NTL SOFTBALL: NEW FACES AT NEB LOOK TO FOLLOW UP LAST SEASON'S SUCCESS (March 17, 2026)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
This season is going to be a tough follow up to last year’s run to the state finals, especially with NEB softball needing to replace six of nine starters, including both pitchers, but the holdovers from 2025 are determined to make 2026 memorable, too.

“It’s going to be hard to beat, especially because of all the girls that we lost, but the new ones that we have are showing a lot of promise right now,” said Orissa Gardner. “Hopefully we can get them close to the level that we had last year, because it would be great to try and go on a run like that again.”

Coach MaKaylah Leljedal is excited to see what last year’s back-ups can do, along with their incoming freshmen.

“They seem to be fitting in pretty well with the team,” Leljedal said about her freshmen. “They’re girls that played together for a long time, so they made the transition to a new team pretty easy. “The rest of the girls, although we had them on our team last year, a lot of them didn’t see a lot of field time, so it’s nice to be able to get them in the line-up, and see what they can do.”

Gardner is one player they know what they can do. After starring on the stage in the fall, Gardner is hoping to be a star on the diamond this spring.

“I did a lot of hitting on the offseason,” she said. “That’s one of my strong suits for what I do, I’m a big hitter, or at least I like to think I am.”

Last year she protected Hannah Berger in the line-up, but this year she’s the Hannah.

“It’s daunting,” Gardner said. “Hannah was a big girl, and it’s some big shoes to fill, but I’m hoping I’m up to the challenge.”

Leljedal feels Gardner is set up for another strong season at the plate.

“She was a powerhouse for us last year, and I think she’ll continue to be this year,” Leljedal said.

She’s also eyeing a freshman who also has a big bat.

“Karmyn McPherson, she looks like she’s going to have a big bat as well,” said the coach. “So her and Orissa, I’m really counting on to get us some runs.”

In the circle they’ll going to look for Kristina Leonard and Madalyn Callear to step up.

“I’m looking at about 50/50,” Leljedal said. “They both bring something good to the table. Madalyn’s a little younger, so she still has some varsity stuff to learn. Nina has that experience, even though she’s been pitching mainly JV. She’s been able to get a couple varsity at bats in there, so I think they’re going share the time.”

Larnerd picked up a lot of things from her time last season.

“I really learned discipline,” she said. “I learned how to come back from your mistakes, like every pitch, just forget the last one. Being one of the main pitchers now, I think they taught me how to be a leader for the team.”

She’s been working to expand her range beyond fastball and change-up.

Building camaraderie has been a big goal early this season.

“We’re all just working together to form a new team, and see how far we can go,” Larnerd said.

They’ll have to work quickly because they come in with that target on their back.

“That’s definitely something that teams are going to look out for, wanting to get a win off us,” Leljedal said. “We’re a whole new team this year, so we’re just looking to get the girls out there, have some fun, and play some softball.”

ROSTER
Karmyn McPherson
Madalyn Callear
Zoey Thetga
Brianna Pelka
Madyson Tompkins
Carlie Wheaton
Orissa Gardner
Stephanie Lambert
Ava Lambert
Izzy Kapr
Jaylin Wheaton
Neveah Potter
Mackenzie Clark
Charity Coon
Kristina Larnerd

SCHEDULE
Mar 23 vs Sullivan County, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 24 vs Williamson, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 26 at Canton, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 28 vs CV, 11 a.m.
Mar 31 at Sayre, 4:30 p.m.
April 2 vs Blue Ridge, 4:30 p.m.
April 7 vs Wyalusing, 4:30 p.m.
April 9 vs Towanda, 4:30 p.m.
April 11 at Athens, 11 a.m.
April 14 at CV, 4:30 p.m.
April 16 at Williamson, 4:30 p.m.
April 18 at Susquehanna, 11 a.m.
April 21 vs Canton, 4:30 p.m.
April 23 vs Sayre, 4:30 p.m.
April 25 vs South Williamsport, 11 a.m.
April 27 at Benton, 4:30 p.m.
April 30 at Troy, 4:30 p.m.
May 5 vs NPL, 4:30 p.m.
May 7 at Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.
May 9 vs Montrose, 10 a.m.



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