GREENVILLE – The Arcanum Lady Trojans and Greenville Lady Wave varsity softball teams took advantage of a sunny late afternoon to shake off early-season rust in a preseason scrimmage at Lady Wave Stadium.
With limited outdoor time due to a cold, wet spring, both teams used the outing as a valuable opportunity to gain reps and evaluate talent heading into the 2026 OHSAA fastpitch softball season.
“Just good stuff, kids playing, tripping, and learning, getting innings and reps,” said Greenville coach Jerrod Newland. “That’s a good program we played today, and just fun stuff.”
Greenville split its roster for the day, sending part of the squad to Minster while hosting Arcanum.
“Fun out here getting kids running around, tripping over their feet playing a little bit,” Newland added. “Weird today, with 13 here and 11 up in Minster. Split squad today, sending some young kids up there and playing freshmen and sophomores.”
For Arcanum, it marked just the third time outdoors this spring.
“This was our third day out,” said Lady Trojans coach Mike Morris. “I thought we would hit better, but we didn’t adjust, and that’s the first time you’re seeing probably the two best pitchers in the area — they’re both good.”
As expected in early spring, pitching proved to be ahead of hitting on both sides.
Arcanum junior Cam Garbig got the start in the circle and delivered solid innings to open the scrimmage, while Greenville countered with a strong one-two punch.
The Lady Wave featured sophomore standout and reigning MVL Player of the Year Ella Oswalt,
along with 2025 MVL First Team Lizzie Shaffer in the circle, both turning in impressive performances.
“Great job on the mound by two pitchers – Ella and Lizzie … lights out,” Newland said. “We’ll start hitting the ball a little bit and playing, but we just have to start playing.”
“We’re ahead of the game, pitching and catching right now,” he added. “That will keep us in a lot of ballgames.”
Despite early-season miscues, both teams showed flashes defensively.
Arcanum highlighted its day with two crisp 6-4-3 double plays.
“That’s what we did last year,” Morris said. “Sometimes they try to get a little too smooth, and I think that’s where we had that error, and another girl had a couple of errors. They are so smooth, and it’s going to be part of the game, but for the first night against Greenville, I was pretty pleased.”
“Defensively, we had some letdowns,” Morris added. “We have some girls that are trying to learn some positions, so I was pretty pleased going into the fifth inning.”
Both programs now turn their attention to opening week action.
Arcanum will host Talawanda in a Saturday doubleheader with games scheduled for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Greenville, meanwhile, is preparing for a full day of softball to kick off its season at home.
“It is fun and exciting times with new faces and places, and there will be a lot of kids getting opportunities,” Newland said. “We’ll find the pieces to play and can’t wait until Saturday, the opener, and a chance to start the season off on the right foot.”
The Lady Wave will host defending state champion Tri-Village — coming off a perfect 30-0 season — to open the day at noon.
“Saturday, two good programs coming in here, and a great day for Darke County softball,” Newland said. “Festive atmosphere and two varsity games for us and two JV games.”
Tri-Village will also face Cincinnati Oak Hills at 1:45 p.m., with Greenville closing out the day against Oak Hills at 3:30 p.m.
“It will be awesome out here Saturday, a lot of people talking,” said Newland. “It’s always awesome to open up, but it’s awesome to open up with three or four good teams here.”
As always, Newland has scheduled a demanding early slate.
“The first half is crazy,” he said. “It will be fun, a good opportunity, excited for the kids to compete.”
And, as with every spring, patience will be key.
“It is what it is, it’s March,” Newland said. “We’ll get better in March, it will be April for a couple of weeks, then I’ll bug you in May, and then hope we play in June. I’m just excited for the kids and opportunities.”
