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The 2024 season was kind to local softball teams.
Cambridge Springs and Saegertown hoisted District 10 trophies, Maplewood and Cochranton played for a D-10 title while Conneaut and Meadville each played in the Class 4A semifinal round.
A bevy of talent graduated, but plenty returns this spring. Fifteen all-region selections and three all-staters return to their respective dugouts.
Meadville
Meadville’s high-powered offense led the Bulldogs to a first round bye in the District 10 playoffs, but the ‘Dogs fell flat in the semifinals against Hickory.
Graduated from last year’s 14-4 team is all-state utility player Rylee Kregel. Rylee Kregel had 10 home runs, 34 RBIs, 27 hits and 18 runs with a .474 percentage. In the circle, she struck out 75 and allowed 12 earned runs.
Returning is all-state selections Addyson Kregel and Kendall Mealy, as well as all-region players Teagan Reichel and Lila Kightlinger. Addyson Kregel led the team in average at .485 and added 32 hits, 25 runs and 22 RBIs. Mealy had 31 hits, 33 runs and 18 RBIs at a .463 average. Reichel added 27 hits and 17 RBIs at a .458 average.
Kightlinger added 23 hits, 13 RBIs and nine runs with a .411 average. Kightlinger, a junior, struck out 83 with 22 walks and 22 earned runs.
First-year head coach Darren Mealy said he will lean heavily on his experienced upperclassmen this season.
“Kendall, Lila, Teagan is a stud catcher, no doubt about it. Grace Curtiss at first, Addy Kregel, all our seniors and juniors we will rely on,” Mealy said. “Especially with some freshmen out there who are getting used to the whole speed of varsity. It’s kinda like having coaches on the field because they go through everything with them.”
Curtiss will be the top relief to Kightlinger. Freshman Sofee Pierce could also see time in the circle.
“Grace has looked really good this winter. She wasn’t planning on pitching, but I told her we needed her,” Mealy said. “Hopefully we can get Sofee some time too.”
“Obviously everyone’s goal is to win the region, then compete in District 10. I think we have a solid chance as anyone make it there,” Mealy said. “We’ve been there the past two years, but I think we’re ready to advance a bit. I think the girls are hungry and it’s a matter of when we get to that point of how good of ball are we playing.”
Meadville will battle McDowell, Erie, Titusville, Warren, General McLane, Harbor Creek and Fort LeBoeuf for the Region 6 crown.
Conneaut
The Conneaut Eagles finished last season 8-11 overall, but earned a postseason berth. Conneaut beat Franklin 11-8 before losing to Cathedral Prep in the semifinals. This season, Conneaut dropped to Class 3A and will be in an Erie County-heavy region with Cathedral Prep, Northwestern, North East, Girard, Fairview and Corry.
Conneaut’s lineup looks a bit different this spring, with the top four batting averages gone. The top returning batter is Hailey Gilliland, who posted a .318 average with 21 hits and 19 runs last year. She will also be leaned on for leadership.
Behind the plate, junior Riley Miller will be the full-time catcher.
“Riley is behind the plate this year and has been working hard getting to know all four of our pitchers for the upcoming season,” Onderko said. “She has been putting in extra work all offseason with getting prepared for behind the plate as well as at the plate.”
Carmen Bowman will start in center field with Abby Potts at third base. Onderko said Bowman has the athleticism to reach a lot of balls in the outfield, while Potts is a natural third baseman and will have a more permanent spot in the lineup.
Conneaut’s pitching staff includes Kaylin Faust, Morgan Wallace, Ella Fuller and Taylor Klemm. Faust got the start in the opener, with Wallace and Fuller each seeing time in relief.
“We feel confident that every one of them can step into the circle and perform for us as needed,” Onderko said.
First-year starters include Faust, Wallace, Bailey Absten, Julia Johnson, Charlee Sharp, Jordyn Bartic, Caly Moser, Callie Summerville, Ella Fuller, Emma Fuller and Bella Absten.
“All of these ladies are to expected to step up this year for us, we are an extremely young team this year. We will have a lot of moving parts, trying to find the best combinations of players that make us the most competitive team possible,” Onderko said. “This team is going to be a fun team to be around, they are eager to learn and want to get better each and every day. We want to look, practice, and play better, each day that we step onto the field. This team will look and perform totally different from what they started the year because of their attitude and willingness to learn and get better.”
Maplewood
Maplewood played for a District 10 Class 2A championship last season, which the Tigers lost to Saegertown. Graduated from Maplewood’s title run are all-region performers Sheila Despenes, Madyson Banik and Izzy Somerville.
This season, head coach Jeremy Post will look to Sophia Niedbala, Rhinn Post and Brianna Kope to lead the way. Kope led the team in batting average at .400 last year and added 20 hits with 15 RBIs. Niedbala led the Tigers in hits with 22 and Post was the team’s top pitcher.
Post struck out 131 batters with 40 walks and 55 earned runs as a junior. Now a senior, Post will once again be the top option.
“Senior Rhinn Post remains our No. 1. Unfortunately injury has sidelined sophomore Jorja Holeva for the season,” Post said. “Freshman Mackenzie Gerow is looking like a strong addition to our pitching group.”
Mylee Crawford and Ella Frazier will move into consistent starting roles this season after playing sparingly as underclassmen last year. Freshmen Sam Bernoski, Rylan Duke and Gerow will also see significant roles.
“The goal remains the same as in past years — to win a region title. We have put together a tougher schedule for this season than we have been playing for the past few seasons,” Post said. “I expect that we will have a tight-knit group that will stick together as we learn to play with the intensity that is required to reach that goal as well as more postseason success.”
Maplewood will play Cathedral Prep twice, Northwestern, Conneaut, Girard and Union City in non-region play. In Region 2 play, the Tigers will battle Cambridge Springs, Rocky Grove, Saegertown, Cochranton and Lakeview.
Cochranton
The Cochranton Cardinals finished last season 13-5 and as the District 10 Class 1A runner-up to rival Cambridge Springs.
This spring, the Cardinals have a new head coach in the dugout and bring back two all-region players. Thomas Haynes, a longtime assistant coach, will take over for Mark McGuire.
Dani Hoffman returns in the outfield and Claire McCartney will man first base after each player made the all-region squad last year. Hoffman led the Cards in batting average at .462 with McCartney in second at .426. Hoffman tallied 30 hits, 19 runs and 18 RBIs. McCartney had 26 hits, 25 runs and 12 RBIs.
Other returning starters include Jaidin Frayer (P), Claudia Lippert (C), Regann McClain (3B), Addi Custead (SS) and Peyton Miller (OF).
Frayer batted at a .404 percentage with 21 hits, 19 runs and 15 RBIs. In the circle, she struck out 27 and walked 16 with six earned runs in her freshman campaign. In five games this season, Frayer is up to 60 strikeouts.
Cochranton bumped up to Class 2A this cycle and will play Cambridge Springs, Rocky Grove, Saegertown, Maplewood and Lakeview in Region 2 play.
“We want to be extremely competitive in 2A and make the playoffs,” Haynes said.
Cambridge Springs
Cambridge Springs is hot off a District 10 Class 1A championship last season and returns a lot of its starting lineup from that title team.
To return to the mountaintop, head coach Angie Mumford wants to see her Blue Devils improve each and every day.
“We are believing in each other and we want to get one percent better every single day. It’s challenging ourselves to continuously get one percent better every day,” Mumford said. “When you come into practice you need to get one percent better and believe that we can achieve anything.”
Graduated is all-state outfielder Kylee Miller, but all-state pitcher Kayla Crawford is back for her junior year. Crawford, a Division I commit to Southeastern Louisiana, struck out 228 batters with 30 walks and 14 earned runs last year. Crawford’s ERA was .778.
“I want to see continued growth and leadership from Kayla. She always challenges herself to get better and better,” Mumford said. “We had pitchers and catchers on the field together and she was always challenging herself and all four of them. They all try so hard to continue to grow as players.”
Crawford’s sister, Aubrie Crawford, a freshman, will also see some time on the mound.
Also returning are all-region players Jaydan Simmons and Morgan Dunton. Dunton, now a junior and in her third season as starting catcher, batted a .413 average with 26 hits and 20 RBIs in 2024. Simmons recorded 20 hits.
Quinn Eaglen will be leaned on for leadership and will take over the leadoff role, which was Miller’s for four seasons. Freshman Angela Hassinger will also see a lot of varsity time, Mumford said.
Cambridge Springs has a tough non-region schedule with Fairview, Franklin, Union City, Grove City, Northwestern and Sharpsville all on the schedule.
“My goal is always the same. We want to peak at the right time. Get that one percent better everyday and peak in the playoffs,” Mumford said. “It’s a bit tricky now. We will try different things, take some risks, see what our limits are and push them.”
Saegertown
The Saegertown Panthers won a District 10 Class 2A title in 2024 and advanced to the PIAA quarterfinal round. After four years of the Jenn Bowes era at Saegertown, which featured a 59-16 record with two D-10 titles and several state playoff wins, there is a new coach in the Saegertown dugout.
Derek Peterman will lead the Panthers this season. Peterman coached the Seneca softball team for the last five years and has experience coaching baseball, including seven years at Conneaut. With three daughters that will attend Saegertown soon, Peterman is excited to take over the program.
“I’ve always kinda wanted to be here. They’ve always had a good program, a good community and I thought it would be a good fit,” Peterman said. “Seneca played them the last three years in playoffs and we’ve battled.”
Graduated from last year’s team is all-state pitcher Mikaila Obenrader, now pitching at Canisius College. Also graduated are all-region players Kacie Mook, Alyssa Arblaster and Rhia Paris.
With just five girls on the team last year that weren’t seniors, Peterman wanted to grow the program. This year, the roster is 16-strong.
Peterman will look to senior Rylie Braymer for leadership. Braymer is committed to play at Seton Hill University.
“Rylie is who we’ll lean on. Her and Natalie Halsey are our only two seniors. Both of them have good experience,” Peterman said. “That team relied heavily on Mikaila Obenrader for last four years. This year, everybody has to get on board and do what we need to do, to play their own role.”
The ace in the circle will be freshman Hailey Obenrader.
“She’s showing major growth already. Our biggest thing is everyone wants to compare her to her sister and I think that’s tough on her. I tell her all the time ‘This is your time to create your own legacy,’” Peterman said. “She’s been a great leader as a freshman. The girls already look up to her.”
At the plate, Braymer, Halsey, Maddy Pratt and Leah McGill are expected to lead the team. McGill hit two home runs in the team’s opener. Peterman also expects MacKenzie Brauen and Rylee Price to play big roles.
“Our goal is to grow the program. We want the community and everyone excited. We told them ‘Yeah you’ve had success the past four years, but everyone expected that and there wasn’t a lot of team going on.’ We’re trying to build that this year and change the culture,” Peterman said. “We have a junior high program going now. We want to lift the program up.”
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Cambridge Springs and Saegertown hoisted District 10 trophies, Maplewood and Cochranton played for a D-10 title while Conneaut and Meadville each played in the Class 4A semifinal round.
A bevy of talent graduated, but plenty returns this spring. Fifteen all-region selections and three all-staters return to their respective dugouts.
Meadville
Meadville’s high-powered offense led the Bulldogs to a first round bye in the District 10 playoffs, but the ‘Dogs fell flat in the semifinals against Hickory.
Graduated from last year’s 14-4 team is all-state utility player Rylee Kregel. Rylee Kregel had 10 home runs, 34 RBIs, 27 hits and 18 runs with a .474 percentage. In the circle, she struck out 75 and allowed 12 earned runs.
Returning is all-state selections Addyson Kregel and Kendall Mealy, as well as all-region players Teagan Reichel and Lila Kightlinger. Addyson Kregel led the team in average at .485 and added 32 hits, 25 runs and 22 RBIs. Mealy had 31 hits, 33 runs and 18 RBIs at a .463 average. Reichel added 27 hits and 17 RBIs at a .458 average.
Kightlinger added 23 hits, 13 RBIs and nine runs with a .411 average. Kightlinger, a junior, struck out 83 with 22 walks and 22 earned runs.
First-year head coach Darren Mealy said he will lean heavily on his experienced upperclassmen this season.
“Kendall, Lila, Teagan is a stud catcher, no doubt about it. Grace Curtiss at first, Addy Kregel, all our seniors and juniors we will rely on,” Mealy said. “Especially with some freshmen out there who are getting used to the whole speed of varsity. It’s kinda like having coaches on the field because they go through everything with them.”
Curtiss will be the top relief to Kightlinger. Freshman Sofee Pierce could also see time in the circle.
“Grace has looked really good this winter. She wasn’t planning on pitching, but I told her we needed her,” Mealy said. “Hopefully we can get Sofee some time too.”
“Obviously everyone’s goal is to win the region, then compete in District 10. I think we have a solid chance as anyone make it there,” Mealy said. “We’ve been there the past two years, but I think we’re ready to advance a bit. I think the girls are hungry and it’s a matter of when we get to that point of how good of ball are we playing.”
Meadville will battle McDowell, Erie, Titusville, Warren, General McLane, Harbor Creek and Fort LeBoeuf for the Region 6 crown.
Conneaut
The Conneaut Eagles finished last season 8-11 overall, but earned a postseason berth. Conneaut beat Franklin 11-8 before losing to Cathedral Prep in the semifinals. This season, Conneaut dropped to Class 3A and will be in an Erie County-heavy region with Cathedral Prep, Northwestern, North East, Girard, Fairview and Corry.
Conneaut’s lineup looks a bit different this spring, with the top four batting averages gone. The top returning batter is Hailey Gilliland, who posted a .318 average with 21 hits and 19 runs last year. She will also be leaned on for leadership.
Behind the plate, junior Riley Miller will be the full-time catcher.
“Riley is behind the plate this year and has been working hard getting to know all four of our pitchers for the upcoming season,” Onderko said. “She has been putting in extra work all offseason with getting prepared for behind the plate as well as at the plate.”
Carmen Bowman will start in center field with Abby Potts at third base. Onderko said Bowman has the athleticism to reach a lot of balls in the outfield, while Potts is a natural third baseman and will have a more permanent spot in the lineup.
Conneaut’s pitching staff includes Kaylin Faust, Morgan Wallace, Ella Fuller and Taylor Klemm. Faust got the start in the opener, with Wallace and Fuller each seeing time in relief.
“We feel confident that every one of them can step into the circle and perform for us as needed,” Onderko said.
First-year starters include Faust, Wallace, Bailey Absten, Julia Johnson, Charlee Sharp, Jordyn Bartic, Caly Moser, Callie Summerville, Ella Fuller, Emma Fuller and Bella Absten.
“All of these ladies are to expected to step up this year for us, we are an extremely young team this year. We will have a lot of moving parts, trying to find the best combinations of players that make us the most competitive team possible,” Onderko said. “This team is going to be a fun team to be around, they are eager to learn and want to get better each and every day. We want to look, practice, and play better, each day that we step onto the field. This team will look and perform totally different from what they started the year because of their attitude and willingness to learn and get better.”
Maplewood
Maplewood played for a District 10 Class 2A championship last season, which the Tigers lost to Saegertown. Graduated from Maplewood’s title run are all-region performers Sheila Despenes, Madyson Banik and Izzy Somerville.
This season, head coach Jeremy Post will look to Sophia Niedbala, Rhinn Post and Brianna Kope to lead the way. Kope led the team in batting average at .400 last year and added 20 hits with 15 RBIs. Niedbala led the Tigers in hits with 22 and Post was the team’s top pitcher.
Post struck out 131 batters with 40 walks and 55 earned runs as a junior. Now a senior, Post will once again be the top option.
“Senior Rhinn Post remains our No. 1. Unfortunately injury has sidelined sophomore Jorja Holeva for the season,” Post said. “Freshman Mackenzie Gerow is looking like a strong addition to our pitching group.”
Mylee Crawford and Ella Frazier will move into consistent starting roles this season after playing sparingly as underclassmen last year. Freshmen Sam Bernoski, Rylan Duke and Gerow will also see significant roles.
“The goal remains the same as in past years — to win a region title. We have put together a tougher schedule for this season than we have been playing for the past few seasons,” Post said. “I expect that we will have a tight-knit group that will stick together as we learn to play with the intensity that is required to reach that goal as well as more postseason success.”
Maplewood will play Cathedral Prep twice, Northwestern, Conneaut, Girard and Union City in non-region play. In Region 2 play, the Tigers will battle Cambridge Springs, Rocky Grove, Saegertown, Cochranton and Lakeview.
Cochranton
The Cochranton Cardinals finished last season 13-5 and as the District 10 Class 1A runner-up to rival Cambridge Springs.
This spring, the Cardinals have a new head coach in the dugout and bring back two all-region players. Thomas Haynes, a longtime assistant coach, will take over for Mark McGuire.
Dani Hoffman returns in the outfield and Claire McCartney will man first base after each player made the all-region squad last year. Hoffman led the Cards in batting average at .462 with McCartney in second at .426. Hoffman tallied 30 hits, 19 runs and 18 RBIs. McCartney had 26 hits, 25 runs and 12 RBIs.
Other returning starters include Jaidin Frayer (P), Claudia Lippert (C), Regann McClain (3B), Addi Custead (SS) and Peyton Miller (OF).
Frayer batted at a .404 percentage with 21 hits, 19 runs and 15 RBIs. In the circle, she struck out 27 and walked 16 with six earned runs in her freshman campaign. In five games this season, Frayer is up to 60 strikeouts.
Cochranton bumped up to Class 2A this cycle and will play Cambridge Springs, Rocky Grove, Saegertown, Maplewood and Lakeview in Region 2 play.
“We want to be extremely competitive in 2A and make the playoffs,” Haynes said.
Cambridge Springs
Cambridge Springs is hot off a District 10 Class 1A championship last season and returns a lot of its starting lineup from that title team.
To return to the mountaintop, head coach Angie Mumford wants to see her Blue Devils improve each and every day.
“We are believing in each other and we want to get one percent better every single day. It’s challenging ourselves to continuously get one percent better every day,” Mumford said. “When you come into practice you need to get one percent better and believe that we can achieve anything.”
Graduated is all-state outfielder Kylee Miller, but all-state pitcher Kayla Crawford is back for her junior year. Crawford, a Division I commit to Southeastern Louisiana, struck out 228 batters with 30 walks and 14 earned runs last year. Crawford’s ERA was .778.
“I want to see continued growth and leadership from Kayla. She always challenges herself to get better and better,” Mumford said. “We had pitchers and catchers on the field together and she was always challenging herself and all four of them. They all try so hard to continue to grow as players.”
Crawford’s sister, Aubrie Crawford, a freshman, will also see some time on the mound.
Also returning are all-region players Jaydan Simmons and Morgan Dunton. Dunton, now a junior and in her third season as starting catcher, batted a .413 average with 26 hits and 20 RBIs in 2024. Simmons recorded 20 hits.
Quinn Eaglen will be leaned on for leadership and will take over the leadoff role, which was Miller’s for four seasons. Freshman Angela Hassinger will also see a lot of varsity time, Mumford said.
Cambridge Springs has a tough non-region schedule with Fairview, Franklin, Union City, Grove City, Northwestern and Sharpsville all on the schedule.
“My goal is always the same. We want to peak at the right time. Get that one percent better everyday and peak in the playoffs,” Mumford said. “It’s a bit tricky now. We will try different things, take some risks, see what our limits are and push them.”
Saegertown
The Saegertown Panthers won a District 10 Class 2A title in 2024 and advanced to the PIAA quarterfinal round. After four years of the Jenn Bowes era at Saegertown, which featured a 59-16 record with two D-10 titles and several state playoff wins, there is a new coach in the Saegertown dugout.
Derek Peterman will lead the Panthers this season. Peterman coached the Seneca softball team for the last five years and has experience coaching baseball, including seven years at Conneaut. With three daughters that will attend Saegertown soon, Peterman is excited to take over the program.
“I’ve always kinda wanted to be here. They’ve always had a good program, a good community and I thought it would be a good fit,” Peterman said. “Seneca played them the last three years in playoffs and we’ve battled.”
Graduated from last year’s team is all-state pitcher Mikaila Obenrader, now pitching at Canisius College. Also graduated are all-region players Kacie Mook, Alyssa Arblaster and Rhia Paris.
With just five girls on the team last year that weren’t seniors, Peterman wanted to grow the program. This year, the roster is 16-strong.
Peterman will look to senior Rylie Braymer for leadership. Braymer is committed to play at Seton Hill University.
“Rylie is who we’ll lean on. Her and Natalie Halsey are our only two seniors. Both of them have good experience,” Peterman said. “That team relied heavily on Mikaila Obenrader for last four years. This year, everybody has to get on board and do what we need to do, to play their own role.”
The ace in the circle will be freshman Hailey Obenrader.
“She’s showing major growth already. Our biggest thing is everyone wants to compare her to her sister and I think that’s tough on her. I tell her all the time ‘This is your time to create your own legacy,’” Peterman said. “She’s been a great leader as a freshman. The girls already look up to her.”
At the plate, Braymer, Halsey, Maddy Pratt and Leah McGill are expected to lead the team. McGill hit two home runs in the team’s opener. Peterman also expects MacKenzie Brauen and Rylee Price to play big roles.
“Our goal is to grow the program. We want the community and everyone excited. We told them ‘Yeah you’ve had success the past four years, but everyone expected that and there wasn’t a lot of team going on.’ We’re trying to build that this year and change the culture,” Peterman said. “We have a junior high program going now. We want to lift the program up.”
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