'A hard but easy decision:' Hillsdale softball coach Hannah Moore steps down

Hannah Moore might love Hillsdale High School softball as much as anyone could, but she'll be the first one to tell you something supersedes that - her family.

Moore resigned as head coach of the Lady Falcons following their season, leading the team to a 22-4 overall record and an unblemished 14-0 mark in the Wayne County Athletic League.

But her husband, Ryan, the former Hillsdale boys basketball coach, and her two sons take priority, especially since the boys are getting older.

"The biggest thing was my two little boys, they are getting older, getting more active, and with me not being a teacher, it was becoming too hard for my family life," said Moore, who works as a senior reinsurance analyst at Westfield Insurance. "It was just time for our family to take priority, and for me to step down and be with them more, versus Hillsdale softball.

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"It took a long time for me to decide on it, it was not easy because I still love the game, love the team, I love the girls," said Moore, a 2009 Hillsdale graduate. "I always said they're like having my pseudo-children, so it's hard to know I'm stepping away from them, especially the underclassmen coming in and underclassmen who are there now. They're going to be good next year, but I knew if I didn't do it now I'd never want to, but I want to do what's best for my family."

Hillsdale softball has a well-known legacy, as the program has won seven state championships, most recently in 2018, under Moore's guidance and the strong pitching of Sydney Long. In 2022, Hillsdale lost in the state semis under Moore.

"I still live in the community, I'm still going to be around, I'm going to see it all of the time, I live five minutes from the school," Moore said. "It was a hard but easy decision if that makes any sort of sense. I adore the sport, I love the girls I've always gotten to coach since 2017. I've had a lot of fun years, but I love being a mom better right now. I'm not saying this is forever to be done, maybe when my kids are grown, I could find my way back."

This past season was another outstanding season for Hillsdale, who lost 4-0 to Tuslaw in the Division III district championship game. But the Lady Falcons did run the table in the WCAL this past season going undefeated, led by its four seniors in Lilyan Amend, Belle Dalton, Mollie Goon, and Jacey Sermulis.

"They knew what it took to be Hillsdale softball, they've had their ups and downs for all four years, but they were the ones who stayed consistent all four years so that was pretty cool to see how their athletic ability was so strong in how well they did," Moore said. "And they're just great people. That's the best part of all four of them. They were a fun group to be around, they were fun to talk to and to coach. And it was so good to see such a strong leadership group from such a small class."

Moore said Dalton and Goon had a lot to do with Hillsdale going undefeated in the WCAL.

"Those two, how much they grew, and just wanted to keep the tradition of Hillsdale softball staying strong, and they knew they were playing for something bigger than themselves, and that was pretty cool to see," Moore said. "And this year for the team, there was a sour taste in their mouths last year for tying with two teams, and they didn't want to do that again. I think it was a big goal this year making sure we won it outright. I think it was the first time we went 14-0 since 2018."

Moore, who in her eight seasons at Hillsdale has a 151-38 overall record, also had a strong corps of assistant coaches this past season with her father, Dan Fulk, Kirk Ebert, Nicole Smith, LeeAnn Heffelfinger, and Adrianna Summerfield, a former player.

"Dad's going to be a grandpa now, and that's part I'm going to miss because I got to see my dad every day and that was like the dream come true," Moore said. "I always thought as a little girl, I wanted to coach with my dad someday but never did I ever think it was going to be at Hillsdale. I think it was everything that needed to line up did, and it was perfect."

Moore also praised the parents and the Hillsdale community.

"I had very little issues with girls, parents, all of the above, and I always brag about how good Hillsdale has it with parents and fans," Moore said. "I still think we have the best community out there so it's just a special place right now. I'll always be there for the girls and just really appreciative of everyone's support over the years."

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Hillsdale softball coach Hannah Moore resigns