Central Mountain softball: many veterans return for defending district champs
By John Lipez
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – The Central Mountain softball program has been on quite the roll in recent years and with letterwinners up and down the lineup back, 2023 again holds great promise.
The Lady Wildcats of coach Fred Caldwell went 22-3 a year ago, including 15-1 in the Heartland Conference and claimed another District 6 title. And the bulk of that roster returns, other than the loss of the since graduated shortstop Caitlyn Watson.
Given that nucleus back, coach Caldwell was asked about expectations for this year. “Last year was a successful year for us on the field and we hope to build on that success this year. My goals for the team are the same every year; to see the team improve throughout the regular season, win our conference, win districts and win a state title.”
Watson was a team leader/anchor a year ago and coach Caldwell said replacing her will be a challenge: “Finding one player to replace a talented senior like Caitlyn Watson is difficult if not impossible. It will take a combination of players stepping up to fill that void in order to continue the success of last year. We have a very talented group of returning players as well as a number of new players who can push the envelope to make the team better.”
31 players tried out for the team this spring and the coach said the talent level made player decisions extremely difficult. He said early in the season fans will see many of the familiar faces starting on varsity with more frequent substitutions to give some of the young players a chance to gain experience and show what they are capable of doing.
The varsity roster will be made of mostly seniors and juniors this year with a couple of sophomores in the mix as well. Look to see more sophomores and a few freshmen making appearances on varsity at times throughout the season.
An obvious strength for CM will be inside the circle, two standout hurlers returning, and coach Caldwell told The Record they continue to put in the work: “Both of the pitchers from last year, Adalynn McKeague and Allison Lininger, are back I expect to see more of the same from them. Like most of the players on the team, they had busy travel ball seasons and came back this year ready to go. This year we have also added Joslyn Schultz, to the varsity roster and she will also see some time in the circle.”
There will be challenges when it comes to the Lady Wildcat schedule. It has changed a bit this year with a revised Heartland Conference I slate in Williamsport, Shikellamy, Selinsgrove, Jersey Shore, Mifflinburg and Shamokin. Coach Caldwell said all should be challenges, “all of those teams well coached opponents; it’s hard to pick one over the other.”
Non-conference opponents will include DuBois, Mifflin County, Danville, State College, Northeast Bradford, North Penn Liberty and South Williamsport. There are no ‘easy games’ according to the coach “and every game, conference and non-conference, will be a challenge.” “At the end of the season, we should be well prepared for the play offs.”
First game of the year is scheduled for Friday, March 24, home versus Dubois. Senior Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 6 against Northeast Bradford.
