By Lisa Renwick
Michelle Hoovler’s expectations are fairly simple of her Oil City softball team.
“My expectations for this year is for each girl to grow and improve,” said Hoovler, who has been with the Oilers since 2016.
“I expect them to give it all they’ve got and leave it all on the field. If they can do that, we will win some games; and if they do that, win or lose I’ll be happy.”
The Oilers do have some room to grow.
Oil City is coming off an 0-18 campaign, scoring just 64 runs (3.6 per game) along the way.
But the Oilers were also dealing with a very young team that consisted of two seniors.
Hoovler and Co. have three seniors and five juniors this season, but are still heavy on underclassmen with nine freshmen and one sophomore.
“My expectations for this year is for each girl to grow and improve,” said Hoovler, who has been with the Oilers since 2016.
“I expect them to give it all they’ve got and leave it all on the field. If they can do that, we will win some games; and if they do that, win or lose I’ll be happy.”
The Oilers do have some room to grow.
Oil City is coming off an 0-18 campaign, scoring just 64 runs (3.6 per game) along the way.
But the Oilers were also dealing with a very young team that consisted of two seniors.
Hoovler and Co. have three seniors and five juniors this season, but are still heavy on underclassmen with nine freshmen and one sophomore.
| “I have a great group of younger girls who bring a lot of experience and energy to the team and are very eager to learn,” Hoovler said. "They will be a great addition to the experienced players who are returning from last year. I have more pitchers available than I’ve had in the past which also gives us a lot of different options defensively.” Oil City did lose one of its top hitters to graduation in Lizzy Hoovler (.273), but does return catcher Maddie Webber (.321). Nysaa Hanlon (.192) and Payton Burk (.200) are also back. |  |
| “We have a young team so we just have to make sure we can recover from the mistakes we make, forget about them and move on,” Hoovler said. “That has been a problem for us in the past; getting down on ourselves when the mistakes come. I hope improve on that this year.” |  |
Hoovler’s probable starters are as follows: Shalyn Whittemore (pitcher), Maddie Wenner (catcher), Maddy Marczak (first base), Payton Burk (second base), Abby Foley (third base), Libbie Arnink (shortstop), Mara Martinec (left field), Nyssa Hanlon (center field) and Ainslee Hulver (right field).
 | Oil City Head coach: Michelle Hoovler Assistant coaches: Tom Wice and Brienna Canter Roster Libbie Arnink – 9 Gracie Brown – 9 Payton Burk – 12 Abby Foley – 9 Nyssa Hanlon – 10 Ainslee Hulver – 12 Ashia Jackson – 12 Hannah Krug – 11 Imogen Kulling – 9 Maddy Marczak – 11 Mara Martinec - 11 Abi McDonald – 9 Paige Roess – 11 Haylee Snyder – 9 Maddie Wenner – 11 Jayden White – 9 Shalyn Whittemore – 9 Elise Wilson – 9 Hailey Wood – 11 |
Lisa Renwick was a long-time sports reporter and sports editor for The Meadville Tribune. She recently took another job in order to spend time with her family and especially her daughter Brynlee who is entering kindergarten.
Lisa loves softball and her coverage over the years has taken her all over the east coast. She has covered state champions and gone to the softball World Series. She has agreed to help us out Eight & 322 by keeping an eye on this spring season for us. We are thrilled to have her.
Lisa loves softball and her coverage over the years has taken her all over the east coast. She has covered state champions and gone to the softball World Series. She has agreed to help us out Eight & 322 by keeping an eye on this spring season for us. We are thrilled to have her.
RSS Feed