As the Northern Lakes League begins its second season under a two-division alignment, perennial power Springfield looks to defend its Cardinal Division softball championship from 2024.

Rob Gwozdz, who enters his 24th season, has posted a 464-150 career record with the Blue Devils, a run that includes 11 league championships and three trips to the Division I state final four.

Although the Blue Devils may not have the same proven level of pitching they had with three-year starter Mady Yackee from 2021-23, returning senior No. 1 starter Callee Chappetta improved greatly throughout last season. That, combined with the four talented and experienced fourth-year varsity players in Springfield's veteran lineup, makes the Devils a near-unanimous favorite to repeat their division crown this season.

Here is a look at the Cardinal Division teams in predicted order of finish.

Springfield (21-8, 11-4), which went 28-1 and reached the Division I state final in 2023, experienced a slight drop-off last year with the graduation of some key personnel. But the Blue Devils look to make it two straight Cardinal titles and make a deep tournament run having moved from D-I to D-III this season in Ohio's new seven-division tournament format.

Those goals seem within reason with five key seniors to lead the way — four-year starters Cam Eckhart (catcher; .384, 12 HR, 38 RBIs), Cam Hall (shortstop; .455, 6 HR, 19 RBIs), Hannah Schlachter (outfield; .373, 9 HR, 40 RBIs), and Kenya Crowley (outfield; .319, 9 HR, 35 RBIs), and returning pitcher Chappetta (.442; 19-7, 2.63 ERA, 107 strikeouts).

Eckhart, who was second team All-Ohio in D-I last year, has committed to play at DePaul University. Hall has committed to Grand Valley State, Schlachter to Detroit Mercy, and Crowley to Lourdes.

“This team returns a ton of depth and experience with seven seniors in the starting lineup,” Gwozdz. “Last year, as a team, we hit 54 home runs. We have goals to win the NLL Cardinal Division and make a deep tournament run.”

Clay (19-9, 9-6) looks to give Springfield a run for the Cardinal championship behind six returning starters, a promising freshman, and an experienced transfer.

Coach Brenda Radabaugh, in her 24th season (456-175) at Clay and her 32nd year overall as a head coach, will count on heavily on her three returnees who were named to the All-NLL Cardinal first team a year ago — senior Brynn Reiter (center field; .444, 39 RBIs) and juniors Olivia Haas (P-SS-3B; .558) and Madison Franke (C; .378, 5 HR, 36 RBIs). They will be complemented by three other returnees — junior Jenna Swartz (junior, P-1B; .358), and sophomores Emily Cordell (P-OF-1B; 7-1 record, 3.00 ERA) and Lillian Cordell (OF-3B-P).

They will be joined by freshman Ellie Haynes (SS-3B) and junior Zoi Zahradnik (P-1B; .453, 33 RBIs; 11-8 record, 2.49 ERA), who transferred from Notre Dame. Clay was ousted from D-I tournament play last year in a sectional final loss to Mansfield Madison.

“We are returning 10 hard-working players from last season with two strong additions to the team,” Radabaugh said. “We have a pitching staff with a variety of different looks that we hope will keep our opponents off balance. We are blessed with a cohesive group of players who challenge and support each other.”

Bowling Green (13-12, 9-6) begins its third season under coach Cassie Nauman, who is hoping the Bobcats can again compete in the top half of the Cardinal standings.

She will rely on six returning starters, including seniors Zoe Ziems (P-OF; 7-4 record, 3.27 ERA), Baylee Irvin (1B), and Hannah Yarger (OF; .353), junior Hannah Sayler (C), and sophomores Juliana Firsdon (P-OF; .356; 3-2, 3.33 ERA) and Ella White (3B).

The Bobcats were ousted from D-I tournament play by Northview in a sectional final.

“We are looking to have quality at bats, meaning we go up to the plate thinking to be productive for the team in any way possible,” Nauman said. “Moving runners, working walks, bunting, etc. We have pitchers that are capable of a good number of strikeouts each game and a trustworthy defense behind them.”

Napoleon (12-13, 6-9) will be a junior-dominated team, with seven returning as starters under second-year coach Chad Gregory.

He will count on Arianna Kiessling (P; 8-6, 2.59 ERA), Addy Thompson (C; .325, 6 HR, 28 RBIs), Faith Rubinstein (3B; .329), Alex Duryea (SS; .307), Anika McCorkle (utility), and Emma Grisier (1B). They should get a boost from promising freshman Carmen Rupp (2B).

The Wildcats advanced to a D-II district final a year ago before losing to eventual state runner-up Bryan.

“The majority of our starters are returning players who gained valuable experience and confidence from last season,” Gregory said. “Our pitching is very strong again this year. Offensively, if we can string a few hits together and provide that offensive support, we will be competitive overall. Our focus is to take one game at a time and play within our means. We still have work to do and something to prove.”

Southview (6-18, 2-12) will be undergoing a building process under first-year coach Jim Cress, who will look for players to improve and distinguish themselves as he searches for leadership.

Three seniors — Zoey Jacobs (C-IF), Anna Hodge (IF), and Devyn Hunsaker (OF) — should provide help in that area. The Cougars were beaten in last year's D-I sectional finals by Springfield.

“The main focus this year with a new coaching staff has been to instill confidence and chemistry within the program,” Cress said, “and to develop essential fundamentals. We have a great group of players returning that have been working hard, and if we can clean up just a handful of fundamental issues, we expect to be significantly more competitive this year.

“We have such a small roster this year that every player will be an impact player in whatever success we have.”

Fremont Ross (6-21, 0-15) will also have a relatively young roster for seventh-year coach Megan Rahe.

The Little Giants will rely on leadership from seniors Alivia Wesienauer (C) and Addy Schoch (utility), who will get help from junior Jersey Smith (OF), sophomore Rubi Almaguer (SS; .400), and freshman Brooklyn Berndt (P-IF).

Ross lost its D-I tournament opener to Southview in 2024.

“Many of our players have varsity experience, and we are going to use that to our advantage,” Rahe said. “Our team has a variety of skills, and we plan to utilize our strengths this season.”

In Ohio's new seven-division tournament format this year, Southview and Fremont Ross will compete in Division II, Bowling Green, Clay, and Springfield in D-III, and Napoleon in D-IV.

First Published March 29, 2025, 1:18 p.m.