Lady Wildcats With High Hopes For New Season
By John Lipez
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – The Central Mountain softball team has been solid for quite a while now and despite the loss of some standout players due to graduation, the 2022 season holds considerable promise.
The Lady Wildcats were definitely solid a year ago, finishing with a 15-4 mark, 11-2 in the Heartland Conference, and as District 6 runner-up to Bellefonte. Five seniors were lost to graduation, including the team’s middle infielders, two starting outfielders and two leading hitters.
Head coach Fred Caldwell said, “Filling those positions and replacing their offensive production will be a big challenge for us.” But talent returns, starting with pitching, a key to success in scholastic softball. Per the coach: “In the circle Adalynn McKeague and Allison Lininger, who together carried the load for us in the circle last year, are both returning, and both had very good summer seasons.” Lininger, a junior, pitched to a 6-2 mark a year ago with an ERA of 2.95 and 43 strikeouts in 40 innings. McKeague, a sophomore, went 9-2, compiling 96 strikeouts in 74 innings with a 1.03 ERA.
and both had very good summer seasons.” Lininger, a junior, pitched to a 6-2 mark a year ago with an ERA of 2.95 and 43 strikeouts in 40 innings. McKeague, a sophomore, went 9-2, compiling 96 strikeouts in 74 innings with a 1.03 ERA.
Other returning starters from a year ago are Madison Hardy, Madison Wian, Caitlyn Watson and Harley Kunes. Top returning batters from a year ago are Lininger with a .466 average, Watson at .462, Hardy at .400 and Wian at .289. Coach Caldwell said there were a number of promising players on jayvees last year who will be looking to make the move to varsity along with a talented group of nine freshmen moving up to the high school this year.
The coaching staff is working with a squad of 29 and coach Caldwell said, “It’s been very competitive” at the outset of practice.
The Lady Wildcat coach offered his thoughts on the strengths of the team and areas of concern: “Our strength going into the season will be our pitching. Adalynn and Allison basically split time last year and both did very well. With another year of experience under their belts we look forward to another good season in the circle. From what we’ve seen so far, I also feel that we will be solid on defense with a good mix of experienced returners with a couple of talented new players added to the mix. Hitting is somewhat of an unknown at this point until we get a chance to get outside and see more live pitching.”
As for the Heartland Conference and District 6 and this season’s schedule: “I’m never sure what to expect from the Heartland Conference. Last year our only conference losses were to Danville and with graduation they lost of their starters, including a dominant pitcher in Morgan Wagner. District 6 is always a competitive conference and I’m sure this year will be no different. We lost to Bellefonte in the District 6 finals last year and they, like Danville, lost a number of starters to graduation. Programs like Danville and Bellefonte always have players coming through the system to fill the vacancies but it’s difficult to judge them this early in the season.”
“Our Heartland schedule is 16 games which only leaves us room for four non-conference games. This year our non-conference games will be Mifflin County, State College, Bellefonte and Clearfield. All of which will be very tough opponents who will prepare us for a playoff run this year.”
And as for goals and expectations? “Our team goals will be to win the Heartland Conference, the District 6 title and to win the PIAA state title. I expect this year’s team to be very competitive. They have the potential to be a very good team. Barring any unforeseen circumstances (or pandemics) this could be a very exciting year for Central Mountain softball.”
The new season is to begin this Friday at home with non-conference foe Mifflin County and a trip next Monday to another non-league foe in State College.
