Cardinal’s softball team enters the 2025 season with seven returning starters and plenty of reason for optimism.
The Huskies are stable in the circle and have plenty of talent ready to shine.
“Our expectations are high for the 2025 season,” said Cardinal coach Haley Adams. “With the loss of three seniors and a few other girls, there is the opportunity for a few younger girls for their numbers to be called upon. We bring back many impactful players this season who have experience, and we look forward to watching them grow. A few underclassmen have stood out to us, and we are eager to see them settle into their roles on the field and get the opportunity to watch them grow in the next several years. The girls and coaching staff are ready to build off of some amazing things that we accomplished last year.”
Cardinal finished 11-10 overall and 4-6 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division last spring.
With so many returning starters, Adams has been able to tweak her lineup to put the best nine on the diamond.
“We have been able to work a lot of different lineups and challenge the girls in different positions, and we like what we see from them thus far,” she said. “With another competitive group, each girl has been pushing the other and we are excited to see what this year’s group can do.”
Last spring, injuries hit the Huskies hard. They’re hoping to avoid a similar fate this spring.
“The biggest challenge we face this spring as a coaching staff is for the girls to stay healthy,” Adams said. “We battled some illnesses and injuries last year throughout the season and that will be our toughest task. Like many teams, battling the injury bug can be tough, especially in such a short season. Spring sports season can be tough already with schedule changes but also doing your best to keep the girls healthy and injury-free. We are looking at overcoming this challenge by preparing every girl for the most realistic position for them and the team on the field. Preparing them in scrimmages and practices will help the entire program.”
For the first time in many years, Cardinal’s pitching staff is among the team’s strengths.
Junior Maggie Grant established herself as one of the top arms in the Valley Division. She earned second-team All-CVC honors last spring with 65 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings. She also batted .431 with 28 hits, eight doubles, and a home run.
“(She is) a strong, versatile player who the younger girls in our lineup look up to,” Adams said. “She leads by example on the field and provides a strong impact on the field and at the plate.”
Freshman Brooklyn Whitely, sophomore Natalie Soltis, and senior Izabella Ciminello also will see time in the circle.
Soltis was 4-1 last season with 19 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings. She’ll start at second base when she isn’t pitching. At the plate, she batted .319 with 21 runs scored, 18 runs batted in, and 11 stolen bases.
“Natalie is another quick player in our lineup,” Adams said. “She can play middle infield but could also see time in the outfield and on the mound.”
The Huskies return three second-team All-CVC performers from last season.
Sophomore shortstop Emily Pleva also earned honorable mention all-district honors after batting .475 with 38 hits, 41 runs scored, and 35 RBI. Pleva stole 19 bases and posted a .929 fielding percentage.
“Emily is one of the smartest players in the program,” Adams said. “She can play multiple positions and is a mix of speed and power at the plate. Emily is a great leader to the team, both leading by example but also communicating on the field.”
Sophomore third baseman Olivia Krebs also was named honorable mention all-district. She batted .531 with 34 hits and 14 RBI. She also broke the school and career record for runs scored with 50 in a single season and led the team with 22 stolen bases. She drew a team-high 14 walks and posted a .876 fielding percentage.
“Olivia is a strong player for us,” Adams said. “She is someone who always finds a way to get on base while she’s at the plate but covers a lot of ground at third base. She wreaks havoc on the bases and our staff is excited to see her strong campaign continue in her sophomore season.”
Sophomore center fielder Ivy Kaminski earned second-team all-conference honors after batting .297 with 19 hits, 19 runs scored, 17 RBI, and two triples with 18 stolen bases.
“Ivy proved to be a consistent defender for our team last year,” Adams said. “It’s hard to put down any hit when Ivy is out on the field.”
Sophomore catcher Adelyn Grant returns after notching honorable mention All-CVC honors. As a freshman, she batted .355 with 32 runs scored, 12 doubles, three home runs, and 26 RBI. She posted a .975 fielding percentage and threw out 14 would-be base stealers.
“Adelyn provides a ton of power at the plate,” Adams said. “She also does a great job of keeping our pitchers loose and enjoying the moment, while also pushing them to their max. She is an athletic catcher who challenges herself and always wants to perform at her best.”
Senior Rylie Leichtman is back at first base after missing time with an injury. She batted .360 with 18 hits, eight doubles, nine RBI, and 10 runs scored last season. She also posted a .980 fielding percentage.
“Having Rylie back in the lineup after a year of injuries brings more power to our offense,” Adams said. “She hit .389 in her sophomore season and we look to see that aggression from Rylie at the plate again this year.”
Sophomore Nova Young will play right field. She batted .222 last season.
“Nova is another player who provides a sense of consistency to our team,” Adams said. “She is extremely coachable.”
Whitely will be in left field when she isn’t pitching.
“Brooklyn has put in a lot of work outside of practice and it shows when she plays,” Adams said. “She brings a different look when she is in the circle, and our coaching staff thinks this could play in our favor.”
Freshmen Layla Marcum, Bella Jones, Kalina Kundrat, and Sydney Lehr, sophomore Allyah Barbee, and seniors Gabriella Yoder and Ciminello will provide the Huskies with depth.
Cardinal’s lineup is a lot more formidable than in years past and their hard work has them on the verge of returning to one of the Valley Division’s more competitive squads.
“Our team’s biggest strengths are their competitive fight and fire, but also their IQ of the game,” Adams said. “The majority of the girls in our lineup can play multiple positions, which helps us in preparation for our game plan. We remind the girls of constantly paying attention in practices and scrimmages, so they are prepared when their number is called upon. Our offensive lineup is also a good balance of power and speed. These girls have already had a year or two underneath their belts against varsity competition, and we believe this will benefit the team this season.”
The Huskies can’t take anything for granted this season. Their success hinges on their ability to come together as a team and focus on the fundamentals of the game.
“Every person in our program has to be on the same page in order for us to be successful this season,” Adams said. “Something we talk a lot about at practice is owning your role. Whether that is a starter, a DH, a bench player, a pinch runner; own your role. Go out and give it everything you’ve got at every practice, game, etc. We implement this with our entire program.”
