BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports Report
There’s little more Wyalusing softball could ask for coming into this year. They return seven starters from a 13-win season a year ago, including their battery and their top hitter, as they look to compete for a league title.
“Hopefully this year we can start better from the get to,” coach Brett Jayne said. “I’m hoping the pitching is good right off of the gate so we that we don’t suffer that. The hitting, the girls have been putting the ball in play pretty well here during practices, it’s tough not being able to get outside, and see where the ball is actually flying.”
Addison Fluck nailed down the starting role last year with a strong finish to the season.
“I’m looking forward to her starting off hot instead of cold this year,” said Jayne. “I’m hoping that she can carry the momentum that she had at the end of the season into the beginning of the season. I’ve got another girl, Callie Warner, that’s throwing some, and she’s throwing pretty decent, so to give Addison a little bit of a break if she needs it.”
Being a senior Fluck is hoping to make a big statement to end her career.
“It’s pretty exciting,” she said. “I’ve been working very hard for a very long time, and I’m just coming in, and doing my thing. I’m been lifting, strengthening myself, and trying to hit my spots, and work on my spins.”
Addison Bly hit nearly .500 a year ago, and will be looking to lead the offense once again.
“I mostly just did a lot of hitting,” Bly said about her off season. “Trying to keep the bat up, and start off strong. When you get into the gym early, and start hitting early, it doesn’t take as long to get into it once the season starts.”
The Rams brought the stick around towards the end of last season, so Jayne is hoping that also carries over to early this year.
“It’s nice having Bly back, she’s been an over .400 hitter for her three seasons prior,” he said. “I’m hoping that she keeps that up. And some girls finished strong at the of the season last year - Kyla Carpenter, who really brought the bat alive, and Treanna Nickeson, who is usually a pretty steady stick. I’m hoping that those three seniors, and with Fluck, I’m hoping the four of them can really help the younger girls. It’s also nice to have two juniors back that have started the last two years.”
Kirra Millard, Emily Johns, and Josie Ferris round out the returnees, while Jayne is looking for Ellie Adams and Warner to fill some holes, as well.
“I think they’re going to play a bigger role this year,” he said. “I have seven returning starters from last year, and 10 returning lettermen, so with those two each earning letters last year, they have some shoes that they can fill, and I think they’re good enough to fill them.”
Most of the top teams in the league have holes to fill - Towanda in the circle, Troy, NP-Liberty, and Athens everywhere else - so the Rams feel good about coming into the season.
“I know a lot of teams around the league lost a lot, so we’re looking to start off strong, and hopefully be one of the top contenders,” Bly said. “We have a good group of seniors, kind of our nucleus, and it’s good to have that continuity from last year. The girls are familiar with each other, and you only have to replace two.”
The seniors are hoping to not just be successful this year, but to leave the program better than when they came into it.
“Building the program has been pretty hard but this is the most we’ve had in years,” Fluck said. “It’s really exciting.”
ROSTER (Grade)
Addisyn Bly (12)
Kyla Carpenter (12)
Addison Fluck (12)
Treanna Nickeson (12)
Maddison Adams (11)
Kirra Millard (11)
Emily Johns (11)
Raelea Harvey (11)
Josie Ferris (11)
Ellie Adams (10)
Callie Warner (10)
Laynee Burgess (9)
Hannah Fulmer (9)
Tayleigh Jackson (9)
Jaslynn Grover (9)
Riley O’Connor (9)
Raynah Noble (9)
SCHEDULE
Mar 19 at Blue Ridge, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 21 vs NPL, 11 a.m.
Mar 24 vs Towanda, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 26 at Troy, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 31 at Athens, 4:30 p.m.
April 2 at Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.
April 7 at NEB, 4:30 p.m.
April 9 at CV, 4:30 p.m.
April 10 vs Montgomery, 4:30 p.m.
April 11 vs Williamson, 11 a.m.
April 15 at NPL, 4:30 p.m.
April 16 at Towanda, 4:30 p.m.
April 17 vs Northwest, 4:30 p.m.
April 21 vs Troy, 4:30 p.m.
April 23 vs Athens, 4:30 p.m.
April 28 vs Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.
April 30 vs Sayre, 4:30 p.m.
May 5 at Canton, 4:30 p.m.
May 7 at South Williamsport, 4:30 p.m.
May 9 vs Canton, 4:30 p.m.
