on March 26, 2026

North Union’s varsity softball team is pictured from left, front row, Hazlee Hall, Kailin McElroy, Regan Fox, Leah Cox, Laela Caldwell, Karie Leiter and Chloe McElroy; second row, Tinlee Martino, Rylee Fox, Meleia Primavera, Jenna Berridge, Emma McElroyand Adalee Hunt; back row, head coach Dawn Draper, assistant coach Terry Setser, Kale Keigley, Josie Held, Kailyn Colegrove, assistant coach Steve Allen and assistant coach Logan Martino. Not pictured, Kennedy Harrah. (Gazette photo by Bob Putman)

Longtime coach returns as NU softball squad looks to compete in the CBC Mad River Division

By By Bob Putman, Richwood Gazette

The past of North Union softball is definitely connected to the present as the Lady Cats prepare for the 2026 season. Dawn Draper coached North Union for 22 years and last coached the team in 2021, She recorded 447 wins during that time and is a member of the Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Draper has returned to dugout and third base coaching box as the coach of the Lady Cats.

“The feeling to coach never goes away,” Draper said last August after being named as North Union’s coach. Draper welcomes nine returning letterwinners, including three seniors, to a team that was 11-13 overall in 2025.

Leading the returnees are seniors co-captain Kale Keigley, co-captain…

Read this entire article as it appeared in print in our eEdition

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