The Scioto County sports scene is shining bright this postseason, as six former high school standouts are making their mark at the collegiate level—either as key players or as part of the coaching staff. From the NAIA World Series to NCAA Regional tournaments, these athletes are proving that local talent runs deep.
Leading the charge is East High School alum Drew Lowe, who serves as the pitching coach for NAIA powerhouse Southeastern (Fla.). Lowe has been instrumental in guiding the Fire to a 42-16 record and a spot in the 2026 NAIA World Series, which runs from May 22-30 in Lewiston, Idaho. After dropping an 11-1 decision to British Columbia, Lowe’s pitching staff bounced back with two dominant wins—12-3 and 7-2—on Wednesday and Thursday. Starters Blake Albritton and Peyten Czekalewski combined for 11 innings without allowing an earned run, while Lowe shuffled through seven different pitchers to keep the opposition off balance. This marks Southeastern’s eighth consecutive trip to the NAIA World Series, with the Fire previously capturing national titles in 2018 and 2022.
On the NCAA Division II front, four Scioto County athletes are making noise in regional competition. Emma Smith (Wheelersburg) and Maddie Entler (Notre Dame) are key contributors for the University of Charleston. Smith, a freshman second baseman, has started 54 of 55 games and ranks third on the team with four home runs and 33 RBIs—including a grand slam in a 9-6 win over Glenville State. Entler, batting .295 with a homer and 17 RBIs in 40 games, has been a steady presence in the lineup. AndiJo Howard (Wheelersburg) is competing for Glenville State, while Kaylynn Carter (Wheelersburg) represents Findlay. Rounding out the regional competitors are Kyndall Ford (Notre Dame) at Northern Kentucky and Macee Eaton (Wheelersburg) at Virginia, though Catie Boggs (North Carolina) is sidelined for the 2026 season due to injury.
Whether they’re coaching from the dugout or stepping up in the batter’s box, these Scioto County athletes are proving that their postseason journeys are just getting started.