Spring Sports Preview: Solon Softball Hopes to Contend in NOC

There are no breathers in Northeast Ohio Conference softball.

Just ask Solon head coach LeAnn Fonner.

"Every time we play a league game we know it's going to be a dogfight," said Fonner, now in her sixth season as the varsity coach. "Stow, Hudson, Cuyahoga Falls and Nordonia are always tough but the league is anyone's to win this year and I look for us to be competitive."

The Lady Comets welcome back six seniors to the team and five of them will start. The all-senior outfield is experienced with Sharon Wong, Vicki DiBacco and Amanda Borlin.

Solon has one of the best pitchers in the area in senior All-NOC hurler Dani Zysek, who is also the team's top hitter and RBI leader. Senior catcher Leah Archer is another three-year starter and she will continue her playing career at Cleveland State University.

Sophomore Carly Simececk and senior Elizabeth Lim are in competition for the first baseman position and Morgan Gersey and Emily Maxson are battling it out for a spot at second base. Freshman three-sport standout Kristen Confroy will start at shortstop while Maxson and Gabby Lucarelli will see action at third base. Jessie Cohen-Kiraly will display her offensive talents as the designated hitter.

As tough as the conference schedule of games is, the Lady Comets also take on some very good teams outside of the NOC this season.

"We have beefed up our schedule by adding last year's state champs, Massillon Perry, a tough Walsh Jesuit team, Poland and Willoughby South," said Fonner. "Our hope is to improve inning in and inning out and make a run in the tournament."