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By BUBBA KAPRAL
PADEN CITY -- Optimism abounds with the Paden City this spring.
The Wildcats were a young an inexperienced squad in 2016, winning just nine of 26 starts. However, second-year coach Chris Neff welcomes back a well-seasoned bunch, needing to replace just one player, albeit a very good one, Taylor Cosper.
Versatile senior Madeline Cox tops the list of returnees. She started at first base as a freshman and sophomore before becoming the regular catcher a year ago. She batted .325 last season.
Junior Aubrey Neff turned in a sparkling sophomore campaign, earning special mention all-state plaudits. She batted. 371 while also compiling four pitching wins.
Neff will share pitching duties with sophomore Hannah Loy and juniors Katrina Heasley and Caitlin Stewart, who missed all of 2016 because of knee surgery.
Loy made an impact as a freshman, hitting at a .357 clip.
Junior Jenna Ferrebee can fill many positions, be it in the infield or outfield. She batted .307 last year.
Cox will share catching duties with junior Shelby Schultheis. Providing additional depth are sophomore Madison Knight and Skylar Fulk, the team's only freshman.
Senior ace Shelby Gatian anchors the outfield. Ferrebee will see some fly-chasing duty along with sophomore Ashlyn Moses and juniors Jenna Arnett and Bre Henthorn. First-year seniors Samantha Edwards and Rachel Loy are also vying for regular outfield time.
Ferrebee will be one of three Wildcats to handle first-base duties. She will be joined by sophomore Delainey Lantz and first-year senior Kallie Arnett.
Heasley is a holdover at second base while Hannah Loy, Neff and Cox will split time at shortstop.
Sophomore Hope Cooper will share time at third base with Stewart and Neff. Cooper can also play in the outfield.
"Our 2017 expectations are to build on the experience that our young team gained last year. I expect us to compete well but we must clean up defensive and mental mistakes that lead to big innings," Neff said. "We must continue to build depth at key positions. We hope to get back to the OVAC tournament that we missed last year after qualifying for it the previous three years."
Heather Riggle returns as Neff's assistant.
March: 18: Trinity Christian (2) Noon
March 20: Hundred 5:30 p.m.
March 21: Tyler 5 p.m.
March 23: at Tyler 5 p.m.
March 24: at Cameron 6 p.m.
March 25: at St. John's (2) Noon
March 27: Valley 5 p.m.
March 28: Magnolia 5 p.m.
March 29: Hundred 5:30 p.m.
March 30: Bishop Donahue 5:30 p.m.
April 1: Bridgeport (2) Noon
April 3: at Valley 5 p.m.
April 4: St. Marys 5 p.m.
April 5: at River 5 p.m.
April 6: at Bishop Donahue 5:30 p.m.
April 7-8: at Magnolia Tournament 5 p.m.
April 10: Cameron 6 p.m.
April 11: Beallsville 5 p.m.
April 12: River 5 p.m.
April 17: at Ritchie County 5 p.m.
April 18: at Clay Battelle 5:30 p.m.
April 19: Park. Catholic (2) 4:30 p.m.
April 20: at Beallsville 5 p.m.
April 21:at St. Marys 5 p.m.
April 22: Ravenswood (2) Noon
April 25:Clay Battelle 5:30