Softball is a year-round passion for Champion pitcher Sophie Howell

August 7, 2019 at 12:00a.m.

After a busy soft- ball season that includes a third state championship, Champion pitcher Sophie Howell is ready for something new.

This week (her first of the summer not practicing nor playing in a softball tournament), she’s on vacation in Florida.

Her goal is to try to stand on a surfboard.

“I’m going to learn,” Howell said, admitting she’s never surfed. “I’m excited, I’m going to go surfing.”

Last week, Howell was in Salem, Va., where her travel softball team SEmD Ohio Lasers — was competing in its sixth tournament of the summer.

For Howell, softball is a year-round sport. She’ll play in a few travel tournaments in the fall then start preparations for her senior season at Champion. It should be an exciting one.

Howell and four classmates — Allison Smith, Abbi Grace, Savannah Dodrill, Hannah Gresch — will be seeking their fourth state title in as many seasons.

In the past nine seasons, Champion has won six Division III crowns (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019).

Howell verbally committed to Youngstown State University as a sophomore.

“I really like [YSU], it’s really close to home,” Howell said. “One of my best friends on my travel team [Sydney Payne of Pittsburgh] is going with me.

“It’s nice that my parents can come watch me play.”

She’s undecided on a major.

Howell was a utility player her freshman season. After ace pitcher McKenzie Zigmont graduated in 2017, Howell went to the mound where she alternates with Smith (an Ohio State commit) every other game.

Some aces might not be comfortable sharing pitching opportunities and reduced chances for wins. Howell is fine with Coach Cheryl Weaver’s setup.

“It’s really nice having another pitcher,” Howell said of Smith. “I can switch every game with and I can rely on her, that she has my back if I do bad.”

That happens rarely. Smith went 16-0 this past season while Howell was 14-2.

Neither allowed a run during six tournament games where the Golden Flashes outscored their opponents, 62-0. The only close game was a 3-0 victory over Northwestern on May 25 in Massillon in the regional final.

“They have two different styles, they work in two different ways,” teammate Gabby Hollenbaugh said after the regional final win in Massillon. “Allison has that really good riseball and Sophie always comes together and gets it done.”

Howell said the difference between them is that “Allison moves the ball well but has a lot of speed. I’m definitely more of a movement pitcher than her.”

She credits Ed Deavers for her style.

“My pitching coach is more focused on mechanics and movement of the ball over speed,” Howell said,

“I’ve always been happy with Champion, I think it works out well with both of us switching games,” Howell said.” Neither one of us will get over-pitched. It’s just nice having another person there.“

Howell played basketball then gave it up to concentrate year-round on softball.

She said it wasn’t hard to give it up.

“I knew that softball was my passion and I just wanted to stick with that,” she said.

Her travel team is based in Columbus, but the players are so talented they rarely come together to practice.

“We actually don’t practice that often,” Howell said. “We have known each other for a while, played together a lot, so we just work on our own and then come to the tournament.

“And do well.”