Staff file photo / Brian Yauger Champion senior Gabby Gradishar fires a pitch during last year’s contest against Austintown Fitch.

As the white snow gives way to green grass, it’s typically a telltale sign that spring is here.

At Champion High School, it often means that softball season is right around the corner.

Coming off a regional finals appearance last season, Cheryl Weaver and Champion have their sights set on writing another successful chapter for the storied program in 2025.

While the Flashes are young, with nine underclassmen on the roster, they’re experienced where it counts, in the circle.

Returning after a first-team all-state season, Penn State commit Gabby Gradishar is back for her senior year.

Gradishar is a stabilizing force for the Flashes as the younger players get comfortable at the varsity level.

“The first time during conditioning, when Gabby came in and those young ones were there, they were kind of in awe, and I just think that’s wonderful. They look up to her, and that’s what we need,” Weaver said. “We need a leader like her to show these girls this is how we do it, and how we work hard. It’s very encouraging, and I think these girls are excited to say they’ve played with Gabby.

“We’ve played a couple games at YSU, and I really like how they play together. I think a couple of them have impressed Gabby also.”

Unfortunately for Champion, they’ll miss one of their seniors this year in Addie Warzala. The catcher suffered an injury during basketball season and will miss the entirety of the softball campaign.

But there’s a silver lining for the Golden Flashes, Champion has two solid catching prospects waiting in the wings and have had a promising offseason. Freshmen Josie Perhach and Ava Sylvester will both see time this season behind the dish.

Ava Sylvester will also play quite a bit of third base when she’s not catching. Maddison Sylvester will split time between the outfield and second base, and Zoe Palette and Sam Strock are expected to return to their spots in the outfield.

Freshmen Jonna Strock and Adalyn McIntosh will be in the mix, pitching when Gradishar isn’t in the circle. McIntosh will also play first base and Strock will line up at shortstop.

If you thought the young lineup would stop Champion from scheduling a murderer’s row of opponents, you’re mistaken.

Weaver and the Flashes will line up against one of the area’s toughest slates this season, taking on Massillon Perry, Canfield, Walsh Jesuit and North Canton Hoover, along with a league slate that includes Ravenna Southeast, LaBrae and Crestview.

“It’ll be exciting to see how they do,” Weaver said. “But you know what? With having so many young ones, I want them to see those kinds of teams. I want them to see how they carry themselves, how they stay up, how they just follow that. Because there’s just something about watching the top teams, and I just hope the girls, they watch and they learn from it. Make everything a learning experience.”

Champion is set to open the season on Saturday at Geneva. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Early on, Weaver wants to see the right attitude from her girls. The softball season is a grind and it’s not easy, especially in a long season in a program where deep postseason runs are the norm. It’s going to be a challenge, and the right attitude could make all the difference.

“I want to see girls that enjoy being out there with each other and are nothing but encouragers,” Weaver said. “I want to see them having fun, but I do think these girls have that little bit of fire in them for that win. To never give up and to keep fighting. I hope that what I’m seeing is there and we’re that way out there on the ball field. If you’re giving 100% at practice and you’re giving 100% in the games, that’s all I can ask.

“But be a fighter. Don’t get down. I think that’s the biggest thing. When kids feel like they’re not hitting, or they make a couple errors, they get down, and it’s like, you know what? You got five seconds to be done with it. I hope they’ll be that way, because I think it will shock them at how much better they’ll play.”