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The Marian University Ancilla Softball team is looking to make major improvements in 2025. Following a 1-35 Spring season in 2024, there is nowhere to go but up, however, this year's group of Chargers is thinking about loftier goals than just a couple more wins. New Head Coach Gil Arzola would like to see his team compete to be in the top half of the MCCAA Western Division. With four strong returnees in the mix, along with a collection of talented newcomers, this year's squad looks to already be much more competitive after a nice Fall season against quality competition.
Tops among the returnees is 5-2 Sophomore Abigail Heaston. You will primarily see her at second base, plus she is strong at the plate, having hit .391 last year, with a triple, a home run, 7 runs driven in, plus 9 bases stolen. 5-10 Sophomore Samantha Hoffman will join her in the lineup at both first base and on the mound. She can start games and eat up a lot of innings, or she can come in for relief work as well. Last season Hoffman was a .293 hitter, with 10 runs batted in, and she had a .957 fielding percentage. In the circle, she appeared in 14 games, started 12, and completed 11, going 68 innings and striking out 37 batters. 5-6 Sophomore Avery Mason brings a lefty bat to the lineup and she can add a little pop as well. In 2024, Mason hit .284 at the plate, she knocked a triple and a home run, plus she drove in 9 runs while stealing 5 bases. She will likely play in the outfield and at first base. The fourth of the returnees is 5-2 Sophomore Kylee Heard. She is a quick, active center fielder who figures out ways to get on base, and once she's there, she's a threat to steal (7 SB in 2024). Heard also played the entire 2024 season without an error in the field.
When it comes to the newbies for the Chargers, look for the battery of Freshman pitcher Kimberly Cummings and Freshman catcher Hannah Carter to make an instant impact. Cummings, a 5-9 lefty who graduated from Benton Central High School, comes to MUAC after spending a year at Purdue University, though she did not play on the team. She will bring power to both the pitching circle and to the plate as a hitter, plus she'll leave it all out on the field. Cummings will likely play first base when she isn't pitching. Carter, a 5-9 graduate of Delta High School, is a solid backstop who hit over .400 throughout her prep career, and she amazingly only struck out 4 times in 4 years. When she isn't catching, Carter will also play third base and act as a designated hitter. 5-4 Freshman Cayla Beasley will be the opening day shortstop. She is talented with her glove in the field, and she can hit for contact and power both at the plate. Look for the Mooresville High School grad to also be active on the basepaths. 5-4 Freshman Morgan Fogle will be a utility player for the Chargers in 2025. She comes in with a background as a high IQ and disciplined catcher, but she is also a patient hitter, and she will act as a designated hitter plus possibly play some in the infield. Fogle is from Hicksville High School in Northwest Ohio, not far from Fort Wayne. 5-4 Freshman Madison Roach was a 4-year starter at River Forest High School, where she also played for Coach Arzola during her prep career. She is reliable defensively at third base, plus she is a contact hitter at the plate. 5-3 Sophomore Sofie Francis transferred in this year after spending her Freshman year at Blue Mountain Community College in Oregon. Francis started 29 games in the field for the Timberwolves, plus she pitched 37 1/3 innings. She will likely play left field to begin the year, but she should show her versatility by playing other positions, including pitcher. Francis is originally from Clearwater High School in Utah. 5-7 Freshman Tennley Werner should be a staple in right field. She has a strong arm and a good bat, plus she played for a quality program at South Central High School in Union Mills. Additional newcomers looking to contribute include: 5-4 Freshman Cayla Craft of Knox High School, 5-9 Freshman Madison Lowe of North Harrison High School, 5-6 Freshman Lilliana McMillen of Argos Community High School, 5-3 Redshirt Freshman Marissa Milam of Culver Community High School (and a transfer from North Park University), plus 5-0 Freshman Kierstin Schjoll of Irvington Prep Academy in Indianapolis.
With his first season just around the corner, Head Coach Gil Arzola is cautiously optimistic about the team's chances. "We expect our kids to work hard and compete every game. If we do that, we feel like we can be competitive within the MCCAA and maybe surprise a few people along the way. We have a nice mix of players who are quality softball players, true student-athletes, and great people. Regardless of our win/loss total, we will always be prepared, work together, and play hard."