Adoree Gardner, Donegal, senior, catcher, corner outfield, will major in nursing at Alvernia College and play field hockey in the fall before deciding whether to also play softball
How did you get started playing softball and what has that journey been like?
Kurt Chiong is looking to lead the Manheim Township boys tennis team to a repeat of the Lancaster-Lebanon League Championship the team won last year.
"We have a new coach (Shane Holbein). We really like him. Our practices have been physically intense," Chiong said at the Spring Sports Media Day hosted by LNP | LancasterOnline.
Kyler Buckwalter knows success. He just finished his senior season as a member of Lancaster Mennonite’s Lancaster-Lebanon League championship basketball team. He hopes to carry that success to the baseball diamond.
This spring Mennonite will field a small squad with just six seniors. Kyle sees two freshmen who could compete immediately.
Kyle, as the catcher on the team, thinks Mennonite has the best pitching staff in years with ace Jack Snader backed up by Ian Yen and freshman Asher KenKelen.
Key Section 4 opponents on LM’s schedule are Pequea Valley and Annville.
Ali Matys, Octorara, junior, catcher
Peyton Gilbert says his life goal is to “pitch in the MLB!” Yes, that is … in Major League Baseball!
Accomplishing Peyton’s goal may be a short time in the future, however right now he says his teammate at Columbia, Cameron McClair, and he are the hardest throwing pair of pitchers in Section 4, if not the entire L-L League.
Peyton’s fastball was clocked at 91 mph last year and he has worked on his strength over the winter to increase his pitch speed to the mid 90s.
Kira Roark, Solanco, senior, right-handed pitcher, plans to attend Shippensburg University to study communications/journalism and play softball
How long have you been playing softball, and what were some of your highlights?
Zach Zuber, occasionally called “ZZ Top” or “Snooze”, will be a four-year starting pitcher for Lancaster Catholic. When not pitching, Zach plays centerfield, shortstop and second base. He plans to be the ace of the pitching staff and lead LCHS in excelling this year.
Catholic traditionally has good baseball, however this year the team plans to bounce back from a 9-10 record and compete to win Section 4 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
State doubles champion Cooper Lehman graduated from Hempfield, but the Black Knights have plenty of firepower returning.
Will Keppel, who played linebacker on the football team, says as a captain he's ready to lead Hempfield to more titles, with his eye on the league and district championships.
"We want to build a culture and strong bonds among the team," said Keppel. The Black Knights are expected to be contenders.
Paige Hughes, Manheim Township, senior, catcher, third base, plans to attend Meredith College, Raleigh, North Carolina, and play softball
Do you expect to see action at both positions?
In his senior year, Ethan Transue competes as a three-year starter at shortstop. His Penn Manor team returns two starters from a year ago, and Ethan sees the younger players contributing by stepping up and getting the Comets off to a good start.
According to Ethan, Penn Manor’s off-season workouts are a key to this season -- practicing three days a week in the gym, including batting versus pitching machines that served up fastballs and curves.