Avon softball: Eagles are motivated to make another deep run

It’s always exciting for teams when they make a deep postseason run, but the first time doing it stands out most.

Avon won its first district title in coach Ken Matuszak’s 25-year tenure last season, and the Eagles made it to a regional final before falling to eventual state runner-up Holland Springfield, 3-2. Not only did Avon make history with its run last season, but the “first” for programs gives confidence to the future teams that it can be done.

Not only do the Eagles have confidence that they can do it again. They’re motivated to try and get back to the elite eight. The new season begins at 4:45 p.m. on March 28 with a home game against Brookside.

“This is one of our strengths, the passion and the will to get back to the elite eight,” Matuszak said. “We were one strike away from going to the final four, and all of these girls that played last year and the JV players and all of the reserves want to get back in that position.”

This will be a new team with some key players leaving, but key players also return. Last year, Kayla Dykin did it all to guide the Eagles to a regional final. Dykin struck out 67 batters alone in the postseason, and also led the offense with 14 home runs with a .625 batting average.

While a single player can’t step in and try to replace Dykin, Jada Smith will be Avon’s ace in the circle. The sophomore showed what she’s capable of in the March 26 scrimmage against Elyria Catholic, striking out seven Panthers and giving up zero runs in five innings.

“She learned a lot from Kayla last year as our second pitcher,” Matuszak said. “She pitched in some tough games last year and learned a lot. I tell her to be herself and that she’s not Kayla. You didn’t see Kayla as a sophomore (on the varsity), and she just needs to keep improving every day.”

As much as it’s tough to lose a player like Dykin, getting Toledo signee catcher Emma Ody back is huge for the Eagles. Matuszak calls her the heart and soul of the program, and she will be the leader that this team will be counting on.

“I am super excited about it,” Ody said. “I’m friends with all of them, we’re all friends with everybody. It helps me because if I’m down, then everybody else is going to be down. I know that I need to be on every single day, even if I’m not playing my best, I need to give my best effort. I’m excited to help lead this team.”

Smith isn’t a new pitcher for this team, but she will certainly be in a new role. Smith and Ody also have experience pitching and catching with each other, but having a veteran player behind the plate only helps a young pitcher that much more.

“I feel like Jada trusts me a lot, I trust Jada,” Ody said. “We’ve played with each other for a long time, so it’s not really new that we’ve been pitching and catching together. We have a great foundation, and the more innings she gets, I think she’s going to thrive this year.”

Avon’s two captains this season, Ody and Makenna Maxey, are two of only three seniors on the team. Junior first basemen Grace Mangan and sophomore outfielder Lauren Fischer also are returning starters that the Eagles will also be counting on this season. Amelia Holbrook played center field in the scrimmage, and batted .417 a year ago. Matuszak also said sophomore Natalie Thomas has hit the ball well in the four scrimmages after playing JV last year as a freshman.

As new as this might be, the goal stays the same. The Eagles weren’t considered a regional contender at this time a year ago, but they changed the program’s course of history.

“If you would’ve said that we’re going to the elite eight last year, I wouldn’t have thought that was possible,” Ody said. “I think it’s possible for any team, anywhere. We’ve got a great conference, so I think last year helped us a lot with the conference games. It’s super exciting to think about doing it again, but it’s one game at a time.”