Staff file photo / Brian Yauger Chalker pitcher Tatum Hudak fires a pitch during the Wildcats’ regional semifinal matchup against Mathews last season

With the 2026 softball season fast approaching, the Chalker Wildcats aim to make this the first time in 25 years they repeat as district champions.

Coming off their second district crown in three years, the Wildcats return some of their anchor players, headlined by the pitcher-catcher duo of Tatum Hudak and Baldwin Wallace commit Abby Grimm.

While some key losses will need to be replaced this season, having stability in the battery will be essential for Chalker.

“It’s comforting to know they’ve been through this for years,” Wildcats coach Rich Hudak said. “We can lean on them, the team can lean on them, but also at the same point they can lean on their team, they can trust in their team, so they can do what they need to do. That’s huge for us.”

Everyone from Chalker’s district runner-up basketball team is moving with the changes of the seasons and will now suit up for the softball program this season.

The group was cohesive on the basketball court, so expect to see the same chemistry when the softball season begins.

“A majority of our softball team all played basketball, and they had a successful year there. They stayed healthy,” Hudak said. They’re a great team together, so that’s huge for us. That’s huge for any team, right? They’re a very close-knit group, and that shows on the court, on the field, so that helps. That growth right there has been huge. We look to continue that on the field, just looking to continue getting better every single day and go from there.”

In addition to anchoring the team, Grimm and Hudak also return as the Wildcats’ top bats. Hudak hit .550 last season, and Grimm hit .527. Each hit three home runs. Sophomore Riley Ashcraft, who hit .519 as a freshman, also returns. Expect to see Ashcraft at shortstop and in the circle when needed.

Sophomore Katelyn Cook, who missed all of last season with an injury, is expected to slot in at second base this year, with Julia Ross handling duties at first. Bailey Ann Bussey returns at third base.

The outfield is going to require a bit of a makeover, but Chalker has the pieces to fill the holes in its lineup.

Alaynah Cox played in left field last season and is expected to return to the same role this season. Kylie Fussleman and Aubree Grimm are in the mix for the final two outfield spots, but Hudak said the younger Grimm is capable of fitting just about anywhere in the lineup.

The Wildcats have a challenging schedule ahead with teams like Poland and Garfield on the slate. While one of the favorites to win the NAC, teams like Maplewood and Pymatuning Valley won’t make it easy.

The advantage Chalker has over those teams is its experience on the regional stage. Hudak hopes they can use that experience to their advantage as the ups and downs of the softball season take their toll.

“What we continually need to do is just lean on that experience we’ve had, and hopefully with that comes some comfort and knowing what to expect,” Hudak said. “Then we have to prepare for that. Not only as players, but as coaches as well too. Just getting them to that comfort level of knowing what to expect and kind of how to prepare and when to compare and whatnot. Those are the keys for us.”

The Wildcats open their season on March 28 with a road game against Western Reserve. First pitch is set for 10 a.m.