The Fairfield Softball team opens its 43rd season on Monday, March 28, 2022, versus GMC rival the Mason Comets under the direction of veteran Head Coach, Brenda Stieger. Coach Stieger is the winningest coach in the history of female sports for Fairfield High School.
As she begins her 25th season at the helm of Indian Softball her teams have an overall record of 478 -175 (.723) and a Greater Miami conference record of 309 – 113 (.732) including 4 GMC titles—2nd most in the FHS Softball annals. The 15-2 win in the 2021 season opener vs. Sycamore marked GMC victory #300 of her career.
The 2021 season was a rebirth for all the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s spring sports which saw their seasons canceled due the Pandemic in 2020. Indian softball returned only three players who had any extensive Varsity experience.
The 2022 season’s roster features 8 players who played a prominent role in the Indians 13-12 (10-8, GMC) record. At the top of the lineup are two senior First Team All-GMC All-Stars, shortstop and lead-off hitter Jessi Mathews (.482) and right fielder, Brieley Proffitt (.467). Mathews led the team in average, home runs (6), runs batted in (28), triples (4), hits (40), and was second in doubles (9). Proffitt lead the team in stolen bases (14) in addition to being a defensive mainstay in right field.
Three-year starter at second base, Cara Stacy (Sr.) returns to solidify the Indians’ middle infield defense. Cara, proved to be a clutch hitter for the Indians, hitting at a .367 clip and tied for team high second in RBIs (22) and hits (29).
Brooke Miller, Autum Spears (INF/OF), and Madison Vanderbilt (OF) round out the 2022 Senior class for the Indians. Brooke (1B/P), saw limited varsity time in 2021 (.250. 1 HR) but will be a 2022 starter. Autum and Madison have been competing for playing time in this veteran lineup.
The Indians return a pair of underclassmen, who were 2nd Team All-GMC All-Stars, to the circle, Junior Ryleigh Peters (8-8, 4.49 era, 78 K’s) and Sophomore Jillian Huey (5-4, 2.46, 47 K’s). Both players also played in the field when not in the circle. Ryleigh (.377) was the team leader in doubles with 12, drove in 17 runs and had 3 HRs. Jillian averaged .338 for the season with 19 hits and driving in 7.
Junior, Kelsie Michaud returns behind the dish for the Indians. Kelsie (.266) proved to be a base stealing deterrent for the Indians’ opposition throwing out 6 runners and posting a .963 fielding pct.
Sophomore Karley Clark, a timely .269 hitter, who drove in 17 runs and showed pop in her bat clubbing 3 HRs. A versatile play, Karley can play nearly anywhere on the field as well as serving as the team’s DH.
Sophomores Leanna Lawson (INF/OF), Abby Leugers (P/INF), and Abby Stanfield (3B) and Freshmen Ava Hensley (CF) and Megan Spence (INF) round out the 2022 Varsity team. Only Abby Stanfield has had varsity experience, hitting .333 in 9 plate appearances, and driving in 4 runs. Ava Hensley will begin her Varsity career as the starting centerfielder for the Indians.
DYK: The Fairfield Softball Program has
- An overall record of 757-313 (.707), a GMC record of 452-169 (.728)
- Has won 12 GMC Fast Pitch Softball titles
- Monica Mitter started the program in 1979 with a win over McNicholas, 8-4. Ms. Mitter went on to become the first female principal of Fairfield High School.
- Current Head Coach, Brenda Stieger played for Coach Mitter.
- Fairfield Softball has had only 4 Head Coaches during its 43-year history—Coach Mitter (1979-1982), Bill Stewart (1983-1992), Kathy Stewart (1993-1996) and its current Head Coach Brenda Stieger (1997-).
- The 1991 team was Fairfield High School’s first girls’ sport team to advance to the Final Four of the OHSAA State Tournament
- The 1989 team is currently the only FHS softball team to complete the regular season, undefeated at 27-0.
- There have been 24 sets of sisters play (including Coach Stieger’s sister, Cathy and Assistant Coach Emily Breitholle and her sister, Mindy), 3 Aunt/Niece combination play, 2 sets of cousins, and a set of twins play softball for Fairfield.
- Current Fairfield Assistant Coaches, Emily Breitholle, Natalie Elliott, and Kayla Wooton all played for Coach Stieger.
- The Indians have a record of 77-11 versus Middletown and a 73-16 record vs. Princeton.
- The last loss Fairfield suffered to Princeton was an extra inning game in 1993, a winning streak that encompasses 56 consecutive games.
