NTL SOFTBALL: YOUTHFUL CANTON LOOKS TO HAVE BOUNCE BACK 2025 (2025-03-17)
BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports ReportLast year was a year of change for Canton softball, this year they hope will be a year of progress.
“We’re definitely a young team,” said second year coach Darrell Jannone. “We’re going to try to build on the momentum we gained last year. We’re going to try to minimize mistakes, and maximize attitude and effort.”
Attitude and effort is the mantra for this young group that features just two seniors in Addie Pepper, and Audrey Bastion.
“We’ve got a lot of girls out here this year, and hopefully we’re going to do our best,” Pepper said. “There’s a lot to look at. We have quite a few new girls, so we’re getting a lot of new talent on the field. We’re just going to see what we can do with that, and make the best out of it.”
They went 4-15 a year ago, their biggest highlight a 7-4 win over a tough Williamson team. They’re hoping to have a few more highlights this spring.
“We’re kind of using it to push ourselves forward, and kind of keep going,” Bastion said about this year. “We definitely need to work together, and communicate better.”
Nevaeh Vroman (.457) and Jaylee Ward (.425) had big years at the plate last year, while Pepper (.308) hit over .300.
“One kid to watch when it comes to hitting this year is going to be Alyssa May,” added Jannone. “She has come a long way in the off-season.”
Defensively, Pepper will be leading them at the catcher’s spot.
“It’s definitely a lot of pressure,” said Pepper. “But, at the same time, you get to kind of see the whole field, and I love that aspect of it. It’s kind of fun, sometimes, when you take charge, and you kind of get to lead everyone to victory, or sometimes you have to pull everyone out of a loss. There’s definitely some pressure, but I love it.”
Jannone feels they should be much improved defensively as they return quite a bit from last year’s group.
“Jaylee Ward will be our anchor at shortstop, she’s lights out,” he said. “We have a brand new first baseman, so there’s going to be a learning curve there, but, for the most part, everybody’s in the same spots as they were last year, just a little bit better developed.”
In the circle they’ll switch between Tara Gilbert, and Ward, depending on what they need.
“Tara Gilbert will be our finesse, and Ward will be our heater,” said Jannone. “Depending on the play of the game, and how things are rolling throughout the game, we will adjust based on what’s going on in the field. We’ll put the right pitcher in at the right time.”
They’re hoping that this adds up to a .500 season, and playoff berth.
“I think we can,” Bastion said. “I think if we work hard enough, we can make it.”
Pepper believes they’ll get there if they can follow their mantra of attitude and effort.
“We have to work more as a team, and kind of put feelings, and emotions aside,” she said. “We have to learn to come together, and be more of a family out here.”
That’s Jannone’s goal, if they come together as a group, the rest will take care of itself.
“My goal is to be .500 and make districts,” he said. “But most importantly, be a team.”
ROSTER
Tiffany Acla (11)
Alyssa May (10)
Addi Pepper (12)
Savannah Bastin-Brown (10)
Trinity Acla (9)
Nevaeh Vroman (10)
Riley Gowin (110
Maayke Inman (11)
Skylar Gowin (9)
Charleigh Anderson (11)
Tara Gilbert (11)
Cora Hugo (10)
Lydia Roupp (10)
Emmalee McGhee (11)
Jaylee Ward (10)
Audrey Bastion (12)
SCHEDULE
Mar 18 vs Sayre, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 21 vs CV, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 25 at NEB, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 28 vs Bucktail, 4:30 p.m.
April 1 at Williamson, 4 p.m.
April 3 at Towanda, 4:30 p.m.
April 8 at NPL, 4:30 p.m.
April 10 vs Troy, 4:30 p.m.
April 12 vs Wyalusing, 4:30 p.m.
April 19 vs Millville, 11 a.m.
April 21 at Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.
April 22 at Sayre, 4:30 p.m.
April 24 at CV, 4:30 p.m.
April 29 vs NEB, 4:30 p.m.
May 6 vs Williamson, 4:30 p.m.
May 8 vs Wellsboro, 4 p.m.
May 10 at Troy (non-league), 10 a.m.
May 12 at Wyalusing, 4:30 p.m.
May 14 vs Athens, 4:30 p.m.
May 16 vs Montgomery, 4:30 p.m.
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