NTL SOFTBALL: SAYRE LOOKING FOR IMPROVEMENT IN 2026 (March 21, 2026)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
SAYRE — Sayre returns a great deal of experience from a three-win season in 2025, and is looking for improvements in 2026.

Sayre coach Matt Senese has modest goals for the program in 2026.

"As with any season, the standard is to get to .500," he said. "Our work is ahead of us and these girls seem ready for the challenge."

Senese is hoping hard work and toughness will help the team reach its goals.

"Plenty of hustle with a solid defense that will help us out tremendously," he said. "Limited mistakes, learning, rolling through the lineup while growing and working together as one unit, while also having fun creating lifelong memories.

"In typical Sayre fashion, these girls will not quit, regardless of whats happening on the field," noted Senese. 

"I have no doubts they will do what is asked of them in any situation," added Senese. "I love the grit the girls bring, and we have some speed and some power in our bats."

Senior Mikyah Brown will anchor the infield at catcher, with freshman Allia Bennett and junior Jade Roberts splitting time at first base and the flex position, sophomore Olivia Homer at second base, senior Rylee Lantz at shorts top and, sophomore McKenna Parrish at third base.

Sophomore Emily Strickland will man centerfield and also see time at the flex position, while senior Olivia Thompson will play left field and senior Amaya Southworth will play right field.

Junior Zoe Ward will handle the majority of the pitching duties for the Redskins.

Senese expects most of his returning players to step into bigger roles this season.

"Quite a few of our returners will be in bigger roles as we are going to have to do some creative shuffling," he said. 

"Olivia (Thompson), Rylee (Lantz), and Mikyah (Brown) will be shouldering a lot of the load," he said.

"Zoe Ward will be taking the mound for the most part, with sophomore Emily Strickland and freshman Afftyn VanDuzer helping out with the pitching duties.

"Olivia Homer will be taking on a much bigger roles and  Jade Roberts will also see a larger role as well this year.

"We're going to have to move some of the seniors to positions that they have been working on, and they most certainly will be leading the way," added Senese.

Freshman Bella Stamile, and Afftyn VanDuzer, will join Bennett as freshmen contributors.

"Our freshman — Allia, Afftyn and Bella — will see some time on both sides of the ball this year," said Senese. "From what I have seen they certainly are up for the task."

Southward is also a newcomer, but has been a part of the program in the past.

"Amaya is a senior who decided to come back out and share her senior year with us as part of the team," said Senese.

With players at new positions, Senese is expecting some bumps in the road.

"With moving some girls around, I expect some growing pains and we will have our mistakes," he said. "The key will be how fast we learn and put the mistakes behind us."

Sayre opens the season Saturday afternoon at Canton.

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