CURWENSVILLE – With another District 9 playoff team in 2018, the Curwensville Lady Tide enter this season with even higher hopes after the 11-9 record posted last year.
And for Allen Leigey, Curwensville head coach, now in his 18th season, things are bright, not just because of the number of letter winners returning, but because of the quality of those letter winners.
Under Leigey, now 240-129 in his coaching career, the Lady Tide have two PIAA state titles, both in “A” in 2007 and 2009. Curwensville has three District 9 championships, two in “A” in 2007 and 2009, and one “AA” crown in 2013.
Last year ended with the Lady Tide losing in the first round of the District playoffs to Moniteau 7-3 in “AA” first round action to finish the year at 11-10.
Eight letter winners are returning from last season and Leigey has a roster of 16 players to work with, although nine of those are sophomores (3) and freshmen (6).
The infield for the Lady Tide is set with junior Lauren Tozer at first base, sophomore Logan Sheeder at second, Abby Pentz also a sophomore will start at shortstop and freshman Mackenzie Wall gets the nod at third. Pentz, Tozer and Sheeder all are returning letter winners.
In the Curwensville outfield a freshman in Taylor Luzier will be in center and will be flanked by Ally Hess, a sophomore in right, and Ariel Zattoni, a senior in left field. Both Hess and Zattoni also lettered last season.
Returning behind the plate will be letter winner Bailey Bloom, a junior and in the circle will be a freshman in Joslynne Freyer.
Two other freshmen will be the DP (designated player) at time in Alyssa Bakaysa and Bella Guthrie. Guthrie will also see some time at second base
The Lady Tide open the season at home on Friday against Elk County Catholic at 4:15 pm.
ROSTER:
SENIORS: *Kelsey Bumbarger, Brittany Wagner, Shawna Wriglesworth, *Ariel Zattoni
JUNIORS: *Bailey Bloom, *Lauren Tozer, *Alexandria Zattoni
SOPHOMORES: *Ally Hess, *Abby Pentz, *Logan Sheeder
FRESHMEN: Alyssa Bakaysa, Maddie Butler, Joslynne Freyer, Bella Guthrie, Taylor Luzier, Mackenzie Wall
*Denotes returning letter winner .
SCHEDULE:
MARCH: 22 ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC, 26 at DuBois Central Catholic, 28 at Brockway
APRIL: 2 at Clearfield – 4:30 pm, 5 WEST BRANCH, 8 at Elk County Catholic, 10 KANE, 12 at Glendale – 4:30 pm, 16 SHEFFIELD – DH -3 pm, 18 JOHNSONBURG, 2 DUBOIS CENTRAL CATHOLIC, 25 BROCKWAY, 27 (SAT) NORTH STAR – DH 11am, 29 PURCHASE LINE
MAY: 3 MOSHANNON VALLEY, 7 at Kane, 13 HARMONY, 15 at Johnsonburg
NOTE: Home games in CAPS. All games start at 4:15 pm unless otherwise noted.
