NTL SOFTBALL: TROY HAS HIGH HOPES FOR 2025 SEASON (2025-03-17)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
It’s the year of the ‘Dream Team’ for Troy as they boast six seniors who’ve been key contributors since they were freshmen.

“We’ve got all but one back this year,” Troy coach Wayne Pratt said about his line-up. “Nappy (Caitlin Knapp) was behind the plate, and she’s a tough one to replace, but Lauren (Ridall) is going to go behind the plate this year. She should do a good job, and we look to have a pretty competitive team this year.”

They were runners-up in the NTL Large School Division last spring, and reached the district semifinals for the second year in a row.

“It’s just going to be really positive, and fun,” Madi Palmer said about this season, remarking they come in with unfinished business. “It just keeps us working for it. We keep it fun around here, and losing just so close to those titles just gives us something to work towards every single year. This year is our year.”

At the plate they return four batters with averages of .400 or better in Ridall (.512), Kali Ayres (.410), Olivia Champluvier (.405), and Marlee Stanton (.405). Palmer (.325), Amber James (.310), and Sydnee Bellows (.308) all hit over .300 a year ago, as well.

“We definitely have a lot of big bats when we come around all together,” said James.

The team finished with 111-RBIs, and 14 home runs a year ago, with many of those same girls contributing to the team two years ago that hit over 30 home runs.

“I think we’re going to focus on the minor details when it comes to hitting,” Ayres said about trying to get back to those video game numbers two years ago. “Just perfecting little imperfections in our swings.”

Defensively they shouldn’t have too much of a shake-up this season. Ridall moves from shortstop to catcher, but the rest of the infield and outfield should look close to the same.

“It’s going to help us out a lot because we trust each other, and we know where everybody covers,” Ayres said.

Pratt likes it because it lets them focus on hitting, and pitching more early this year.

“We don’t have to start over, and say, ‘OK, here’s our defensive strategies,’” he explained. “They already know them. They know them right from day one.”

Stanton will be manning centerfield again this year, and expects things to be different after some turnover going into last season.

“I feel like me being the only upperclassman out there, I got to lead the younger girls, and we got a strong bond,” said Stanton. “With our experience, and a couple new freshmen, we should kind of really have our dream team.”

No dream team is complete without a pitcher, and Pratt feels he has several that can do the job, beginning with two freshmen.

“We have Haidyn Watson, and Erinn Knapp,” he said. “There was a time when we were struggling to find any pitchers, and now we have an abundance. We also have Kali and Liv that are coming back, and bringing that experience and leadership back to the mound, as well. And then we also have Lauren, if everything comes down to it, so we’ve been blessed with some good, quality pitchers.”

Knapp has pitched in tournaments all over the country, and should give them a new look.

As they said, this year looks to be their season, but they also know the games aren’t played on paper.

“I’m hoping we can go all the way,” James said. “I’m hoping this year’s the year that we all can come together, and finally be a team, and make a name for ourselves that everyone around us knows that we can do.”

NP-Liberty has been their nemesis in the NTL, while Towanda, Wyalusing, and Athens also have high expectations, while in the district they’ve run aground against a very good South Williamsport group.

“They are the main two teams that we would love to just finally take one from them,” Ayres said.

Pratt feels them being battle tested the last couple of seasons should come in handy this year.

“When they started as freshmen they went through a lot - some good, some bad,” he said. “The sophomore year they really hit the ball hard, but defensively, we had a couple miscues. Last year I thought they did a super job, and we were right there in contention. This year we’re hoping to compete, but the NTL has got some pretty good teams this year, so, at the end of the season, we want to be there being mentioned.”

ROSTER

Kali Ayres (12)

Liv Champluvier (12)

Amber James (12)

Madi Palmer (12)

Lauren Ridall (12)

Marlee Stanton (12)

Stephanie Finegan (11)

Lauren Reed (11)

Sydnee Bellows (10)

Taylor Brown (10)

Kaylin Keltz (10)

Maddie Muir (10)

Keira Coles (9)

Aubree Kenyon (9)

Erinn Knapp (9)

Emilee Purcell (9)

Alyssa Rinebold (9)

Haidyn Watson (9)

SCHEDULE

Mar 20 at Athens, 4:30 p.m.

Mar 21 vs Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.

Mar 25 at Wyalusing, 4:30 p.m.

Mar 27 vs NPL, 4:30 p.m.

April 1 at Towanda, 4:30 p.m.

April 3 vs Williamson, 4:30 p.m.

April 10 at Canton, 4:30 p.m.

April 12 at Central Mountain, 11 a.m.

April 15 at Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.

April 24 vs Athens, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 vs Midd-West (DH), 11 a.m.

April 29 vs Wyalusing, 4:30 p.m.

May 1 at NPL, 4:30 p.m.

May 6 vs Towanda, 4:30 p.m.

May 8 at NEB, 4:30 p.m.

May 9 vs Jersey Shore, 4:30 p.m.

May 10 vs Canton (non-league), 10 a.m.

May 13 vs Sayre, 430 p.m.

May 14 at CV, 4:30 p.m.

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