After its first-ever regional win last year, expectations from the outside are sky-high for Reeths-Puffer in 2025, as shown by its preseason No. 8 ranking in Division 1.
Coach Sarah Bayle and her team, though, are trying to keep their focus on what's directly in front of them.
"We’re staying grounded by focusing on the process, not just the outcomes," Bayle said. "This is a special group of girls, both on and off the field. They’ve fully bought into our CHOP values: Community, Honor, Ownership, and Perseverance."
The Rockets lost three important senior starters, but most of the heavy hitters that drove last year's remarkable success are back. Mady Snyder, the first Rocket in decades to pick up all-state honors, is back as a utility player and pitcher after racking up a .407 batting average and 38 RBI a season ago, and so is the team's top hurler, junior Lainey McDaniel. McDaniel, who has committed to Ferris State, was outstanding throughout 2024 and particularly in the postseason. Her earned run average last year was 0.75, and she struck out 186 batters on her way to a 16-3 record. On top of that, she hit .538 at the plate with 56 hits.
Also back is Abbie Critchett, who like McDaniel was all-region in 2024. Critchett played second base last season but will move to shortstop this spring after Megan Barmes' graduation. Critchett was one of R-P's top power bats last year, driving in 45 runs and hitting three homers. First baseman Kyleigh Bilek brings experience and a .366 batting average and 15 doubles to the team.
Beefing up the lineup will be four sophomores, led by returning Tessa Ross. A freshman varsity catcher a year ago, she should be even better this season as she improves both offensively and defensively. Makenzie Jacobs, Madi Reichert and Olivia Ambler are ready for bigger roles, and they will bring speed and capable bats.
The Rockets are jumping into a gauntlet of an O-K Green Conference this season after splitting the league title with now-departed Zeeland West in 2024. Joining the league are Jenison, which is ranked No. 7 in the state preseason, and Byron Center, which is honorable mention and has won conference championships 10 seasons in a row. The Bulldogs in particular will surely seek to avenge R-P's regional win last June. Another highlight of the Rockets' schedule is perennial district foe Grand Haven.
There is clearly a lot in front of Reeths-Puffer this season, but Bayle said nothing the Rockets are after can happen if they don't focus on the right things.
"Our X-factor this year will be staying locked in on those core values and remembering to have fun," Bayle said. "We don’t want to take ourselves so seriously that we lose sight of what really matters—the inputs and the growth."
Coach Sarah Bayle and her team, though, are trying to keep their focus on what's directly in front of them.
"We’re staying grounded by focusing on the process, not just the outcomes," Bayle said. "This is a special group of girls, both on and off the field. They’ve fully bought into our CHOP values: Community, Honor, Ownership, and Perseverance."
The Rockets lost three important senior starters, but most of the heavy hitters that drove last year's remarkable success are back. Mady Snyder, the first Rocket in decades to pick up all-state honors, is back as a utility player and pitcher after racking up a .407 batting average and 38 RBI a season ago, and so is the team's top hurler, junior Lainey McDaniel. McDaniel, who has committed to Ferris State, was outstanding throughout 2024 and particularly in the postseason. Her earned run average last year was 0.75, and she struck out 186 batters on her way to a 16-3 record. On top of that, she hit .538 at the plate with 56 hits.
Also back is Abbie Critchett, who like McDaniel was all-region in 2024. Critchett played second base last season but will move to shortstop this spring after Megan Barmes' graduation. Critchett was one of R-P's top power bats last year, driving in 45 runs and hitting three homers. First baseman Kyleigh Bilek brings experience and a .366 batting average and 15 doubles to the team.
Beefing up the lineup will be four sophomores, led by returning Tessa Ross. A freshman varsity catcher a year ago, she should be even better this season as she improves both offensively and defensively. Makenzie Jacobs, Madi Reichert and Olivia Ambler are ready for bigger roles, and they will bring speed and capable bats.
The Rockets are jumping into a gauntlet of an O-K Green Conference this season after splitting the league title with now-departed Zeeland West in 2024. Joining the league are Jenison, which is ranked No. 7 in the state preseason, and Byron Center, which is honorable mention and has won conference championships 10 seasons in a row. The Bulldogs in particular will surely seek to avenge R-P's regional win last June. Another highlight of the Rockets' schedule is perennial district foe Grand Haven.
There is clearly a lot in front of Reeths-Puffer this season, but Bayle said nothing the Rockets are after can happen if they don't focus on the right things.
"Our X-factor this year will be staying locked in on those core values and remembering to have fun," Bayle said. "We don’t want to take ourselves so seriously that we lose sight of what really matters—the inputs and the growth."
