Council Rock North Softball Preview

COUNCIL ROCK NORTH SOFTBALL PREVIEW

Coach:  Susan Yee (5^th Year)

Assistant coaches: Farryl Groder (5^th Year), Jessica Donello (2^nd Year), Maddie Decker (1^st Year)

Last year’s record:  8-8 SOL, 11-10 overall (Lost in 1^st Round of Districts)

Notable losses: None

Key returners:
Taylor Gearhart (Senior - Shortstop)
Molly Sheehy (Senior - Catcher / 1^st Base)
Sierra Klein (Junior - IF / OF)
Lucy Mills (Sophomore – Pitcher)
Olivia Schlindwein (Sophomore – Pitcher)
Zoe Hardy (Sophomore – Catcher / 3^rd Base)
Zoe Hornstein (Sophomore – CF / OF)
Haley Edelman (Sophomore – OF / IF)
Kayla Ripper (Sophomore – OF / IF)
Ellie Bonn (Sophomore – OF)
Chelsea Seiler (Sophomore – IF)
Katie Wilkoski (Sophomore – 1^st Base / 3^rd Base)

Others to watch:
Maddie Seiple (Sophomore – 1^st Base)
Payton Helsman (Sophomore – Catcher / OF)
Evie Passanante (Senior – DP / Catcher / CIF)

Strengths: We return our entire varsity team from last season, plus have added a few to a team that qualified for districts despite having no seniors last year. The team is excited and hungry to improve on the strides they made together last season and have been pushing each other to achieve higher goals.  This team also has the most parity from top to bottom of any team I’ve coached at CR North, and a lot of versatile players who can do a good job at a variety of positions.  That depth should allow us to potentially play around with some positioning, be able to make adjustments when needed, and also keep the girls pushing one another to have every player on the roster prepared to step up when their time comes.

Questions Marks: Last year’s team contained a large number of freshmen playing key roles.  With an unknown group, we were able to sneak up on some people and surprise them.  That will not be the case this year.  Knowing that, will our team continue to stay hungry, or will we become complacent and experience a sophomore slump?  Only time will tell.

Outlook: “Last year’s team was EXTREMELY young.  The goal was to learn what it took to succeed at the varsity level and to earn a spot in/experience the district tournament.  Since achieving that goal and having seen the level of play it takes to succeed, our goal this time around is to take the next step and not only make the playoffs but try and make a run through the playoffs.  The girls will definitely be challenged in the pursuit of that goal, as we face a daunting Suburban One slate, as well as an upgraded non-league schedule from last year.  However, we are excited to embrace that challenge, and hope it helps us rise to being prepared for playoff success come May.”