Changes and Challenges Await Bucktail Softball in Three-peat Quest
By Bees O’Brien
FARWELL- A brand new scoreboard in left field won’t be the only change for the Lady Bucks’ softball team in 2025. For the first time in a long time, Bucktail will be without sensational standout Mak Wagner, who graduated at the end of last season. The loss of Wagner is just the first of a few changes in 2025.
Northeast Bradford, Cowanesque Valley and Sayre, all NTL programs have been reclassified back down to 1A in District IV. All three spent the past two seasons up at 2A, a time in which Bucktail steamrolled to a pair of District IV titles.
Bucktail’s schedule in non conference play will get an adjustment too. The additions of 3A Hughesville and Lewisburg and 1A contenders Canton and District 6 playoff stalwarts Moshannon Valley and West Branch will only make the Lady Bucks that much better. Bucktail will also meet Oswayo Valley out of District 9.
Within the Mid Penn Conference, many are wondering just how good defending champions Muncy will be following a big loss to graduation, mainly in departing pitcher Nolah Moyer. Montgomery and Sullivan County both promise to be back in the mix and Northwest and an improving Sugar Valley team could be interesting matchups. Millville, Benton and CMVT will be looking to round out the bottom half of the conference. St. John Neumann will not be fielding a softball team in 2025.
The Lady Bucks return a pile of offensive weapons and a ton of experience.
Bucktail’s top hitter in Eva Sockman is back at third base. Sockman’s .545 average, 5 home runs and 36 runs batted in are all back. Bucktail’s top run scorer in Lola English is set to command a Bucktail outfield that will have some inexperience, but nothing the .519 hitter from a season ago can’t manage. English also popped three home runs. English scored 40 runs in 2024.
Kendall Wagner is back at first base. The junior hit .458 with 10 doubles and a home run last year.
Bucktail returns even more heavy hitters from last year’s team that scored 10 or more runs in 12 games, including their first seven contests.
Senior leader Matti Mason, a Mid Penn all-star a season ago will once again be the Bucktail catcher. Mason batted .442 with a pair of home runs. Makenna Stone’s .382 from a season ago gives head coach Mike Poorman yet another weapon in his lineup.
Angel Kmetz finished strong in 2024 and she is the planned at second base. Kmetz hit .143 a season ago, but had a huge RBI double in the Lady Bucks 13-2 win over Sullivan County in the district title victory.
Becca Conway is a newcomer that coach Poorman mentioned that could be a factor in the outfield.
Freshman pitcher Carrie Ditty will have a tall order and big shoes to fill in the circle for Bucktail as she will be tasked with taking over for Bucktail’s ace Mak Wagner. Ditty has been putting in the long hours throughout the year to help her prepare for the varsity level and what District IV will have to offer.
Poorman also has experienced pitchers in Stone and English in reserve if need be.
Bucktail will have already scrimmaged Jersey, but their first real taste of regular season will be at home March 24 when they host the Lady Spartans of Hughesville. Later in the week, on Thursday Bucktail will open Mid Penn play against Sugar Valley Rural Charter School.
