NTL SOFTBALL: NEB HAS BIG EXPECTATIONS FOR 2025 (2025-03-17)
BY CHRIS MANNING Northern Tier Sports ReportNEB comes in with high hopes for this season, following a strong showing in both the NTL and District IV playoffs, as they return much of last year’s team.
“I think it puts a lot of pressure on us this year, but I think the girls do well under pressure,” said coach MaKaylah Leljedal. “Only losing just two seniors last year, I think that’s going to help us out, and I’m really hoping for a district title this year.”
The Panthers were runners-up in the NTL Small School race to their usual nemesis CV, and then fell in the District IV, Class AA semifinals, 1-0 to Muncy.
They’ll be in Class A this year, with competition that won’t be quite as stiff as they’ve seen in Class 2A over the past few seasons.
“I feel like we’re going to grow as a team again,” said Kelsea Moore. “We’re going to have our strengths, and our weaknesses, but, overall, I feel like we’re going to do good this year.”
Their biggest loss is centerfielder, and lead-off hitter, Melanie Shumway.
“I think outfield is going to be our struggle because we lost Melanie,” added Moore. “It’s going to be tough to fill her spot, but we’re going to work on it the best that we can.”
Leljedal knows you don’t just replace somebody like Shumway, especially in the lead-off spot. She was the most dangerous bunter in the league, and could steal her way to third on pretty much anybody.
“I don’t think it’s possible,” Leljedal said about replacing Shumway. “We have some other girls practicing their bunting. I have a couple girls in mind, and I think that McKenna (Callear) is going to be able to hold down the front of the line-up. She does a great job of getting out there, taking pitching, and make sure that the girls are able to see what we’re working with.”
They do return seven of nine starters, including big hitters Callear, Kiarra DeLancey, Toni Herb, Moore, and, of course, catcher Hannah Berger.
Batting has been a big emphasis for the Panthers, whose bats came alive at the end of last year.
“I hope we do more live batting,” said Berger. “I’m more worried about keeping my batting up.”
With CV the first team on the docket Leljedal would like to see them start off hot this year.
“Towards the end of the season they were hitting very well, not just our older girls, but our younger girls, as well,” she said. “We have a new assistant coach this year who brings a lot of hitting ideas. I’m really hoping that that keeps us rolling, and keeps them out there.”
They split with CV a year ago during the season, but still came in second in the standings, a finish they’d like to flip flop going this spring.
“I like playing them,” Berger said. “I think they’re good competition. I’d like beating them, but they’re good competition - you can’t go wrong with that.”
“We always seem to play them first year,” joked Leljedal. “It’s good to start out with a good team, so we go right into it. Nothing easy, but they’re a great team, and it’s fun to play them because they’re such a great team.”
NEB is deeper than most NTL baseball teams, let alone softball teams, when it comes to pitching, something they see as an asset, especially if the games start piling up due to inevitable weather delays.
“I think we’re going to do great,” said Moore. “I’m going to keep practicing, McKenna is going to keep practicing, and we have a freshman that pitches, too, so maybe we’ll throw her in for a game.”
Leljedal is excited to see just how much they’ve improved since last spring.
“They were also able to practice all summer long with their travel teams, so I know that they’ve been practicing in the off season,” she said.
With a talent, senior heavy class that has plenty of motivation from their district semifinal losses the past two seasons the Panthers know that the sky is the limit for them this year.
“As a senior you want to make (the district final), so I think that’s what our goal is,” Moore said. “Maybe even go further.”
ROSTER
Hannah Berger
Makenna Callear
Mackenzie Clark
Kiarra DeLancey
Orissa Gardner
Toni Herb
Isabelle Kapr
Abigail Keeney
Ava Lambert
Zaelea Lane
Kristina Larnerd
Kelsea Moore
Brianna Pelka
Madyson Tompkins
Carlie Wheaton
Jaylin Wheaton
SCHEDULE
Mar 18 at CV, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 20 at Williamson, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 22 at Sayre, 2 p.m.
Mar 25 vs Canton, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 27 vs Sayre, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 31 vs Susquehanna, 4:30 p.m.
April 3 at Wyalusing, 4:30 p.m.
April 5 vs Benton, 11 a.m.
April 10 at Towanda, 4:30 p.m.
April 12 at Blue Ridge, 10 a.m.
April 15 vs CV, 4:30 p.m.
April 17 at South Williamsport, 4:30 p.m.
April 24 vs Williamson, 4:30 p.m.
April 26 at Sullivan County, 11 a.m.
April 29 at Canton, 4:30 p.m.
May 6 at Tioga, 4:30 p.m.
May 8 vs Troy, 4:30 p.m.
May 12 at NPL, 4:30 p.m.
May 14 vs Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.
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