Dublin Jerome Softball Faces Early Setbacks, But the Future Looks Bright

Dublin — The Dublin Jerome Lady Celtics softball team is embarking on a journey defined by youth and potential. With a roster featuring seven sophomores and freshmen, the program is navigating the complexities of growth and development, seeking the right formula to unlock its promise.

“It is a new season and we are a young team trying to figure it out,” Jerome Head Coach Maggie Cremeans says. “I’m really excited about the potential that we have.”

The season opener against Jonathan Alder on Saturday proved challenging for the young squad. Senior Olivia Shon delivered a standout performance, going 3-for-3 at the plate, and junior Haydyn Stoner contributed with an RBI single, there were bright moments amid the struggle. Freshman Adella Pawlowski also scored after stealing home.

Despite flashes of promise, the Lady Celtics’ pitching struggled to start 2025, allowing nine walks and not recording a strikeout. Fielding a pitching staff composed of a freshman and two sophomores, Cremeans acknowledged the ongoing development process. “We are still working out kinks and figuring out the rotation,” she said. “We have a young pitching staff.”

However, Cremeans says that the pitching staff is one of her most anticipated things on the team, “I’m excited to see how they can work together, we don’t have that one ace pitcher on the staff,” she said. “How they work off each other and mesh together is going to be key.”

The Lady Celtics defense committed seven errors, adding to the struggles against Jonathan Alder’s offense. Jerome is in a stage of figuring out how the pieces will fit together, and that was reflected on Saturday, “Some of them are still learning signs and getting used to the coaches,” Cremeans explained. “I’m not too concerned at all. Right now, we are experimenting with what works best.”

Regardless, Cremeans couldn’t contain her excitement about the future and the potential the program has across the board, “When you have freshmen come in who are already ready to play at varsity level, you get excited about what you can grow,” she says. “I get glimpses of all of them that I get to see.”

Dublin Jerome (0-1) hosts Big Walnut on April 1st in Dublin at 5:15 PM.