By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer

Chris Reding is optimistic about achieving the goals he’s set for his second season as Medway High’s softball coach. 

“We want to qualify for the tourney,’’ said the 55-year-old Reding who’s a 1986 Medway High graduate. “We also want to go deep into the playoffs. Improving daily and contending for the Tri Valley League Small Division title are our other objectives. Dedham and Norton will be strong in our division because they’ve got tradition and they’re well-coached. But, we’ll be in the mix, too.’’

Last year in his first season at the helm, Reding enjoyed a fairly smooth transition, guiding his squad to a 10-9 record and a berth into the state tournament where it lost its opener to Bishop Stang, 4-3. 

A firm believer that familiarity breeds success, Reding said, “The girls know my style and what my expectations are, and there’s no doubt that the culture of the team is upbeat and spirited.’’ 

Another plus for Reding’s Mustangs, who open their season on April 3 at Sutton, is losing only three seniors to graduation. Of the nine returnees, five were starters last season.

Medway’s team strengths include athleticism, a high softball IQ, a coachable nature, depth and a dependable hitting attack. “We’re young but most of the girls have club experience,’’ he noted. “We’ll have only one senior, two juniors, six sophomores and there’ll be several freshmen who’ll contribute.’’

The Mustangs’ captains are senior third-baseman Olivia Basso and juniors Ava Fahey (pitcher) and Nina Pacella (centerfielder).

“Olivia is well-organized, a disciplined captain who leads by example,’’ Reding said. “A four-year veteran, she’s aggressive at the plate, and in the field she hits for power. She’s got good arm strength and throws quickly.

“Ava is a right-hander who went 9-9 last year. Durable and dependable, she improved as the year moved along. Ava throws a fastball, curve, drop and a change-up. She mixes her pitches effectively and her control is good and her velocity has improved. Nina hit .349 last year batting second. Our fastest player, she’s a great bunter and a solid fielder. She’s a contact hitter, and in the field she gets a good jump and her arm is strong. Ava and Nina lead by example and create unity.’’ 

Three sophomores who’ll be prime contributors are catcher Prya Bedard, first-baseman Olivia Klaus and left-fielder Katie Anderson. Last year, Bedard hit .359; Klaus hit .394, drove in 22 runs and scored 19 runs; and Anderson batted .333, managed 20 hits and had 10 RBIs.

“Prya played shortstop last year but she’ll return to her usual position behind the plate,’’ Reding offered. “She’s got a high softball IQ, is versatile, and a great communicator. A leader on the field, her arm is strong to second base, she knows how to calm down a pitcher and she can hit for average or power.

“Olivia was a TVL all-star last year. A six-footer, she’s got the strongest arm on the team and is solid in the field. A spray hitter, she had 20 singles and 6 doubles last year, and struck out only five times. Katie gets to the ball quickly, is smart and has good instincts. Our leadoff hitter, her speed is good. She’s very coachable and sets the tone. Katie struck out only eight times last year.’’

A trio of sophomores — Amanda Fletcher, Audrey Durgin and Shae O’Neill — rotated in right field last year and as Reding says, “They’re very coachable and they all contributed.’’

“Shae hit .364 in 11 at-bats, drove in 7 runs and hit one home run,’’ Reding noted. “Amanda is a hard-worker and she’s dependable in the outfield. Audrey got only three at-bats last year but went 2-for-3. She has a strong arm. Last year, she cut down a Bellingham runner at the plate with a great throw from right field. That play sparked us as we erased an 8-7 deficit and won, 11-8.’’

Reding is no stranger to softball at the interscholastic and collegiate levels.

He was a junior varsity coach at Whitinsville-Christian and Blackstone Valley Tech, and he was Northbridge High’s varsity coach for four years. Reding, who’s a certified hitting instructor, also coached the club team at Providence College for three seasons and was a volunteer coach for Jeff Kearney at Medway High for two seasons. He currently directs the Central Mass. Thunder at the AAU level, partnering with Noreen Arpin. 

His coaching philosophy is geared to helping his players deal with success or failure.

“The field is an extension of the classroom,’’ he emphasized. “Kids will either succeed or fail, so I stress the importance of handling any failure that occurs. I tell our players to approach all games with a positive attitude and focus on winning. If we’re winning, they gain confidence. If we’re losing, then that becomes the area to improve upon. If all of this is occurring, then winning and having fun will be the by-products.’’

Reding also coaches with an eye towards teaching valuable life lessons. He’s got four he hopes his players will embrace.

“Learning to be resilient or mentally tough is one,’’ he emphasized. “That helps kids bounce back from adversity. Another is to be a team-first player. Setting goals is a life lesson that can be learned in athletics. And learning to be an all-around student-athlete is a plus for excelling in the classroom and for playing at a high level.’’

Reding, who’s married and has a son and daughter, was a TVL all-star at Medway as a lineman in football. He also was a pitcher/third baseman in baseball.

Now, Chris Reding is all about softball and he’s focused on helping the Mustangs become a better version than they were last year.