Lady Wildcat Softball Ranked No. 1 by MaxPreps
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP — MaxPreps, a national scholastic ranking organization, has put a little extra pressure on the Central Mountain girls’ softball team. MaxPreps has just unveiled its preseason rankings and listed the Lady Wildcats as number one in the state.
Coach Dave Peters is working with a squad of 27 to be split between varsity and junior varsity. Regular season opener is scheduled for Monday, March 23, home with Hollidaysburg.
MaxPreps listed its five top teams:
1. Central Mountain
2014 finish: 18-4, lost to eventual AAAA state champion Souderton in the state quarterfinals
Head coach: Dave Peters
Senior shortstop Jessica Strouse, a two-time all-state choice, tops the list of players back for the Wildcats. Strouse hit .462 last year and is committed to Lock Haven. Senior third baseman Bree Hilty batted in the high-.462, senior first baseman Mariah Major also hit .400 and junior Sarah Reeder will be the most versatile player on the Wildcats, able to do everything from pitch to play infield. Junior Emily Strouse, Jessica’s younger sister, appears to be the Wildcats’ best pitcher back after going 4-1 and pitching well in relief during the state playoffs.
2. Parkland (Allentown)
2014 finish: 24-1, lost in the AAAA state semifinals and lost to state finalist Central Dauphin
Head coach: Barry Search
The Trojans have back senior second baseman Samantha Pickar, who hit over .300, senior shortstop Emma Varrato, who batted .350, and they’ll be joined by senior outfielders Madison Marshall (.400) and Abby Fritzinger.
3. DuBois
2014 finish: 19-4, lost in the state AAAA semifinals to eventual state champion Souderton
Head coach: Rick McClelland
The Beavers return a strong core behind the pair of all-state senior sisters Cheyenne McKee and Sierra McKee. Cheyenne is the starting shortstop and Sierra is the Beavers’ catcher.
4. Souderton
2014 finish: 21-5, won the AAAA state championship
Head coach: Stephanie Rummel
The Indians return a good nucleus from the team that won the school’s first state softball championship. Senior catcher Morgan Yoder, who hit over .300, junior outfielders Dayna Shelly, who batted close to .400, and Angie Carty top the list of returning players. Junior Missy Wiley will be converted from shortstop to third, and juniorSavannah Bostwick will play second base. Freshman Alex Scheeler will be Souderton’s top pitcher.
5. Avon Grove (West Grove)
2014 finish: 20-5
Head coach: Julie Hatfield
The Red Devils made history last year, taking home the Ches-Mont League Championship as well as winning the PIAA District 1 Championship for the first time in school history. The Red Devils return Pennsylvania Gatorade State Player of the year in junior pitcher Maggie Balint, who finished the year with 358 strikeouts. Balint’s counterpart, senior catcher Alyssa Herion, who hit .403 with six home runs and 21 RBIs, is also back.
