Speed will be the identity for Madison entering the 2026 softball season.
The Blue Streaks return four starters and seven letterwinners from a team that went 12-7 overall and 6-5 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division last spring, but this year’s roster will look much different after the graduation of six key contributors, including All-Ohio pitcher Kara Mekulsia. Even so, head coach David Negin believes the athleticism and upside of this group can help Madison stay competitive while it grows into the season.
“We are an extremely young team with just two multi-year lettermen returning,” Negin said. “We have been really pleased with the work ethic and coachability of this group. There is a lot of promise, but our lack of experience may cause some growing pains throughout the season.”
Madison will lean on two proven seniors to steady a roster filled with freshmen and sophomores. Negin knows that leadership will matter, especially early.
“Having seniors Ally Negin and Natalie Best – both four-year starters – returning will be very comforting to our new players but we must replace six key contributors from last year, including Mekulsia. We will be asking at least three freshmen starters and several sophomores who got some limited varsity experience last year to fill those spots.”
Veteran Leaders Provide Stability
Madison’s lineup starts with senior catcher Ally Negin, a Susquehanna University recruit who turned in one of the area’s best all-around seasons a year ago. Negin hit .480 with 21 RBIs, a .594 on-base percentage, eight doubles and one home run. Behind the plate, she threw out six of seven base stealers and did not commit an error all season.
“Ally had a big year last year despite missing over a week due to an injury.”
Her presence should be especially valuable for Madison’s young pitchers, both because of her production and her experience managing a game.
Best gives the Blue Streaks another dependable veteran in the middle of the order. Best hit .344 with 11 RBIs, scored 16 runs and posted a .471 on-base percentage last spring while earning honorable mention all-conference honors.
“Natalie has been our first baseman the last four years and is a leader in our infield. Her hitting came alive last season, coming up with many big hits in the middle of our order. She has had a good preseason, and we think she is primed for a fantastic year.”
With Negin and Best forming a strong 3-4 combination, Madison has two established bats it can trust as the younger players settle into larger roles.
Speed Could Change Everything
If there is one trait Negin believes can separate this team, it is team speed.
“We have the most team speed of any team I’ve had here, and are hoping to be able to use that speed to help generate runs for us.”
That speed shows up all over the field. Sophomore Caydence Deaton is expected to move into a regular role at second base after appearing in 10 varsity games last year as a courtesy runner and defensive replacement. Deaton also gives Madison another athletic option in the circle.
“Caydence is very athletic and extremely competitive. She is fast, a smart baserunner, and very reliable with her glove. We look for her to be a regular in the field for us and get more extended opportunities at the plate this year.”
Sophomore Maddy Jo Moore returns after starting 18 games in center field a year ago, batting .293 with a .383 on-base percentage and five stolen bases. Moore is projected to open this spring in left field.
“Maddy Jo is fast and is a good outfielder. The experience she gained last year has shown up in the early going for us. She is a hard worker and has improved in all aspects of her game.”
Freshman Lauren Martin could quickly become one of the most dynamic newcomers on the roster. Martin is expected to begin the year in center field, where her athleticism could make an immediate impact.
“We are very excited about Lauren as a player. She is probably the best overall athlete we have on our team – combining speed, explosiveness and power. She can play both in the infield and outfield but will start the year out in center. She has the ability to make the tough plays look easy out there.”
Sophomore Addison Wargula and sophomore Payton Toward are also in the mix for right field and designated player at-bats. Wargula saw limited varsity action last season, while Toward made the most of her opportunities by hitting .333 with a .429 on-base percentage in nine varsity games.
“Addison was a defensive replacement and had limited varsity action last season. She is a great teammate and competitor. Both her hitting and fielding have improved.”
“Payton is a very versatile player. She can play anywhere except pitcher and catcher for us. She is in a battle for the right field job but may open the year as our DP. We look for her to make even more strides this year.”
Senior Mandy Lynch and senior Lily Harris add depth as top substitutes. Lynch can play first base and the outfield, while Harris offers versatility at second base and in the outfield.
Freshmen Will Be Asked to Grow Up Fast
Madison’s biggest adjustment will come in the circle, where freshmen Camille Horvath and Paige Higgins are expected to shoulder major innings right away.
Negin likes what he has seen from both young pitchers, but he also knows there will be a learning curve as they jump into varsity softball.
“Our inexperience is real and we are really hoping to have good weather this early spring so we can get some game experience under our belts before league play begins.”
“Our two freshmen pitchers are going to be good ones for us. Both are top notch kids who love softball. I like to say that they are jumping from playing 14U softball to now 18U, so that inevitably comes with a learning curve. However, both have impressed us in the early going, and we are excited to see their growth this year.”
When Horvath and Higgins are not pitching, both are expected to rotate at shortstop. That gives Madison more flexibility and keeps two of its most talented freshmen in the middle of the action.
“When they are not pitching, Paige and Camille will be at shortstop for us. Both are excellent athletes who come to us having played a lot of softball in their lives. They both have good gloves and softball IQ. Paige is extremely fast and a good gap hitter and we think she will ignite our offense as our leadoff hitter. Camille will hit behind Paige and is also a fantastic hitter. She can hit the ball to all fields and will be a tough out at the plate for us.”
Horvath brings command and pitchability in the circle.
“Cam is very good at locating her pitches and changing speeds. She is not going to overpower many people but has the ability to miss a lot of barrels.”
Higgins offers a different look with more power.
“Paige throws hard and has a different type of pitching style than Cam. She works extremely hard at her craft, and her confidence keeps growing more and more in the circle. Both Paige and Cam are both going to be used heavily this year. We are excited to have two pitchers this season. While we lose a dominant one in Kara, having two pitchers will allow us to do some things we weren’t able to do in the past.”
Deaton gives Madison a third option in the circle.
“Caydence provides a quality third option for us. She throws strikes and she competes.”
The Middle of the Field Must Be Strong
The Blue Streaks also expect sophomore Hannah Welch to take on a bigger offensive role this season. Welch hit .283 with a .397 on-base percentage, 15 hits, four doubles and one triple last year. She is projected to start at third base while also serving as the backup catcher.
“Hannah played a lot of outfield for us last year, but she will start the year as our primary third basemen and also serve as our backup catcher. Hannah hit very well last season, especially in league play. Both her confidence and ability have grown since last season, and we are counting on her to be a big producer in the middle of our order.”
With Best at first, Deaton at second, Horvath and Higgins sharing shortstop, and Welch at third, Madison has a young but athletic infield. Add Negin behind the plate, and the Blue Streaks believe they have enough pieces to support their developing staff.
Better Defense Will Be a Must
Madison knows its defense has to improve for the season to unfold the way it wants.
With Mekulsia gone, the Blue Streaks will not rely as much on overpowering pitching. That means more balls in play, more pressure on the fielders and more importance on making routine plays consistently.
“It is imperative for our defense to be improved from last year, which we think it will be, especially in the outfield. With Kara gone and two freshmen pitchers that are not as overpowering as Kara was the last few years, teams are going to put the ball in play more against us. We need to be able to make the necessary plays to keep ourselves in games.”
The outfield speed of Moore, Martin, Wargula and others should help Madison cover more ground, and that could become one of the team’s quiet strengths as the season progresses.
Daily Progress Will Define the Season
Madison may be young, but Negin still expects his team to compete every time it takes the field. The Blue Streaks know the CVC Lake Division will be tested by experienced teams, and they also know much of their success will come down to how quickly this roster matures.
“As always, we expect to compete in each game. As young as we are, we are just hoping to get better and better each day. The CVC Lake Division has some very experienced teams back so we are intrigued how we might stack up once we start league play.”
For Madison, the formula is clear. The Blue Streaks will count on proven senior leadership from Negin and Best, look for immediate growth from Horvath, Higgins, Martin and the rest of their young core, and try to let their speed impact every phase of the game. If that happens, Madison could become a difficult team to handle by the time league play heats up.
