The Cougars Softball squad is preparing to pounce this season and the sky is the limit on the journey ahead.
East Hardy Softball coach Noah Orndorff enters his second season at the helm with a dismal chapter closed and turning the page to a better tomorrow.
Paving the way this season will be a trio of seniors: Adyson Crider, Gracie Heishman and Madison Strosnider.
Strosnider has committed to play softball for Richard Bland College of the College of William and Mary. Strosnider is an elite pitcher and corner infielder for the Cougars with over 100 career strikeouts.
Heishman commands home plate for Strosnider and the pitching staff as a top notch catcher.
Crider is a fast outfielder for East Hardy.
All three of these seniors have shown great determination and consistent hitting power.
These seniors have been terrific leaders during practice, helping the younger players understand the system and to become more like a family.
East Hardy junior class includes: Paylynn Rexrode (SS, 2B), Jaylynn Combs (Utility, P), Taylor McReynolds (OF, 2B) and Bella Bauserman (1B, OF).
The Cougars sophomore trio is: Adriana Garcia-Gonzalez (OF), Danielle Funkhouser (OF) and Aubrey Roof (OF); freshmen duo rounds out the roster: Alexis Baker (P, 3B, OF) and Charlee Hahn (OF).
Coach Orndorff looks for team growth this year.
“Goals for the team are to grow together and play our best ball by the end of the season,” East Hardy Softball coach Noah Orndorff stated.
“Team chemistry has been okay to start the season. We expect our chemistry to grow as the season progresses given the we have only been at it for two weeks. I have been very pleased with how players have handled our standards and expectations. All have taken accountability to do the right things in our program, and have also had good focus in practice. We also have positive leadership within our upperclassmen.”
Accompanying Coach Orndorff on the sidelines will be assistant coach Joey Strosnider.
During practice, Coach Orndoff helped with running techniques and Strosnider controlled the pitching duties.
For the first time in history, the Cougars will not have cross county rival Moorefield on the schedule.
The Cougars added Luray, VA to the schedule.
The home opener this year was against Petersburg and the Cougars suffered a 17-1 loss.
East Hardy hosted the Luray Bulldogs on Monday and greet Tucker County tonight.
East Hardy will face a pair of Maryland teams: Fort Hill and Southern Garrett.
The Cougars will play the Class A defending state champion Pendleton County in Baker on April Fool’s Day and travel to Franklin on Earth Day.
East Hardy plays Berkeley Springs, Hampshire, Tygarts Valley, Martinsburg, Elkins and Spring Mills.
“We have had members of our team that worked hard this offseason to prepare for the season and I’m excited to see their progress,” Coach Orndorff concluded.
The Cougars look to the wide open skies for success this year.
