The Pleasantville softball team finished the 2019 season as the #6-ranked team in Class 2A, despite not earning a state tournament berth. The Trojans finished 25-12 overall and 16-4 in their first season in the West Central Activities Conference. Pleasantville played consistently well throughout the year, never losing more than two games in a row. Despite the relative success, the Trojans were bounced early in the postseason, a 4-2 home loss to Pella Christian in the regional quarterfinal round.

Pleasantville now has their sights set on what could be an even better season. The Trojans will return all but four players from last year’s roster under veteran coach Jan Haugen. Four of the top five players by batting average return to this year’s team. That includes last season’s batting champion, Makenzie McGriff, who enters her senior season. She was the lone Trojan with an average above .500, boasting a .504 average. McGriff was also second on the team with 38 runs batted in. Josie Sowers had the second best average last year, batting .496, and led the team with 62 hits. Sowers also proved to be dangerous along the basepaths, swiping 16 bases on the season, by far a team-high. With those two leading the way and a plethora of depth behind, this year’s team could be an offensive juggernaut.

Defensively, plenty of infield talent is expected to return. In the circle, last year’s top talent is gone, after the graduation of Abby DeJoode. Faith Vanderhart was DeJoode’s understudy last season, and started 15 games of her own. In 68 ⅔ innings pitched last year, she gave up 95 hits and 31 walks, while striking out 51 batters. She’ll return as a junior this season and try to pick up where DeJoode left off as a reliable and talented everyday starter.

Pleasantville would open the season on June 2nd against Ealham if the current schedule holds up. A decision on the status of summer sports is expected to be announced by the end of May.