Promising Fliers excited to take field on new turf

CLYDE — One of Clyde's most promising softball teams in years will get to aim for its goals on a brand new, turf field. The Fliers are already enjoying the gift, donated by Joe and Sharon Wilson and installed by Maumee Bay Turf. "This is the most we've ever gotten outside," Clyde coach Marc Marshall said. "Even if it's rainy in the morning, we can come out (in the afternoon) and it's beautiful. It dries so well. We're pretty lucky, pretty fortunate." The sharp, fresh field could be in the spotlight for much of the season. Clyde is coming off a D-II district final appearance last spring and graduated just two starters from a team that was also second place in the SBC Lake Division at 8-4 (16-11 overall). "Last year we were so young, we started three freshmen and a sophomore," Marshall said. "Now their roles are gonna change. That whole, 'Oh you guys are young,' that doesn't hold water anymore. Now you have to take on a more substantial role." Among the returners are first-team All-Ohio outfielder Karissa Smith, a senior committed to Heidelberg, and first-team all-league pitcher Maddie Dukeshire. Smith batted exactly .500 last spring while whacking 12 doubles and a home run and stealing 11 bases. "She just has to continue to lead and not put too much pressure on herself," Marshall said. "She had a very good year. You can't worry about that. That was last year. You've just got to take care of business this year. Work on the process and the things you can control, and all the other stuff will take care of itself." Dukeshire hit in the heart of the order and can also play the infield when she's not pitching. The Fliers have a lot of flexibility in the circle this spring with returning sophomore Vanessa West and promising freshman Taitum Jeffrey also expected to get innings. "That helps," Marshall said. "... We'll go with a three-man rotation." West was one of the three freshman starters last spring for Clyde, along with fellow infielders Teaghan Smith and Mya Stiefel. Adriana Barnes-Ortman also saw ample playing time as a ninth-grader. The big replacement comes at catcher, where stalwart Jenna Burroughs graduated. Kennedi Long, a junior who played first base last spring, slides behind the plate. That potentially frees up first base for power-hitting Aubrey Sengstock, a senior. "We're all really excited," Smith said. "Being a senior, it's definitely my turn to be a leader. We have a lot of underclassmen, and this year, we want to pick up where we left off last year." This will be Marshall's 34th year as Clyde's head coach. In his tenure, the Fliers are 553-258. The SBC Lake certainly feels more open than it has been the past couple years after pitcher Maci Smythe graduated from Bellevue and is now playing at D-II Walsh. The veteran Marshall knows, though, that until proven otherwise, this is the Lady Red's league to lose. "Well, (Smythe's graduation) certainly helps," Marshall said with a laugh. "But Bellevue has to be the favorite. They've won it three years in a row, and until someone beats them, they're always gonna be the cream of the crop and the rest of us are trying to get there." Much of the endeavor for Clyde will take place on the turf. The Fliers are getting used to the true hops in the infield but also the big bounces in the outfield. "You've definitely got to cut it off, or it's gonna bounce over the fence," the centerfielder Smith said. "It definitely plays a lot faster, but I'm getting used to it." An addition of lights beyond the outfield fences also allows for night softball, which Clyde will take advantage of in an evening trio of games that also include Mansfield Madison and Eastwood on April 13. "That's gonna be a fun one," Marshall said. "... The light poles we repurposed from the soccer field." The D-I regional that was already hosted at Clyde will have a shiny new field to play on, and other postseason events could eye Clyde as a destination. The Fliers are the second school in the Register coverage area with a turf softball field, after Danbury. At Clyde, they're certainly hoping the special field upgrade can coincide with a special season. "The district is definitely our goal this year, that and winning the SBC," Smith said. "Last year was the furthest we've made it in my years, and I think we're capable of being in that same position."