MOUNT VERNON — Winning seems to be a way of life for Ryan Pentz and his Mount Vernon girls softball team.
Just two weeks after finishing as Division II state runner-up in the OHSAA tournament, underclassmen on the team went undefeated in the Girls Underclassmen tournament earlier this week at Pickerington Central High School.
“We won all three games,” Pentz said.
“Many of the players are here because there are college coaches that attend this tournament. Most college coaches do not attend high school games so if a player does not participate in a travelling summer league, the opportunity to be seen by college coaches is greatly diminished.”
A total of 20 players are selected for each team, two players at each position with the exception of pitchers and catchers where three players for those positions are selected. all positions are rotated every two innings.
Pentz coached the Central Division and Knox County was well represented with Mount Vernon’s Joceyln Scarbury, Keely Pollard and Layla Joiner on the roster. All-star sisters, Jazzy and Abbey Wittman from Fredericktown completed the Knox County contingent.
Pentz said he believes there are three primary reasons players who are selected elect to play.
“They have had a great season, their coach encourages them and the college representatives (get to see them play),” Pentz said.
Since the seniors have their own all-star game, they are not eligible to play in the underclass tournament.
As he prepares to take a short period of time away from the diamond, Pentz looked back over the record setting season.
“It has been the most challenging and yet most rewarding of my career and that has little to do with wins and losses,” Pentz said.
The coach emphasized life lessons were learned by all of his players.
“They all have black t-shirts with ‘female athlete’ in white lettering,” he said. “The ‘female’ is crossed out.
“These girls are as good as any boy and that is THE lesson I want them to carry in every aspect of life.”