After finishing 10-15 overall and placing third in the Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division last season, the Geneva Eagles enter the 2026 campaign looking to take a step forward with a mix of veteran leadership and promising newcomers.<\/p>\n
Head coach Eleshia Pitcher returns six starters and seven lettermen from last year\u2019s team, including a group of seniors who have helped establish the tone early in the preseason.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see this season being very exciting and a lot of fun,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cI return four seniors who are very determined and doing a great job guiding the underclassmen the entire time, cracking jokes and making everyone laugh around them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those returning players provide Geneva with valuable experience, while a group of freshmen is expected to immediately contribute.<\/p>\n
\u201cI return seven lettermen from last year, all who have worked very hard in the offseason to get better,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cWe have also added four freshmen who are very eager to take the field and fill some huge holes we had last year. We have added some pitching and catching depth and strengthened our outfield. I think once we put it all together, this team will do very well.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Eagles believe one of their biggest advantages this spring will be the way the roster plays for one another.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur team chemistry and how they always pick each other up and help each other out,\u201d Pitcher said.<\/p>\n
At the same time, Geneva knows there are areas that must improve if the Eagles want to climb the standings this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just need to keep building confidence,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cWe need to communicate better and not second-guess ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
If Geneva can accomplish that, the Eagles believe the results will follow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to get over our nerves and believe we can win,\u201d Pitcher said.<\/p>\n
Experienced Leaders Anchor the Lineup<\/p>\n
Senior catcher Addelynn Sheppard will again be a key presence behind the plate after earning Second Team All-County honors, CVC Honorable Mention, and the team\u2019s Golden Glove Award last season. Sheppard hit .219 with a .342 on-base percentage and posted a .988 fielding percentage while leading the defense.<\/p>\n
\u201cAddie brings a spark to the team with her never-give-up attitude,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cShe has worked really hard on her hitting this winter and is always solid behind the plate. She recently committed to Mount Union to continue her softball career.\u201d<\/p>\n
Senior second baseman Gianna Markijohn also returns as one of the Eagles\u2019 most consistent players after batting .351 with a .385 on-base percentage last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cGianna is one of the most solid second basemen I have seen and is a tough out at the plate,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cHer attitude and effort inspires everyone around her to never give up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Junior shortstop Caidyn Siegel was Geneva\u2019s most productive hitter in 2025, batting .481 with a .539 on-base percentage and 14 stolen bases while earning Second Team All-CVC infield honors and Third Team News-Herald recognition.<\/p>\n
\u201cCaidyn is one of the most determined players I have seen,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cShe is a very tough out at the plate, and her pitching has improved immensely over the past year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Junior Cora Brace returns at first base after hitting .276 with a .417 on-base percentage last season.<\/p>\n
\u201cCora returns for a second year at first base with a very solid glove and also swings a great bat,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cCora always gives 110 percent, and failing isn\u2019t an option for her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Strength in the Outfield<\/p>\n
Senior Claire Cafaro highlights the Eagles\u2019 outfield after batting .390 with a .453 on-base percentage and stealing 15 bases last season. She also posted a .961 fielding percentage while earning First Team All-County and Second Team All-CVC honors.<\/p>\n
\u201cClaire\u2019s attitude and effort are unmatched this year,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cShe is always pushing everyone around her to be the best they can. She is one of the best outfielders I have had come through my program. She makes catches that most would not get to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Senior Kailyn Cerjan, last year\u2019s team MVP, will again play a key role in left field after hitting .240.<\/p>\n
\u201cKailyn just keeps getting better,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cShe has proved herself to be one of our team leaders. She always leads by example, is working hard, and pushing everyone around her to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Freshman Alyvia DeGroodt is expected to step into the lineup in right field.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlyvia fills the missing piece we had in our outfield,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cShe has a great glove and will also provide some power to our lineup.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fresh Faces Join the Infield<\/p>\n
Freshman Ella Walker is projected to start at third base while also serving as the team\u2019s backup catcher.<\/p>\n
\u201cElla, who is also our backup catcher, is new to third base, but she has embraced it and is learning it very quickly,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cShe also brings some power to our lineup.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pitching Depth Adds Options<\/p>\n
Geneva will feature multiple options in the circle this season, led by freshman Morgan Hunt, who is expected to take on a significant role.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am very excited to have Morgan on the mound and in my lineup this year,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cShe is the entire package and has worked very hard to get where she is today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Siegel will also contribute as a pitcher after posting a 4.785 ERA last season.<\/p>\n
\u201cCaidyn\u2019s pitching has improved so much since last year,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cI am excited to see what she can do this year. She only sits at No. 2 because she\u2019s hard to take off of short.\u201d<\/p>\n
Freshman Sophie Acord provides another young arm for the Eagles.<\/p>\n
\u201cSophie is one of our four freshmen and is working very hard to improve her mental game,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cI look for great things from her this season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Markijohn can also take the circle when needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cGianna brings a different speed and pitches to the mound,\u201d Pitcher said. \u201cWe only use her if we absolutely have to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Outlook<\/p>\n
With a strong senior class, productive returning hitters, and a talented group of freshmen stepping into key roles, Geneva hopes its improved depth and team chemistry will translate into success this spring. If the Eagles can develop confidence early and play with the belief their coach is emphasizing, they could quickly become a dangerous team in the CVC Lake Division.<\/p>\n
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