Martha Mauzy, Softball and Soccer Coach

Martha Mauzy, Softball and Soccer Coach

Mountain Ridge soccer, softball coach retires

Martha Mauzy's teams won nearly 400 games, never had losing season in 14 years
Mountain Ridge soccer, softball coach retires.

FROSTBURG —Martha Mauzy’s high school teams weren’t unbeatable on the softball diamonds or soccer fields.

But they sure seemed to be.

Mauzy, whose softball team won back-to-back state titles with perfect seasons and flirted with the state record for consecutive wins, retired recently at Mountain Ridge, where she never had a losing season in 14 years as the head coach of the softball and soccer teams.

The first seven years of her coaching career came at Beall, and the last seven were at Mountain Ridge, which opened in 2007.

The soccer team had won two games and the softball team three games the year before Mauzy was hired by Beall in 2000. No area teams in those sports have been more successful since then than Mauzy’s, whose combined coaching record in the two sports is 392-88-11.

The softball team won state titles in 2012 and 2013 with 23-0 seasons, then had another unbeaten regular season this year. A 4-2 playoff loss to Middletown finally ended the streak at 64, which was 13 shy of the state record of 77 set by Northern Calvert.

The numbers don’t lie, but the longtime coach is more interested in talking about and crediting those who were around her the last decade and a half.

“What is most rewarding, and what I’ve enjoyed the most is watching the kids achieve at what they’ve worked at so hard for so long,” she said. “And they did work hard ... all of them. They were not only good athletes, but were excellent students. They worked hard in the classroom and on the field. I was very fortunate to have had the quality of kids that were in our programs.

“I’ve been blessed, too, with the help I’ve had. I don’t want to start naming people for the fear I’d miss someone, but it’s been amazing," Mauzy said.

George Bishields, former boys soccer and baseball coach at Mount Savage, has been an assistant to Mauzy since the beginning. “George was with me in both sports, and what I’ve learned from him was invaluable," Mauzy said.

Gene Lescallette, an assistant coach and most recently the head jayvee coach, was promoted to head varsity girls soccer coach. The new head softball coach has yet to be named.

During Mauzy’s time as soccer coach, the Miners rolled up a 173-38-11 overall record with five unbeaten regular seasons, and were 149-21-10 against area competition, a winning percentage of .876 for 14 years. They were 49-2-3 the last seven years in the Appalachian Mountain Athletic Conference.

Mountain Ridge currently has a 27-game unbeaten streak against area teams (24-0-3), the last loss being 1-0 to Northern on Oct. 13, 2011. There had been a 40-game streak (39-0-1) against area teams from 2008-2011.

The program produced five Area Players of the Year in Stephanie Fazenbaker (2009, 2010), Danielle McGinnis (2008), Kiersten Stevenson (2006), Tasha Wilhelm (2005) and Abby Snyder (2003); two Offensive Players of the Year in Wilhelm (2004) and Snyder (2002), and Defensive Players of the Year Annabelle Hegeman (2012), Quincy Hegeman (2008, 2009), Jenna Delaney (2007), Rachel Armstrong (2003) and Becky Gostomski (1999). Chelsea Muir was the area Goalkeeper of the Year in 2012 and 2013.

There were seven area championships, eight AMAC and WMIL championships, and two region championships. The Miners lost to Loch Raven 2-1 in the state semifinals in 2009, then dropped a heartbreaker the next year to Oakdale in the state championship game. Tied 1-1 through two overtimes, Oakdale won on penalty kicks, 4-3, which remains a stinging disappointment.

“It was big for us to make it to the state tournament in soccer, but to lose on penalty kicks is still kind of a bee in your bonnet," Mauzy said.

The Miners were 12-1-2 and area and AMAC soccer champions this year, the first season since moving to Class 2A.

The last 14 seasons in softball, the Miners have gone 219-50 with three Area championships and five league titles, and are 193-40 against area teams, a winning percentage of .828. They are 94-9 with four championships in the last seven years in the AMAC.

Mauzy’s softball teams won three state championships — Mountain Ridge in 2012 and 2013 and Beall in 2004.

“The state championships and the streak, again, it goes back to the quality of kids we’ve had, and their desire not to lose," Mauzy said. “Consequently, they go three regular seasons (2012, 2013, 2014) without losing, and win two state championships.

“But, records were made to be broken, and good luck to anyone who can do it.”

The softball team currently has a 61-game winning streak against area opponents, a run that began after a 4-2 loss at Allegany on May 5, 2011. Carlie Lewis was the Area Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013.

“I have no regrets,” said Mauzy, who had also coached track and field at Mount Savage prior to moving to Beall. “I feel I’ve been blessed the whole time I’ve been coaching and content with what’s been accomplished and the quality of a program that we’ve had. I’ll miss the daily interaction with the kids the most.

“I enjoyed what I did, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my career, coaching and teaching. Hopefully, I’ve left some positive attitudes along the way. One never knows how many people you’ve touched. I’m content with what I’ve done.

“I’m sure winning will continue here because it’s a great school to work at. Everyone was always very supportive.”