Lady Wildcats looking for playoff redemption in 2024

By Bees O’Brien

MILL HALL- Central Mountain’s 2023 softball season ended sooner than expected. Following an impressive 16-3 season, CM would fall in the first round of the PIAA 5A state tournament to Shaler 2-1.

Despite a 16-4 record, the Lady Wildcats couldn’t help feel that their premature exit from the state tournament left them searching for more.

Central is back again, returning a majority of their talent from a season ago and looking for some playoff redemption.

Head coach Fred Caldwell has stressed that basic fundamentals and making the routine plays will go a long way for his team. Advancing further in the postseason and surviving a brutal regular season schedule will depend on that.

Central Mountain does return Addie McKeague. McKeague was dominant in the circle for the Lady Wildcats and did a huge bulk of the pitching last season. When McKeague gets a break from pitching duties, Caldwell has several options.

Madisyn Wian and Camdyn Weaver will also see time pitching. Wian will be a senior and Weaver a freshman.

Ava Doyle, Taylor Doyle, Cora Myers and Cirstyn Watson are expected to be players that will give Central Mountain immediate impact.

The Lady Wildcats will return an explosive lineup led by Katelyn Bowman’s .413 average. Madison Hardy batted .397 with a team-high 8 home runs. Madisyn Wian hit .397 as well.

CM’s schedule is loaded, both within the PHAC and their nonconference slate. Central Mountain will open on the road March 22 at District 9 powers Dubois.

They also have a pair of challenging nonconference home games against an explosive Troy offense on April 6. The Lady Trojans led District 4 in runs scored and home runs a season ago.

They will also host District 9 heavy hitters St. Mary’s on May 7.

Nonconference games that could pose problems for the Lady Wildcats also include games with Mifflin County, State College, South Williamsport and Bellefonte.

Conference opponents Jersey Shore and Williamsport will be looking for a league title too, which could mean some stiff competition for the Lady Wildcats.

Midd West, Danville, Shikellamy and Selinsgrove round out challenging games within the PHAC.

South Renovo native Matt Burrows, Matt Lininger, Wayne Haas and Greg Nau make up the remainder of head coach Caldwell’s staff.

Taylor Thompson has taken over the JV program with assistant coach Gracie Saar.