Reading softball senior trio ends postseason run in regional semifinals

HILLSDALE COUNTY Three seniors, four district softball championships.

There were a lot of players and senior classes over the past few years that make that run possible for Reading varsity softball, but the 2025 class of seniors were a part of each step of success the program has achieved up to this point.More: Reading baseball's playoff run ends in regional semifinal loss to Petersburg SummerfieldThat fourth straight district title run included an 8-5 win over Concord and a 16-5 win over Camden-Frontier.

The team had to travel to Morenci to take on Petersburg Summerfield in a regional semifinal matchup.

The semifinal would mark the end of the postseason run for the Rangers and the athletic careers for Aubree Ervans, Ariana McDowell and Maggie Santure.

The Rangers fell 10-0 to the Summerfield Bulldogs.

McDowell, who got the district win, started in the circle, striking out one.

Santure had the lone triple-base hit of the game for the Rangers.

It was a tough end to a season filled with comebacks and impressive performances from the senior trio.

The trio have been competing in multiple sports for the Rangers since their freshman year.

The seniors won a second district title in the basketball court earlier this winter.

The accomplished group were responsible for helping get eight freshman players up to speed for coaches Melissa Hamisfar and Morgan Calver.

The big thing with the three seniors was that when starting at Reading, Morgan and I both, they were our first little kids, coach Hamisfar said.

I think they were nine when we first started coaching them.

It just makes it so special to be able to grow with them and them with us.

Theyre great athletes and great kids.

Theres nothing more rounded you can say about those girls.

Theyre just good people and a good representation of our school...Making the most of a shortened final seasonIt was an even tougher end to an athletic career that featured many standout moments for senior Ariana McDowell.

McDowell's 2024 campaign as the Rangers' ace earned her runner-up player of the year honors.

The multi-year dream team honoree and all-conference honoree hyper extended her leg during the basketball season, and there was a chance the senior might have missed her final season with her team.

More: Seniors lead standout efforts in Reading baseball and softball district title victoriesThat reality took a mental toll that she would have to battle through making her way back out on the field.It was mentally hard, McDowell said.

It was a mental block, pitching-wise.

Its my planting leg, so I was really doubting myself toward coming back, and I even talked to coach about not playing because I was just so scared of getting hurt again.

But, once I came back and got my brace and got back into the groove, I was okay.While the team worked together to replace her production where they could, it still wasn't the same without their ace in the circle.

I was hard during practice.

Even when I wasnt playing, I would still help the girls, especially the newer girls (all of the freshman) because I knew what coach wants.

It made me feel more a part of the team even when I wasnt playing.

At games.

I was cheering them on.

Then I was able to finally come back and still be that friend, good teammate and leader on the field.Later in May, the senior made her way back to the field, but it was a struggle for the senior who was used to working all winter long to prepare for the physical toll of pitching 100-plus innings a week.

I just wanted her back, coach Hamisfar said.

I think the big thing, and I tried to tell her too, was even if you cant pitch, just you being on the team and being a part of the team is way more strides.

You know, if we had to take our lumps on the mound, thats what we would have done.

But just to have her back as an athlete and the love of the game she has, I would have taken it either way.The senior started in eight games, including the district title win where she struck out four batters.

The senior had more than 23 strikeouts through those eight games, earning three wins.

The senior made an impact in other areas of the game.

In the batter's box, McDowell had four hits, including two doubles and two RBIs during the district title game and two hits and two runs in the district semifinals.

The senior had a total of 25 hits this season, 21 runs and 10 RBIs.

She will be going to Jackson College to study general sonography."I want to thank my teammates Aubree and Maggie for being there all throughout these four years for every sport and just being very supportive throughout my injuries, McDowell said.

(I want to thank) the coaches for believing in me when I didnt believe in myself.

I thank my parents for all of their commitment to my sports and the school for being a good support system.Senior Aubree Ervans stepped up for the team this season in a Swiss-army-knife role.

Primarily playing at first base, Ervans stepped into multiple positions in the infield, wherever coach Hamisfar needed her to play, even at pitcher.

The senior had 14 strikeouts in the circle in five appearances."She said, 'I'll play wherever you need me', and, you know, that's the player you want," coach Hamisfar said.

"She has made more plays at shortstop than anyone has this year, and she's a lefty...

She will give everything she has.

She's even said, 'I'll pitch if you need me to pitch', and she hates pitching, but that's the kid she is."Ervans had a batting average of .529, an on-base percentage of .619, 39 hits, 24 RBIs and 39 runs this season.

This included more than 15 multi-base hits.

She stole more than 15 bases and had a fielding percentage above .900.

The senior will be headed to Spring Arbor to play for the women's basketball team.

Maggie Santure controlled the games behind the plate this year, but the athletic senior made an impact at multiple positions for the Rangers.

She was a team leader in most statistical categories this year.

She had a .403 batting average, 34 hits, 35 RBIs, 37 runs, 12 doubles, 5 triples five home runs.

In addition, Santure had 20-plus steals, 75-plus putouts and a fielding percentage above .950.

"She's one of the most athletic softball players I've had," coach Hamisfar said.

"She can play any position.

As much as I loved having her control the game behind the plate, her heart is at shortstop.

She plays both with everything she has."Ervans and McDowell earned all-conference honorable mention from the Big 8 this year.

Santure earned first team all-conference.

The Rangers finished 6-8 in the Big 8, and they finished the season with a 16-14 overall record.

The young Rangers return several playmakers next spring, led by sophomore pitcher Leah Headley.

Headley won eight games and had a winning record in the circle this year.

Headley had 70 strikeouts.

Freshman MaKenzey Penza had three home runs this year, the only other Ranger outside Santure to hit homers this season.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Three Reading softball seniors end athletic careers at regional semifinals.

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