CURWENSVILLE—-The Curwensville Lady Tide softball team will have a tough act to follow after last year’s outstanding season. Winning the Moshannon Valley League (4-0); coming in second in District 9-A and reaching the PIAA Quarter-finals in 2006 the Lady Tide are just as confident this year with 7 returning starters (all letter winners). Head Coach Allen Leigey is anxious to get underway with that much talent on hand as the Lady Tide open up at home Friday against Clearfield, weather permitting.
The opening day lineup is fairly well set with seniors Dana Johnson (.569) behind the plate, shortstop Dani Struble (.439), Kristi Newpher will anchor second base and Ronna Knepp at first base. Underclassmen hold down the other spots with junior Samantha Haney (.412) in leftfield, sophomores Ashley Demchak (.400) at third, Shannon McDonald (.351) in right and freshmen Tess Bloom and Sara Clark along with sophomore Erin Bressler will all see time in center. On the mound the majority of the time will be sophomore Holly Lanseberry (10-3). Others seeing action will be sophomore Morgan Peterman who will be utilized in both the infield and outfield. Freshman Stacey Johnson will spend time in the infield and pick up some pitching duties along with Bressler. Junior Lauren McKeown, an infielder, currently is out with an injury and may return sometime during the season.
Coach Leigey stated that “Our potential is there to once again make it to the District 9 finals, compete for the Mo Valley league championship and go deeper into the state playoffs.” Leigey also echoed “Underclassmen will need to step forward to make any expectations and goals become a reality.”
Assisting Leigey will be coaches Ron Johnson, Todd Bracken, Zak Young and Ron Rea.
ROSTER
SENIORS-Dana Johnson-C, Ronna Knepp-1B, Kristi Newpher-2B and Dani Struble-SS.
JUNIORS-Samantha Haney-LF, Lauren McKeon (INJ.), Christina Rhine, Michelle Wise.
SOPHOMORES-Erin Bressler-LF/P, Janel Brion, Ashley Demchak-3B, Holly Lansberry-P,
Shannon McDonald-RF, Morgan Peterman-OF/INF, Jeane Stiles and Jenessa Stiles.
FRESHMEN-Erin Askey, Lindsey Barrett, Tess Bloom-CF, Sara Clark-CF, Rachel Holland,
Stacey Johnson-INF/P, Jolene Miller and Chantel Read.
SCHEDULE (HOME CAPS):
MARCH: 23 – CLEARFIELD (4:15); 27 – DUBOIS CENTRAL CATHOLIC (4:15);
29 – REDBANK VALLEY (4:15).
APRIL: 2 – GLENDALE (4:15); 4 – RIDGWAY(4:15); 9 – at west branch (4:30);
10 – SHEFFIELD (4:15); 12 – at brockway (4:15);
17 – at harmony (4:15); 18 – JOHNSONBURG (4:15); 20 – at st. mary’s (4:15);
24 – at brookville (4:15); 27 – MOSHANNON VALLEY (4:15).
MAY: 2 – at punxsutawney (4:15); 3 – at dubois central catholic (4:15); 8 – ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC (4:15); 10 – at johnsonburg (4:15); 14 – at ridgway (4:15); 16 – at sheffield (4:15); 18 – BROCKWAY (4:15).