Ohio Christian University softball: Trailblazers forge a path in a new direction
CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — Many Circleville residents may be unaware that Ohio Christian University plays competitive NAIA collegiate competition in their backyard, but that isn’t stopping head coach Jackie Huff and the Trailblazer softball team from wanting to put Roundtown on the map.
Needing a new direction, OCU brought in a softball coach that has a vision for success, the tenacity to see the team through it, and the ability to overcome adversity.
“I bring a very unique experience to coaching at Ohio Christian University. Not only am I an alumni but I also grew up in Circleville. I know what it’s like to be a student-athlete at OCU. I know what it’s like to come to a Christian school and have very little knowledge of the Bible,” says Huff.
Huff’s first objective after taking over the program two years ago was to scour the country looking for new talent and to make OCU Softball a national brand.
So that’s exactly what the 2013 Logan Elm graduate did.
Beyond Ohio, Huff traveled to California, Nevada, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, Michigan, and Florida for recruiting camps or showcases in an effort to find the right fit for her program and inject the team with new talent.
When looking for recruits Huff explains, “I always want to ensure that the potential student-athlete is not only a good fit for my program but also the institution.”
To find potential Trailblazers, the coaching staff evaluates players on academics, character qualities, athletic ability, personality, and their ability to deal with adversity.
On a young team such as the Trailblazers stand to be, dealing with adversity may be at the top of the list.
“Softball is a game of failure but my hope for this season is that we are learning from our failures and bouncing back stronger as the next game comes. We are very young this year—I will be going into the season with 14 on my roster with eight of those girls going into their first season as a Trailblazer. We expect our girls to show up to every game mentally ready for whatever comes their way,” says Huff.
The game is not always going to go their way as coach Huff understands better than most. Having lost her fiancée in a car accident in 2018, fighting through adversity is something she knows all too well. But she grew from it and hopes her message finds her players.
“I learned how important perseverance is—pushing through when you feel like giving up. Life is so precious and short, and our days here on Earth aren’t guaranteed. I try to instill living each day with joy to my team. Choosing joy is hard, but so is choosing sadness. Winning is hard but so is losing. Hitting 500 is hard but so is going 0 for 3 on the day. Being the best is hard; staying complacent with your talent is hard. Every day is a blessing to tackle the day and choose your hard.”
Huff’s first year at the helm as OCU’s head coach was cut short. Due to COVID-19 the team only played eight games.
Playing in the River States Conference, the Trailblazers are excited to see what the overhauled roster can do in the league and out of conference with a full schedule and fresh faces.
Incoming freshman Roxianne Herdman, Jobi Allen, and Abigail Young hope to make a difference right away.
Herdman graduated from Pickerington North High School. Slated to be a utility infielder with a high softball IQ, Herdman worked hard in the offseason at multiple positions which will help her meet her coach’s lofty expectations.
“Roxi will rotate positions in the infield this year. I’m excited to see her growth not only this year but in her four years with the program. Her softball IQ, attitude, and desire to grow her abilities will be what sets her above others.”
Fellow freshman Jobi Allen from Sacramento, California will also spend time at multiple positions in the infield for the Trailblazers squad, to include some time behind the plate. This is exactly where a coach would want a player that “…has one of the highest softball IQs that I have ever experienced” says Huff.
And coming in all the way from Germany is freshman Abigail Young. Scouted as a pitcher with good downward movement, the versatile and athletic freshman will also be vying for playing time at first base.
Huff describes her as, “… an extremely coachable athlete who is like a sponge soaking up all the information and feedback that we present to her.”
The hard work on the recruiting trail has also paid off for the Trailblazers coaching staff.
They have recently landed signees Emma Hastings, Kristin Gardner, and Lexi King which hope to make their way onto campus this fall.
Hastings (Center Line, Michigan) has the potential to be one of the best shortstops to date in program history according to Huff. Expected to bat at the top of the lineup as a freshman the Trailblazers are eager to add her speed on the bases and range up the middle on defense.
Gardner (Lewisburg, Ohio) hopes to add her craftiness to the mound for the OCU team. With a diverse array of pitches and an ability to keep hitters off-balance, she hopes to provide quality innings for Trailblazers pitching staff.
Rounding out the class of signees thus far in 2021 is Lexi King (Tremont City, Ohio).
“[Lexi] will be a huge compliment to the rest of our staff while being one of our higher velocity pitchers. Not only will Lexi produce on the mound, but we are extremely confident in her ability as a power hitter to generate runs for the program sitting in the middle of the lineup,” says Huff.
Heading into a season that should be full of growth for players and coaches alike, OCU and its hometown of Circleville, Ohio has plenty to look forward to in the upcoming seasons. The Trailblazers are carving out a new path and the direction is up.
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