Pennridge Softball has Memorable Senior Night

Pennridge softball had a memorable Senior Night reunion on their home softball field. To have your team’s senior recognition included, send photos/info to SuburbanOneSports@comcast.net. (Photos provided courtesy of Pennridge softball)

Pennridge softball – like every other spring team – did not have a season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the seniors still made some lasting memories together on the diamond, wearing their caps and gowns for part of their Senior Night recognition on their home field at Druckenmiller Park. The team’s four seniors – Wiss Chiappetta, Gianna Iadonisi, Ashlyn McClelland and Victoria Moscariello – were set to lead a Rams’ squad with high expectations.

Coach Wendy Iadonisi said:  “It was heartbreaking for all of us, and for the seniors, even more so. If you’re going through a program four years and you do all of that supporting of seniors throughout the other three years, then it’s finally your turn to be in the spotlight. Really, there’s no other way to describe it besides heartbreaking. I think they handled it very, very well as mature young ladies, which I think is a tribute to their parents and hopefully coaching, but you can’t change what’s going on in the world. You just have to make the most of what you’ve got, and I think that’s what the pictures show – they were making the most of the opportunity they had.

“Now it’s just going to be – ‘What if we were able to do this?’ They’ll have those ‘what ifs.’ We only had one scrimmage, but they looked so good in that one scrimmage. It’s disappointing we didn’t get to see what we had. I’m definitely disappointed for my daughter and all the girls, but for Ashlyn (McClelland), she would have been our starting pitcher. She saw limited time last year, so this would have been her time to lead the team. She had such a great showing in our first scrimmage, and we had really high hopes for what was going to happen. Even through the whole beginning, you had in your head – ‘Okay, we’ll go back in two weeks.’ It just never came true.

“The seniors were quiet leaders – players the young girls felt comfortable going up to. They never felt they were inferior to the seniors, and you could see that with the way they would support each other at practices and how encouraging they were of the underclassmen. All four of them have known each other for a long time. Ashlyn, Victoria (Moscariello) and Gianna (Iadonisi) played through middle school together, so they have a comfort level with each other also, and you could see that when they were at practices, trying to organize things for the younger girls. They had a good camaraderie, and the younger girls fed off of that.”

Victoria’s message to the coaches:

Coach Wendy,

Knowing you since middle school and my friend’s mom, now my high school varsity coach, you have taught me SO much and improved my skills over the years. You made me a better player. This year would’ve definitely been OUR year to shine because of ALL your hard work of coaching us in each and every game, even if it wasn’t our best game. I want to thank you for these last two years, I wouldn’t trade it for the world! I will be missing you as my Coach and Thank you so much for everything.

Coach Steve,

Even though I wasn’t a primary outfielder, you believed in me and put me out there because you knew I could do it! You ALWAYS gave me tips to improve myself through offense and defense. You had so much belief in me, and that’s what made me become a successful player, because you made me challenge myself! Thank you for ALL you taught me, and I will miss seeing you as my first base coach.

Gianna’s message to the coaches:

Coach Wendy,

You are my mom so I’m forced to like you...BUT, I do have to say that YOU are the BEST coach I ever had. I love you mom!

Coach Steve,

I loved having you as my coach even if it was for one year. But it was the best year I had playing high school softball. I have known you for a while and you never fail to put a smile on my face. Thank you!

Wiss’s message to the coaches:

Coach Wendy,

Thank you for turning this program around and showing it some love! I appreciate all you have done.... I will miss playing for you.

Coach Steve,

Thank you for all you’ve done, especially being the Gum Plug! I enjoyed playing for you the past two years and I will miss you next year!

Ashlyn’s message to the coaches:

Coach Wendy,

Thank you Coach Wendy - it was a pleasure to have the chance to work with you again from being my first pitching coach in 10u to being my high school varsity coach. It would have been exciting to see how far we could have gone this season! I will miss you...

Coach Steve,

Thank you Coach Steve for never stopping believing in me over the past two years. You were always there to give me positive feedback and encouragement during practices. It was such a pleasure to work with you and I will miss you very much!