The Sports ReportsJunior Elena Booth waited on her time to shine for the powerhouse North Penn-Liberty softball program, and took full advantage of the opportunity in 2025. She is The Sports Reports' All-Region "Girls Newcomer of the Spring."
Booth threw 113 innings in her first season for North Penn-Liberty, compiling an 11-5 record with a 1.24 ERA and 182 strikeouts. She held opposing hitters to a .161 batting average.
At the plate, Booth had 14 base hits and a .259 batting average, with a .355 on-base percentage, and seven RBI.
The 2025 All-Region "Girls Newcomers of the Spring"
Elena Booth, junior, NP-Liberty: See above.
Kate Kithcart, 8th-grader, Tioga softball: Kithcart took over the pitching duties early in the season and posted a 9-3 record with a 2.46 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. She struck out 71 and walked only 12, while allowing 68 hits in 74 innings.
At the plate, Kithcart hit .469 (30 hits in 64 ABs) with six doubles, two triples, 21 RBI, 21 runs scored, and four stolen bases. She worked eight walks for a .469 on-base percentage, to go along with a .625 slugging percentage for a 1.153 OPS.
Eva Crawford, 8th-grader, Owego softball: Crawford provided instant production for a strong River Hawks softball program this season. She was a solid glove in the outfield and a strong bat in the top of the lineup.
Crawford averaged .356 with 21 hits, including four home runs, six triples, and four doubles, with 11 RBI, and 31 runs scored. Crawford had a .443 on-base percentage to go along with a .831 slugging percentage for a 1.273 OPS.
Taylin Gonzalez, 8th-grader, Waverly softball: Gonzalez made an immediate impact on both sides of the ball for the Wolverines. She posted a 6-5 record with a 3.86 ERA, and 60 strikeouts in 67 innings pitched.
At the plate, Gonzalez hit .424 (25 hits in 59 ABs) with six doubles, two triples, one home run, 23 RBI, and 21 runs scored. She walked 10 times and was hit by pitches twice for a .662 on-base percentage with a slugging percentage of .644 for an OPS of 1.306 OPS.
Ryleigh Judson, sophomore, Waverly track & field: Judson, who finished the season as one of Waverly's top middle-distance runners, ran on the 1,600 and 3,200-meter relays that won the STAC and Section IV, Class C Championships.
Judson also ran on the 400-meter relay that finished third at the STAC and Class C Championships. The 1,600 relay finished second, and the 3,200-meter relay was fourth at the State Qualifier.
Gianna Soprano, freshman, Waverly track & field: Soprano, who was also Waverly's top pole vaulter during the regular season, placed fifth in the 400-meter hurdles at the State Qualifier.
Soprano won the 400 hurdles at the STAC and Class C Championships.
Abby DeBolt, sophomore, Newark Valley: Newark Valley's DeBolt made an immediate impact in her first varsity season. The sophomore pitcher threw 58 innings for the Cardinals, reaching 100 strikeouts on the very last batter she faced.
Offensively, DeBolt hit .324 with a home run, three doubles and eight RBI. The sophomore also worked seven walks and finished with a .457 on-base percentage and a .486 slugging percentage for a .943 OPS.
Maddie Ribble, Horseheads flag football: A standout on defense, Ribble had 98 tackles, including five tackles-for-loss, and four QB sacks.
Presley McInnis, 7th-grader, Horseheads softball: The 7th-grader started at shortstop on a state finals team. She hit .330 with a .987 fielding percentage.
Brynna Walsh, 8th-grader, Corning lacrosse: Walsh had 25 goals, 11 assists, 29 ground balls, 29 draw controls and 20 caused turnovers as a first-year varsity player.
Erinn Knapp, freshman, Troy softball: Knapp pitched the Trojans to a district finals appearance, finishing the year with an ERA under 1 and more than 100 strikeouts on the season.
Adelyn Frantz, freshman, Wellsboro softball: Frantz hit .379 with a .471 on-base percentage. She had 22 base hits, including five doubles and four home runs, with 8 RBI, 17 runs scored, 10 walks and eight stolen bases. On the mound, she went 4-11 with 133 strikeouts in 95 innings.
Maddie Smith, sophomore, NP-Liberty softball: The Mounties’ catcher hit .373 with a .419 on-base percentage. She had 25 base hits with two doubles and four triples, 10 RBI, 21 runs scored and 19 stolen bases.
