NTL SOFTBALL: TROY SOFTBALL HAS UP-AND-DOWN 2021 SEASON (2021-06-19)

Northern Tier Sports Report
It was an up-and-down season for Troy softball, as streaky play was the norm for 2021.

A slow start put them in an 0-4 hole that they climbed out of by mid-season. However, a trio of close losses to start the second half of their schedule kept them out of the playoffs.

After scoring 1-run in the first two games combined, Troy found their bats in the next two, scoring a total of 17 runs.

However, it wasn’t until their fifth game, an 11-3 win over NP-Liberty, that things started to come together. That started a string of four victories, ending with a 5-3 win over their rivals Canton to get back to .500.

A long break after that game slowed their momentum, and they fell to Wyalusing in their first game after a week-and-a-half off.

Then came three narrow defeats - Towanda (4-2), NP-Liberty (8-7), and NEB (7-6) - which put them in another hole. The loss to the Panthers was particularly heartbreaking, as it came in walk-off fashion; though, they were the closest NTL team to beating NEB this year.

They finished the season strong, beating Wellsboro 5-2, and Williamson 10-8 to finish up 6-9.

Tyra Williams hit .457 for Troy, with eight doubles, and four home runs to amass a team leading 21-RBI. 

They had five other girls hit .300 or better, led by lead-off batter Rachel Kingsley’s .365. Olivia Tate hit .348 with a team leading 20 runs scored, and five doubles. 

Pitcher Lindsay Steele hit .300 with 13-RBI, three home runs, and four doubles. In the circle Steele eventually became the team’s starter, pitching in 14 games as she struck out 85 to 42 walks, and finished with a 3.095 ERA.

Going forward the Trojans will need to fill a few holes - especially at pitcher - but seem poised to build off their 2021 campaign. A lot of the top teams in the NTL Division-I will be going through changes in the off season as they mix in new faces for 2022, presenting an opportunity for Troy to move up.