NTL SOFTBALL: TOWANDA LOOKING TO IMPROVE FROM 2019 PERFORMANCE (2021-04-05)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
Two years off is a long time for anybody, but for a high school coach, two years can feel almost like a lifetime.

“I feel like everybody else is in the same boat,” said Towanda coach Caitlyn Doerner. “We’re behind a year now that we’ve missed out on that season.”

Two cycles of athletes have gone through the school since then, so the roster could look radically different this year than it did two seasons ago.

“We have a really young team this year,” said Doerner. “But a lot of strong players I’m excited to see on the field.”

One key returnee is pitcher Maddy Maynard. As a freshman Maynard was Towanda’s ace, along with providing some pop in the batting order. She’s coming off an injury but should be ready to play this spring.

Other players she’s looking to excel are Lizzy Matera, Saige Greenland, Bre Overpeck, Athena Chacona and freshman Shaylee Greenland.

“Our numbers are so low this year, normally we’re struggling because we have so many girls,” remarked Doerner. “We have enough for a team if we have injuries, but I think for the team that we have we’re going to be a competitive team in the NTL.”

They finished last in the NTL Division-I standings two years ago at 2-8, along with Troy, though they were 7-8 in the league and 8-12 overall, showing just how strong Large School was in 2019. 

Out of the six teams in Division-I one that year, they were the only team that didn’t finish with a winning record.

Doerner hopes to change that this season, but with the defending NTL Division-I Co-Champions Athens and Wyalusing their first two games, they will be tested early.

“We might surprise some people with that we have,” she said.

The ultimate goal, though, is to just enjoy the season that they have - because there’s no guarantee that they even finish this year.

“Go out and have fun,” remarked Doerner. “Improve on the skills we can improve on.”