The Mohawk Mountaineers women's softball program are excited to make three additions to the upcoming roster, including the return of outfielder Shelby Hayward. Joining the roster as well are catcher Brooke Cressman and first baseman Ella Busch.
After a tough season on the field that followed with a coaching change, the new Mohawk staff has now made a total of five new additions to the roster looking ahead to the 2023 season.
Head coach Chris McColl was ecstatic when making the announcement of adding Hayward, Cressman and Busch.
"The three additions just solidify us defensively," McColl said. "There are a couple of big bats in there that'll help us, so the entire roster is shaping up to be very solid."
Hayward, from Hamilton, ON, rejoins the Mountaineers after playing for the softball program for three seasons, including 2017 when the team won an OCAA bronze. During the three years, Hayward racked up numerous individual awards; including 2017 OCAA Rookie of the Year, 2019 OCAA Batting Champion and league all-star three times between 2017-2019.
"Shelby's track record speaks for itself," said McColl. "She's got a history from her prior Mohawk days of her athletic abilities and her abilities as a hitter."
Hayward, a center fielder, prior to her first stint with Mohawk graduated from Ancaster High Secondary and played club ball with the Oakville Angels.
During her earlier seasons at Mohawk, Hayward stitched herself amongst many Mountaineer records. She holds single-season records with 23 runs scored, 38 total hits and a .542 on-base percentage. She is also tied with the single-season records for doubles with six, triples with seven - something she accomplished in all three of her seasons – and tied with three home runs.
Amongst Mountaineer career records, Hayward leads the way with 70 games played, 65 runs scored, 105 hits, 13 doubles, 21 triples, five home runs, 42 runs batted in and a .474 on-base percentage.
Cressman joins Mohawk after attending Huron Park Secondary in Woodstock, ON and playing club-level with Nepean, winning the Eastern Canadian title in 2018. She fills a key role with the Mountaineers, adding to the catching depth alongside Michaela Walker.
"Brooke comes to us with lots of rave reviews," McColl said. "She's a good athlete and gives us another second quality catcher that's really going to help us."
Busch, initially from Orton, ON, will add to the infield depth and provide a bat that will significantly improve the Mohawk offense. She attended John F. Ross Secondary in Guelph, ON and played club for the Toronto Fastpitch Club.
"Ella is an incredible first baseman with really soft hands," said McColl. "Offensively, she will help us as well."
Entering Mohawk in September 2023, Hayward will enroll into the Massage Therapy program, Cressman will study Pre-Technology and Busch will be studying Small Business Management.
