NTL SOFTBALL: AREA SOFTBALL TEAMS GETTING READY FOR PLAYOFF ACTION (2023-05-22)

Northern Tier Sports Report
All five area softball teams made the playoffs this week, and all five will be looking to keep their seasons going through the week.

CLASS A

Thursday, May 25 at Elm Park, 3 p.m.

Canton vs St. John Neumann

For weeks it looked like Canton would be getting a rematch with Montgomery, but a late win from Neumann slid them into the third seed. Either way, it doesn’t matter who Canton plays.

“We have to be prepared for whoever we get,” said Canton coach Lyle Wesneski. “We’re going to have three good days of practice, get the scouting report on Neumann, and approach it like any other games.”

It’ll be nearly a week since their last game, which is both good and bad for Canton. They come in winners of five of their last six games, but they also had some nagging injuries they wanted to heal.

“As a coach you want to keep playing when you’re swinging good bats, and playing good defense,” Wesneski said. “A few days will be good for them, the last few weeks have been real busy for us. It was good that we were able to get refreshed, clear our minds, and come back Monday ready to go.”

They’re a veteran team, led by Keri Wesneski in the circle. They’ve been hitting better up and down the line-up the past few weeks, with Mae Kinner bringing in the extra base hits recently.

Elizabeth Weller has thrown the most for Neumann, totaling 85 2/3-innings so far this year. She has 138 strikeouts with 68 walks and an ERA of 4.66.

She’s hitting .615 at the plate with 28-RBI, eight doubles, seven triples, and five home runs, while Giyannah Parlante is batting .561 with 14-RBI. They have five other girls hitting over .300 on the year.

So, while Canton has district title aspirations, Wesneski knows they can’t get ahead of themselves.

“You start looking ahead you get sent home,” he said. “At this point it’s win or go home. You’ve just got to keep them focused one game at a time, one at bat at a time, and one pitch at a time. We’re excited about it - as a team you always set goals for yourself, our first goal was to get into the district playoffs.”

He feels they have the potential to make a run, not just in the district but at the state level.

“We get hot, we can do that,” remarked Wesneski.

CLASS AA

Tuesday, May 23, 4:30 p.m.

Troy at Wyalusing

This will be the third meeting between these two teams. Wyalusing one the first match-up at their place in an offensive heavy game, 20-12. Troy took the rematch at East Troy, 6-3, on the backs of two home runs.

In fact, Troy’s been playing home run derby the last few weeks. They’ve hit over 20 on the season, and every player, 1-through-9 has gone yard this year

“Troy will be a tough opponent,” said Wyalusing coach John Loomis. “They have good coaching and good players. This will be a competitive game…We will not be overlooking Troy.”

The Trojans also sport three different pitchers - Lauren Ridall, Kali Ayres, and Olivia Champluvier - as they look to mix things up in the circle.

“For our team, we’ll need 1-through-9 in the batting order to pull their weight,” Loomis said. “Some of our players are doing a much better job with pitch selection. That will be key for us on offense.”

Freshman Addison Bly leads the team at the plate with a .463 average, including 20 runs scored, 10-RBI, and four doubles. 

Senior Janelle Johns is hitting .328 with 19-RBI, while Danielle Wilson (.314), Allie Liddick (.308), and Kylie Pickett (.305) are all hitting over .300, too.

In the circle Johns has struck out 109 in 109 2/3-innings, allowing 53 walks with a 0.13 ERA.

“Defensively we have played much better in the past few games,” Loomis said. “I’m hoping that continues.”

The winner will likely get top seed South Williamsport, who faces East Juniata in the first round. The semifinal game is slated to be on Friday, at 4:30 p.m. at Elm Park.

Tuesday, May 23, 4:30 p.m.

NEB at CV

Despite some ups-and-downs a new look Panther squad got into the playoffs, a big goal coach MaKaylah Holbert had for her young team.

“The coaches and I are so proud of the girls for making the playoffs this season,” she said. “The girls had a lot to prove, not getting a lot of playing time in years passed. They stepped right up, and got it done. No matter how far we make it in the playoffs I am extremely proud of this young team, and I can’t wait to see what they will continue to accomplish in the future.”

This will be their third meeting with CV, too. Both games were lopsided, with NEB winning the first match-up on the road 18-8, while the Indians took the second game in NEB 12-1.

In the circle Kelsea Moore has struck out 83 in 70 1/3-innings with a 3.09 ERA, while allowing 46 walks.

She’s had a hot bat at the plate, too, hitting .488 with 14-RBI, five doubles, and a team leading three home runs.

Melanie Shumway is hitting .477 with five doubles, and 23 runs scored. Also for the Panthers Hannah Berger (.388), Kiarra DeLancey (.344), Mikayla Post (.326), and Toni Herb (.302) are all batting over .300.

The Indians are one of the most balanced teams 1-through-9 at the plate.

In the circle Ruby Sherman got the win against NEB, while Laynie LaBarron took the loss.

NEB ended the year strong, winning three of their last four, with their only loss a tough 10-5 battle with top seed South Williamsport.

“I believe playing CV three times this season really helps us know what to expect,” Holbert said. “Although there are uncertainties with any game, I am confident in our girls to go out, and give 100-percent effort.”

The winner will take on the winner of Muncy-Northwest on Friday at 3 p.m. in Elm Park.

CLASS AAA

Tuesday, May 23, 4:30 p.m.

Towanda at Loyalsock

Making districts has been a big goal for the Knights the past couple of seasons, one they were able to realize by winning the final game of the regular season.

“We are super excited to make it to the district playoffs this year,” said coach Caitlyn Crawford. “This is what the girls work hard for all season, and it’s nice to see their hard work pay-off. Districts is the next level of play so we have to be ready to give all our energy, and bring our A-game.”

The Lancers are the second seed, though both teams have losses to South Williamsport - Towanda 8-2, Loyalsock 11-3.

Shay Greenland has gotten the lion’s share of action in the circle for Towanda, going 77 2/3-innings with 115 strikeouts against 16 walks, and an ERA of 1.893.

At the plate Brea Overpeck is hitting .508 with eight home runs, and 26-RBI. Brooke Evans is battling .361 with seven doubles, as Aleah Johnson (.323), TaeLynn Brabant (.317), Caedence Wells (.306), Addie Maynard (.306), Greenland (.305), and Kynlee Kunkle (.302) are all hitting over .300 on the year.

Loyalsock comes in with an 8-game win streak, including victories over Midd-West (8-4), and Williamsport (6-5).

“Loyalsock is a good team, but I am confident, if our girls show up with solid defense and offense, they can compete well in district play,” remarked Crawford.

The winner will take on the winner of Central Columbia and Warrior Run on Friday, at Elm Park with a 4:30 p.m. start.