Rootstown Rovers 2026 Softball Preview
Team name: Rootstown Rovers
2025 record: 18-10
Coach: Paige Byers - 5 years
Coaching staff: Taylor Shepherd, Aleena Laney, Abby White
Key returning players: Katie Sisley (Senior), Kaitlyn Hammerschmidt (Senior), Reise Thomas (Senior), Makensea Bittner (Senior), Madison Giebel (Senior), Lilly Kamenash (Junior), Izzy Luli (Junior), Morgan Giebel (Sophomore), Sophia Byers (Sophomore).
Position outlook:
Infield: Reise Thomas, senior and University of Charleston WV commit will be our leader on the infield. Her experience, speed and knowledge of the game allows her to lead at middle infield. She led the teams in hits last season with 30. Kaitlyn Hammerschmidt (Senior) and Izzy Luli (junior) will be at the corners. Both have great arms and are interchangeable as the team needs. Sophia Byers (Sophomore) will see time at second base. Her range adds coverage on the right side. Cheyenne Cutright (Freshman) will see time at shortstop. Her speed and arm strength will anchor the middle infield.
Outfield: Katie Sisley (Senior) will lead the outfield when she is not on the mound. Her speed allows her to cover a lot of ground. Morgan Giebel (Sophomore) will be in the outfield as well. She has a strong arm and is quick to cover ground. Sophia Byers and Cheyenne Cutright will see time in the outfield as well.
Catcher: Lilly Kamenash, Junior, who is committed to Kent State, will be behind the plate. She is quick, has a great arm, and commands the field well. She led the team in batting average last season .475.
Pitching staff: Katie Sisley (senior) is back to lead in the circle. She threw 59.2 innings last season with 60 strikeouts. She is a great leader from the mound. Cheyenne Cutright will be joining the pitching rotation. As a freshman, she has great control of her pitches and will see many innings from the mound. Makensea Bittner (Senior) has some varsity pitching experience which will benefit the team. She throws a variety of pitches and is ready to take a more consistent role.
Season outlook / expectations: “Our team is going to be competitive every game. We have a solid group of returners to lead us on the field. They have stepped into their roles and have shown the underclassman the traditions of our program,” said Byers. “Being part of the new league with great competition is exciting and we look to be at the top of it. Translating our success into the post season is a continuing goal as we want to make a deeper run.”
