Hart has built itself into a consistent force on the softball diamond in the 2020s, bringing home five consecutive district championships. The Pirates are 2-2 on the young 2026 season after sweeping Whitehall and dropping two games to Spring Lake, but hopes are again high for a great spring.
One challenge coach Dean DeVries is facing is a slightly smaller roster in numbers. He said the team has about a dozen players, with five of them new to varsity softball.
“We will have a learning curve, but I am confident that we can handle those challenges,” DeVries said.
It helps that Hart has several core players back from last season’s championship squad. Makenna Carrier and Leah Walker, both seniors, lead at infield positions, with Carrier at catcher and Walker at first base. Juniors Reese Smith and Caydence Bateson also return at pitcher and shortstop respectively, and senior Maria Rodriguez put in a big offseason of work and is set to get plenty of playing time in the infield.
Hart has also brought in two freshmen, Sydney Bateson and Elyssa Tanis, to contribute to the team. Both have obvious athletic gifts - Sydney is Caydence’s sister and Tanis, daughter of Hart football coach Joe Tanis, competed for the Pirates’ wrestling team this winter - and could make an early impact.
The Pirates have the benefit of being tested by two of the best programs in the area within the West Michigan Conference Rivers - Holton and Ravenna. Both again had outstanding seasons in 2025, with Ravenna reaching the semifinals in Division 3 and Holton going to the quarterfinals in Division 4. North Muskegon is often a tough out as well, and of course the rivalry matchup with Shelby is a highlight of any Pirate schedule.
Hart is also playing some challenging non-league foes, including a few from the WMC Lakes as the Pirates prepare to move up to that division in the 2027 season. Larger schools like Spring Lake, Ludington, Comstock Park, Fruitport and Oakridge dot the Hart schedule, though the Pirates will also play some smaller schools such as local foe Pentwater, Onekama and Pine River.
“(Many) of those teams have consistent, strong pitching that will prepare us well for the postseason,” DeVries said. “We are still focused on daily and continued growth each day to work towards being the best versions of ourselves at the end of the season. I am looking forward to our challenges that await us.”
