Spring is here, and that means so is high school softball! This article marks the first of two season previews for the upcoming 2025 campaign. First, we have team previews and outlooks from all six West Michigan Conference Lakes squads for the new year.
Last season, we saw Oakridge winning the division convincingly with an undefeated Lakes record of 10-0. Whitehall followed with an 8-2 record, with the lone two losses coming against the Eagles. Fremont and Montague finished in 3rd and 4th place and will look to compete, as both squads have reloaded to fight for the illustrious first-place finish.
Lots of all-around players are returning to the conference this season, as well as many departures. Below, we dig into each team and provide players to look out for, as well as strengths all six teams offer.
Oakridge Eagles
The league winner last season returns with many of its key players after finishing 32-10 and making a deep run to the state quarterfinals, beating Spring Lake, Fruitport, GRCC, and Allendale along the way. It was the 2024 Division Two state champions that knocked the Eagles out 18-1 and ended a storybook season for Oakridge. Skipper Joe Coletta returns for the 2025 season for yet another year at the helm after being re-hired in 2022. Senior Kylee Willea returns as the team’s ace of the pitching staff. In the regional final last season, Willea pitched seven innings and earned the win. Kelcey Osborne returns to the team after being named as a first-team all-conference P/UT player last season as a freshman. Gracie Willea is also back after earning all-conference first-team honors in the outfield. Catcher Maddy Bowen and outfielder Rylee Vanderputte also return for their senior year after notching honorable mention accolades in 2024. Through their first two games, the Eagles sit with a (2-0, 0-0) record after a sweep over Mona Shores last Tuesday.
Whitehall Vikings
The Vikings return to the diamond in 2025 with three first-team all-conference players back for their senior seasons. After winning the season opener against Hart last season, Whitehall went on a nine-game losing streak heading into the rivalry doubleheader against Montague. They ended the month of April winning six of eight games and put themselves right in the running to finish as a top team in the WMC. The Vikings ended the season with an overall record of 19-18-1 and a conference record of 8-2. Now in 2025, with ace Megan LeaTrea returning to the staff, first baseman Bella Fogus, and C/OF Annabel Kevwitch. LeaTrea accounted for just over 150 innings pitched last season and recorded 127 punchouts. Fogus and Kevwitch both hit well above .400 and combined for five homers. Other notable pieces on this Whitehall squad include third baseman Janie Fagan and centerfielder Lianne Fagan. Manager Kyle McGrew returns for his second season managing the team.
Fremont Packers
After a sub-.500 season in 2024, Fremont will look to rebound in 2025. In the district round of the playoffs, the Packers fell victim to a tough Sparta team, 8-2. They will enter the new season with a few key players missing due to graduation. Savannah Hall, Rainee Dey-Rayl, and Hanna Melo all hit north of .333 a season ago and will be big holes to fill on the Fremont lineup card. Some bright spots return, however, including senior standout Maddie Baden, who played third base for the team last season. Baden hit .405 with nine doubles and a team-leading 36 RBIs. Sophomore Kenzie Homrich will be the team’s number one starter this spring. In 128 innings pitched, Homrich recorded a W-L record of 12-7 and an ERA just barely over four. Izebel Austin and Kayden Bulk also return to the lineup with hopes of breakout seasons. Jeff Foster returns as the Packers’ manager in 2025.
Montague Wildcats
Montague dropped some key games down the stretch last season, including two to its rival, Whitehall. After ending the regular season losing seven of their previous nine games, the Wildcats came into the district round and fell in a barnburner to Kent City, 5-3. Though minimal departures in the off-season offer Montague a chance to redeem themselves with a much-improved regular season and hopes of a deep playoff run. Two first-team all-conference players return in juniors Reagan Cederquist and Kayden Johnson. Cederquist pitched over 50 innings last season and struck out 42 batters. She also hit .322 with seven doubles and one homer while driving in 27 RBIs. Johnson finished second in BA behind her sister, Kennedy, who graduated last year. She posted seven doubles and four triples to go with her .422 batting average. Senior Greta Auch will also be a key piece in the lineup after her all-conference honorable mention season. Other main pieces include junior Gentry Knop, senior Hayden Boutell, and senior Sophia Beishuizen.
Orchard View Cardinals
The Cards finished near the bottom of the Lakes division last year with a record of (9-21, 2-8). One of the best returning pieces is second baseman Eliana Jennings. The senior hit .367 with 27 singles and knocked in 12 RBIs. Last season, Orchard View fell to Oakridge in the first round of the district playoffs with a 15-0 dime against Oakridge. The Cardinals were projected to begin their season with a game against Kent City, but it was soon canceled. They are now set to play Muskegon in their season opener on April 15th. The district and conference will remain tough, having Oakridge and Whitehall in both.
Ludington Orioles
After a brutal 2024, the Orioles turn over the new season this spring. Ludington finished last season winless in the West Michigan Conference and had just one first-teamer and one honorable mention. Jody Meisenheimer is gone after earning the first-team accolade, and she leaves behind a spot at shortstop, outfield, and in the pitching circle, as she was an all-around player for them. Maddie Enbody, however, returns for her senior season after picking up honorable mention honors a year ago. The first baseman is projected to be a big threat with the bat this spring. The Orioles’ season started last Friday with two blowout losses to a good Coopersville squad. Kaelyn Cole and Enbody each recorded a hit in the doubleheader. Ludington is now set to host Mason County Central on Tuesday.
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