Conference Tournament exit May 14. While the athletes' year is over, the coaching staff's summer recruiting season is just starting.
After finals, the offseason for players consists of returning to their respective homes equipped with homework on defensive fundamentals and a workout plan.
For coach Jodi Hermanek and assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Jenna Hall, the offseason signals the start of the most demanding and perhaps one of the most important parts of their jobs.
While our players get ready to go away for their wonderful summer vacations and enjoy their life away from Ohio softball
that's the biggest time of the year for us to bring kids to Ohio softball Hermanek said.
Hermanek and Hall scout eight to 10 tournaments through June, July and August. Assistant coach Sharonda McDonald, who will play professional softball this summer for the Akron Racers, part of the National Pro Fastpitch League, will join Hermanek and Hall in the fall.
With so many in-state schools recruiting players in Ohio, the coaches search for prospects all around the country.
Including the departing seniors, five Bobcats on the past season's roster were from California, four came from Ohio and three hailed from Washington. Players also came from New Jersey, Texas, Georgia, Wisconsin and Indiana.
We travel to find kids that are the talent level that we're looking for Hermanek said. We're one of the few (schools) that are able
willing and ready to go as far as we need to to bring kids in.
The coaches recruit players to replace incoming juniors on the team. Next year, the team has three juniors - Brooke Morgart, Alexis Zambrana and Jillian Van Wagnen - that need to be replaced by recruits.
Hermanek's staff completed the recruiting for players to replace outgoing seniors Shalene Petrich, Candace Saucedo and Deanna Hartsough two years ago.
The three freshmen who will join the team in the fall all have strengths similar to the outgoing seniors they're replacing, Hermanek said.
Erin Lashley, of Pickerington, is a quick outfielder who can help ease the blow of losing Petrich, a fixture for the Bobcats at center field and at the top of the lineup.
Lashley, who hit .350 with a .450 on-base percentage as a junior, is a left-handed slapper like Petrich.
Raven King, from Alpine, Utah, is a power-hitting first baseman similar to Hartsough.
The only difference between (King) and Deanna is that Raven is not a left-handed hitter
Hermanek said.
King hit .410 with 12 RBIs her junior season and was an Honorable Mention All-State selection in Utah.
Alex Basquez is a third baseman and pitcher out of Elk Grove, Calif.
Alex is going to bring a power bat like Candace had
Hermanek said. She's going to bring a lot of experience at third.
Ohio's freshmen were in and out of the lineup this past season, but Hermanek said the three incoming players will have consistent roles.
We definitely recruited them to come in and be intricate layers right away
Hermanek said.
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Nathaniel Maund
