CB South Trio to Play Collegiate Softball

On Thursday, May 15, 2025, CB South seniors Ella Wheeler, Riley Theis & Chrissy Ivers were recognized for committing to play collegiate softball. (Photos provided courtesy of CB South)

Chrissy Ivers – Lebanon Valley College (Softball)
Major: Physical Therapy
Final list of colleges: Lebanon Valley, Arcadia, Centenary
Reasons for choosing Lebanon Valley: “LVC has the six-year PT program. I got on campus, and I just loved it – I loved the coaches, and the softball program seemed really great. They’ve been doing really well.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in softball at the collegiate level? “I started playing softball when I was five because everyone in my family played softball, and I never really stopped since then. I played for Warrington when I was younger and then played travel and have been doing it ever since.”
Coach Matt McLaughlin: “Christy Ivers is committed to Lebanon Valley College where she will pitch. I messed up with Chrissy. I didn’t give Chrissy an opportunity early enough because I was so focused on velocity. I didn’t realize how good Chrissy was until I put her into big spots. She has good velocity, but what makes Chrissy super special is how well she moves the ball. Her spin – she’s at the top on the team, I think. Her ball moved the most, and that was very helpful in us going deeper into the season and even into the playoffs. She’s an outstanding pitcher. She’s going to be phenomenal for Lebanon Valley.
“More importantly, she’s just an incredible human being. She’s the type of person where – as a coach – you can mess up, and you’re not going to hear from her. She – of all people – should have come straight to me and said, ‘Coach, you’re screwing this one up. I should be on that mound.’ I’ve always thought so highly of her. She’s the one player I’ll remember for the rest of my life that I didn’t open up the right doors for her in time, and I will remember how she didn’t judge me or hold it against me for my misstep, so that kid’s got a huge upside, and I’m super proud of her.”
About Chrissy:
Favorite food: Penne vodka
Favorite movie: Parent Trap
Favorite music: Country

Riley Theis – DeSales University (Softball)
Major: Nursing
Final list of colleges: DeSales, Alvernia, Misericordia
Reasons for choosing DeSales: “I chose DeSales because I love the campus. For nursing, the softball team is able to work around the schedule, and I believe DeSales has one of the highest nursing programs in the state.”
What was the progression that led you to playing softball at the collegiate level? “I started playing softball when I was round five or six. I started pitching at eight years old, and I started loving it even more, and I didn’t want to stop.”
Coach Matt McLaughlin: “Riley Theis will be going to DeSales University, and she will be a pitcher/utility player there because Riley can do it all. She can play infield, outfield and pitch. Her strength, as far as I’m concerned, is her pitching. She was our horse in her junior year, and she got hurt. Unfortunately, in her senior year, she wasn’t able to do as much as we would have loved her to do because she was hurt. She spent a good deal of time getting healthy.
“DeSales is really lucky to have her because she’s a leader. She was actually pitching in the North Penn game when we got knocked out of the playoffs last year when North Penn won the state championship. She got hit in the nose and ended up having to go to the hospital. But (during the game), she refused to go to the hospital and said she was pitching. We tried to let her pitch against everyone’s better judgment, and then the umps finally wouldn’t let her because they couldn’t get the blood stopped. She’s a true leader and a warrior. DeSales is lucky to have her. She’s so good, and hopefully, she will stay healthy.”
About Riley:
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite movie: 10 Things I Hate About You
Favorite music: Country

Ella Wheeler – Thomas Jefferson University (Softball)
Major: Exercise Science
Reasons for choosing Jefferson: “Jefferson came out of nowhere. I went to visit. I really liked the coach. I liked the way he said things were going to go, and the campus was really nice. It’s D2, and it’s a good balance because I love softball, but I also think keeping a balance of other things is important too. I’m very big on being part of a team that grows together. I don’t want a team where players are coming in and out.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in softball at the collegiate level? “I started playing softball when I was four – I started playing because my brothers were always playing baseball, and I was always dragged out in the front yard with them. It was something that I was good at. I joined a travel team, and it kind of took off from there.”
Coach Matt McLaughlin: “Ella is going to continue her softball career at Jefferson University, where I fully expect she’ll be a significant contributor as a freshman. She had an awesome year with South softball. She ended up being the SOL Colonial Division Player of the Year. So not only was she first team all-league outfield - she was Player of the Year as voted by all of the coaches across the league, so that’s a big award. She went on to win another significant award – first team all-state, so Jefferson is getting a starter as far as I’m concerned.
“Ella is an amazing hitter. What we probably don’t talk about enough is her speed. She’s so fast. There were balls hit in the outfield – I watched her make plays in right field from center field. She’s just that fast, so her speed, her arm strength, and I think her top strength is her ability to hit the ball – just hit it hard and hit it often. She’s so talented, and I’m super happy for her.”
About Ella:
Favorite food: Chicken tenders
Favorite TV show: Gilmore Girls
Favorite music/artist: Country/Brett Young