Lorain County Miss Softball: North Ridgeville's Naomi Bottomlee has the stats, but her importance to her team was about more than that

LORAIN — Naomi Bottomlee is a four-time district champion, Youngstown State commit and Southwestern Conference Most Valuable Player. Wednesday the North Ridgeville senior added another impressive honor to her list of accomplishments — 2025 Lorain County Miss Softball. WOBL/WDLW sports director Don Vincent presented Bottomlee with the award prior to the Lorain County Softball Senior All-Star Game at Campana Park. "It's kind of surreal," Bottomlee said. "I don't know what to say because I didn't expect it this year. All of the work I've put in, even in the offseason, and the support I've received from my team makes this amazing. It feels awesome but I know this award wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my team and my coaches." For all of the support Bottomlee received from her team over the course of her career, she returned even more this year in the postseason when she battled through a quad injury to pitch the Rangers to a regional final for the first time since 2021. "During the tournament run she was in tears before the game trying to give it everything she had," North Ridgeville coach Amy McMillan said. "For her to go out there and do that in the pain she was in was a big moment for her to show how tough she really is." Bottomlee did it all for the Rangers in her senior year, leading the team with a .506 average and four home runs while also hitting six doubles, five triples and driving in 20 runs. In the circle, she was 13-3 with 173 strikeouts in 131 1/3 innings. She also excelled in the classroom where she carried a 4.58 GPA. Even in her big moment, Bottomlee was mindful to remember those who helped her along on her softball journey. "I appreciate all of my coaches, specifically I want to shout out coach Amy (McMillan), coach Len Howser and coach Bob Beck," Bottomlee said. "All of them have been there for me for the longest time. I really appreciate that they saw the potential in me." Bottomlee is the second Ranger to win the award in the past three years, joining Autumn Behlke, who won in 2023. "Naomi is one of the kids who says, 'Yes coach, what I can do to help the team?'" McMillan said. "She's always been like that. She's mentally tough, she wants it in every aspect. She'll put everything out there for her team. It's been amazing to see what she's done for the team." Although Bottomlee didn't play in the All Star Game due to her injury, she rushed back from her freshman orientation at Youngstown State to share one last memory with her high school teammates. "It was a little rushed but it was kind of nice to see my future and come back and see where I am right now," said Bottomlee, who will play outfield for the Penguins. Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.