Lady Bucks Lose Three Juniors
by Katie Ditty
FARWELL – The loss of a few key players has left the Bucktail Lady Bucks softball team with some big shoes to fill.
It started when three-sport athlete Meredith Blessard moved to Maine with her family over the summer. Then Natasha Peck tore her ACL at the beginning of the basketball season. And just recently, Maria Morgan opted to concentrate her efforts towards her traveling AAU basketball team.
Without the three juniors, coach Lynn Gavlock is expecting others to step up their games and become leaders on the field.
Michaela Hills, a senior, has taken on pitching duties the last three years and will continue to be the number one choice for Gavlock on the mound.
Sophomore Paige Sockman quickly jumped into the catcher’s position, and has shown great effort in filling the gap left by Morgan. Sockman has a strong arm and great potential as an underclassman. She will also act as a relief pitcher for Hills.
The remainder of the infield will be led by junior Abagail Ransom at short stop. She is joined by seniors Cierra Casper, second base, and Tiffany Helgran, at third base, and junior Tiffany Werts in her first year at first base.
Outfield this year will be comprised of senior Mary Fecteau and sophomores Bridget Gardner, Brandy Gregory, Katie Adams and newcomer Leela Singh. All will compete for starting positions as the season gets started.
“We’ve had to move girls all around the field this year. There is a lot of potential and we’re looking to have a good season,” said Gavlock. She also added that she is very happy with the continued support of Peck, who comes to practice regularly and helps in any way that she can. “She’s still a huge part of this team, whether she’s playing or not.”
Hills, Ransom, and Sockman will also be the core of the batting line-up this year. “I am setting the standard high for them because I know that they can be leaders. I am depending on them to inspire the rest of the team and keep their spirits up,” added Gavlock. “Cierra (Casper) has been looking really good in the batting cage as well.”
There is a lot of work to be done. Getting outside and putting everything together is the main goal of this week.
The Lady Bucks are scheduled to take the field this Friday at 4 p.m. against South Williamsport, but it is uncertain at this point if the field will be ready for them.
