NTL SOFTBALL: NEB HAS ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SEASON IN 2022 (June 11, 2022)

Northern Tier Sports Report
Northeast Bradford softball continued their strong play in 2022, winning another division title, and capturing the top seed in the District IV, Class A tournament. Even if the season didn’t end they way they wanted it to, it doesn’t negate what they did during the regular season.

“We had a good season,” said NEB coach Tilden Franklin. “We ended up seeding number one in all of District IV, but lost our game in the semifinals. That’s always a tough pill to swallow when you lose.”

The Panthers finished 13-2 on the season, winning their first 10 games. It wasn’t easy, as three of their games were by a run. 

They needed a walk-off home run to beat CV 7-6, then held off a late Canton charge to win 5-4. They got the season sweep against the Indians with a 4-3 win. 

Other notable wins include 14-10 in the season opener against Troy, 10-0 over Towanda, and 11-1 at Athens.

Canton handed them their first loss of the season, 7-3, but the Panthers took the next three games, including a 3-0 win over the NTL Division-I champions, Wyalusing. NEB finished off the season with a close loss to NP-Liberty.

The old epitaph it’s hard to beat a good team three times proved true in the playoffs, as they fell to CV 4-0 in the semis.

They had two batters hit over .500 on the year - catcher Emily Susanj (.574) and pitcher Thailey Franklin (.555). Susanj also had five home runs, four doubles, and a team high 32-RBI, while Franklin tied an NTL record with five triples on the year, to go with three home runs, three doubles, 27 runs scored, and 22-RBI.

Melanie Shumway hit .370 with 19 runs scored, while freshman Kelsea Moore hit .302 with 12-RBI, 17 runs scored, and five doubles.

Kayleigh Thoman finished with a .298 average to go with a team high 30 runs scored, and four doubles.

Ciana Frisbie finished with a .286 average, and 12 runs scored, while fellow senior Julia Brown hit .256 with 10-RBI and 10 runs scored. Toni Herb hit .250 with 11 runs scored, while Malina Ramires found home 17 times, primarily has a pinch runner for Susanj.

In the circle Franklin pitched all 92 innings, striking out 132 against 16 walks to finish with a 1.902 ERA.

“Our team this year was carried by our battery,” said Franklin of Thailey and Susanj. “They both had a really outstanding year.”

Going forward they lose three senior starters - Susanj, Frisbie, and Brown - leaving a few holes in the line-up, but Franklin believes they have the talent to keep the program going strong.

“We will be losing three seniors, I’m looking forward for next year,” he said. “Hopefully, we can stay strong, and learn how to win the close games.”