It was a rebuilding season for the NEB softball team this year as they lost quite a few seniors from last year's state runner-up squad. The Panthers incorporated plenty of new faces as they battled through tough competition and a wet spring.

"This season was full of growth and laying the foundation for the future of our program," said NEB coach MaKayla Leljedal. "Coming off a season in which we were state finalists, we knew this year would show new challenges, after losing so many girls from our starting lineup. While our win total may not have reflected the goals we set for ourselves, the girls continued to push through and challenge themselves to get better each game. At the same time, this season gave several younger players the opportunity to step into important roles. Our freshmen (Madilyn Callear, Zoey Thetga, and Karmyn McPhereson)  made an immediate impact and gained varsity experience. Madilyn actually ended with the highest batting average on our team and her pitching was really looking good by the end of the season!"

NEB went 6-13 on the year and put together a 3-3 start thanks to wins over Canton (21-18), Sayre (10-0), and Sullivan County (10-0).

That was followed by a 7-game losing streak as they faced some of the NTL Large School teams and had a pair of tight losses to Susquehanna (6-4) and Canton (6-4).

A forfeit win over Benton started their final stretch that saw them go 3-3, again, as they got wins over Sayre (21-2) and South Williamsport (18-15).

Callear hit .410 on the season with 15-RBI, 19 runs scored three doubles, and a home run as Thetga hit .375 with 13-RBI, 13 runs scored, four doubles, a triple, and a home run.

Junior Orissa Gardner batted .321 with 14-RBI, six doubles, and 12 runs scored as McPherson hit .305 with 16-RBI, three doubles, two triples, and 19 runs scored.

"Our returning upperclassmen did a tremendous job mentoring and working alongside the underclassmen," Leljedal said. "I was really impressed with Orissa Gardner in the infield this year as she saved many throws at first base. Mackenzie Clark also exploded defensively as we changed her from infield to outfield. The confidence from her was very evident and her speed helped her a ton!"

They say good-bye to three senior starters, but with six starters returning, and a talented freshman class moving up the Panthers expect to be back to competing for titles in 2027.