MECHANICSBURG SOFTBALL
Coach: Abbey (Sherman) Delong
Notable: Delong was an All-Ohio pitcher at Mechanicsburg and a Capital and Urbana University standout; she returns to coach the team for the second time in her career and is assisted by Triad alum Chris Heizer.
Opener: Home vs. Fairbanks at 5 p.m. today
No matter the years that pass by, the old high school diamond still feels like home for Abbey Delong.
“Softball is what I love. It’s what I do,” said Delong, a former All-Ohio pitcher-turned-coach at Mechanicsburg. “I’m so excited to be back (at my alma mater) and the girls are excited, too. They’re working hard.”
The one-time Capital and Urbana University standout coached the Indians with considerable success from 2006 to 2008, then left to raise a family.
Six years and four children later she’s back, determined to make Mechanicsburg a perennial Ohio Heritage Conference contender.
“After baby number four, it just wasn’t fair for me to continue (coaching),” Delong said. “The time my husband (Scott) and I had always devoted to the program I just couldn’t do. It was important to be home with the kids. They always come first.”
With her youngest son turning four years old in June, Delong felt the time was right to return to the game she loves. She replaces Christie Dodane, who now heads the junior varsity program.
“Christie and I talked and we both felt it was a good time for her and for me,” said Delong. “I said, ‘You know what? Let’s do it. Let’s just make that switch.’
“She stayed on to be my JV coach, so she’s stepped down a little bit, but I think it was a way for her to get to watch (her kids) Jamie and Mikayla. Christie and I have a real good relationship and it’s nice to have her. We’re both competitive. We both want to win. It’s nice that she decided to stay on staff.”
Equal parts youth and experience, Mechanicsburg finished in the middle of the OHC pack a year ago and won its Division IV sectional tournament opener.
“We’d like to throw some wins together,” Delong said. “I’m excited to see just how it plays out. Getting them to believe is half the battle, but we’re hoping to shock a few people.”
The Indians return a handful of seasoned letterwinners paced by lone senior Jansen Hartzler. The veteran has three years of varsity pitching experience, plays travel ball in the summer and boasts ample speed.
“She’ll be good with my freshman (pitcher, Elyshia Stapleton),” said Delong, who plans to rotate the pair between left field and the pitcher’s circle.
Sophomore Christine Kingrey adds a third hurler to Mechanicsburg’s roster.
Jamie Dodane, who this winter became Mechanicsburg’s youngest player to surpass 1,000 career points in basketball, moves from shortstop to third base.
“Jamie’s a great kid and does anything I ask of her,” Delong said. “She has great hands and is going to hit in the two spot for me.
“She’s playing beside Paige Loveless, my shortstop and my leadoff hitter, and they have great communication with each other. They work great together.”
Also returning are second baseman Gina Dano and utility player Sam Schitzer. The hard-luck Schitzer, who wears a brace on both kneews, missed the past two basketball seasons with ACL tears.
“We’re happy to have Sam back. She’s a strong kid, a great athlete and just an overall good kid,” Delong said. “She listens, asks what I want her to do, and will hit three for me.”
Anchoring Mechanicsburg’s defense is catcher Mary Mayo, a fearless freshman who welcomes the pressure and grit of her defensive assignment.
Sophomore center fielder Mayci Powell, junior right fielder Mallory Kara, and junior utility players Amy Herdman and Sam Marsh are also expected to contribute.
“The OHC is strong,” Delong said. “If you look at the sectional and district results, there are always OHC teams in the running. Our goal is to compete and see what we can do at tournament time. We’ve set some goals, and one of them is to be at the top of the league.”
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