Honesdale softball team poised to make serious strides in Lackawanna League action
HONESDALE — The 2023-24 season was a bit of a struggle for Honesdale on the local high school softball scene.
Under the direction of first year skipper Maria West, the young Hornets managed just four wins overall and did not qualify for the District 2 tournament.
This spring, though, hopes are running high that a .500 Lackawanna League record and a return to the playoffs are realistic goals. The reason for that optimism is a solid nucleus of veteran players combined with talented youngsters.
Rachele Chee and Georgianna Maglione lead the way for a Honesdale squad that is poised to start climbing in the Division II standings in 2025.
More: Wallenpaupack Area softball team poised to make a deep playoff run this spring
Also by Kevin Edwards: Spring high school sports commence with Bill Howerton Media Day at PNC Field
“We’re still in rebuilding mode since this is just our second year,” West said. “But, our two main goals are to be competitive every time we step onto the field and to make it back to the playoffs.”
Weather permitting, the Hornets will host Blue Ridge for a scrimmage on Tuesday. Action gets underway at 4:30 p.m. on the turf at the Daniel J. O’Neill Sports Complex.
Veteran leaders
Any discussion about this year’s varsity softball squad must begin with Chee and Maglione. Both are seniors and each brings her own brand of excitement to the diamond.
Chee is a multi-sport standout who also excels on the soccer pitch and was a member of Honesdale’s first girls varsity wrestling team as a sophomore.
A fleet-footed outfielder, Chee covers plenty of ground in center and hits at the top of the Hornet order. She batted a solid .281 last spring, scoring eight runs and collecting a team-best 10 RBIs.
“Rachele is an outstanding centerfielder,” West said. “She’s very aggressive in the field and makes the kind of catches no one expects her to. Offensively, Rachele is a lot of fun to watch. When she gets on base, good things happen for us.”
Maglione anchors the infield at first base. She’s a solid fielder with soft hands and excellent instincts. Maglione experienced an up and down junior year at the plate, but West believes she’s poised for a breakout season with the bat.
“Georgie is a very good leader on and off the field,” West said. “She’s a two-year captain who takes the time to mentor her younger teammates. When Georgie is dialed in at the dish, she can drive the ball to all fields. We’re just looking for a little more consistency this season.”
Consistency will be a key across the board for Honesdale, but especially at the plate. The Hornets averaged just 2.7 runs scored per game last spring and were outgunned by a combined margin of 222-54.
“We have to be better at getting on base, moving runners over and then driving them in,” West said. “We need to stay competitive longer in games and deeper into the season.”
Pitching will also play a major role in whatever success Honesdale enjoys this spring. Leah Salzameda (Sr), Brianna Bodie (Fr) and Maddie Decker (So) comprise an intriguing Red & Black rotation.
On the horizon
Honesdale will once again be competing in Division II of the Lackawanna League.
The Hornets will square off against the likes of Western Wayne, Lakeland, Holy Cross, Mid Valley, Riverside, Dunmore and Old Forge in their quest for a berth in this year’s Class 4A playoffs.
“We’re in a very tough division,” West said. “There aren’t any easy games on our schedule, so we certainly won’t be looking past anyone. We’ll take it one day and one game at a time.”
Honesdale will open up its regular season slate Wednesday, April 2 on the road at Dunmore. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Honesdale softball team ready to compete in Lackawanna League action
-
Honesdale baseball team looking to reload after another solid season in 2024
Nick Martin, Brody Patrisso and Jared Ahern will play major roles for the Honesdale varsity baseball team in Lackawanna League action the season.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
PIAA BOYS BASKETBALL: Lackawanna Division II rivals shooting for semifinals
Riverside, Holy Cross and Old Forge battled each other all season in pursuit of the Lackawanna League Division II title. Their competitive head-to-head clashes have served them well as they ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Hornets make franchise-record 26 3s and Ball has 27 points and 14 assists in 145-134 win over Spurs
LaMelo Ball had 27 points and 14 assists, and the Charlotte Hornets made a franchise-record 26 3-pointers to roll past the San Antonio Spurs 145-134 on Friday night. Nick Smith Jr. scored a ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Leicester v Manchester United: Match Preview, Team News and How to Watch
Leicester v Manchester United: Match Preview, Team News and How to WatchUnited Face Tough Test at King PowerManchester United return to Premier League action on Sunday night as they travel to the ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
2025 NFL free agents who should benefit most from new scenery: Davante Adams with Rams, plus 7 other key names
Which veterans are poised to make a leap in their new homes?CBS Sports - 2d -
Oklahoma State softball, baseball teams return to field Sunday after wildfires hit Stillwater
The Oklahoma State softball and baseball teams had to cancel Friday and Saturday games because of wildfires in the areaYahoo Sports - 1d -
Oscar Bobb returns to Manchester City action in Premier League 2 clash after almost seven months injured
Manchester City fans were greeted by the sight of Oscar Bobb returning to competitive match action on Sunday afternoon as he featured in Premier League 2 duties.The Norway international has been ...Yahoo Sports - 21h -
2025 NFL free agency: Cowboys reportedly make KaVontae Turpin league's highest-paid special teams player
Turpin was named first-team All-Pro after logging two returns for touchdowns in 2024.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Sankey: Record 14 NCAA bids 'justified' for SEC
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey says his league has been "incomparable" this season and expects no less than a record 14 teams to make the men's NCAA tournament.ESPN - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Newcastle celebrations are not over the top – this is why it means so much
If you do not understand what winning the Carabao Cup final means to Newcastle United, if you cannot appreciate what this moment has unleashed in a football obsessed city, maybe this is not the ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
What is The Players Championship playoff format?
Here's the playoff format for Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun at The Players Championship.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
WSU women's hoops earns WNIT invite
Mar. 17—It's March, and the Cougars are not quite done playing basketball just yet. For the fifth straight year, the Washington State women's basketball team earned a postseason berth. WSU will ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Jaguars land potential No. 1 pick in NFL mock draft after early run on QBs
An early run on quarterbacks in a recent mock draft from PFF helped the Jaguars land a potential No. 1 overall pick.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Is NCAA Tournament expansion a ‘slam dunk’? Where talks stand as March Madness begins
NEW YORK — All that stands in the way of expanding the NCAA men’s basketball tournament appears to be money. College sports leaders have been discussing with increasing diligence the possibility of ...Yahoo Sports - 21m
More in Sports
-
Newcastle celebrations are not over the top – this is why it means so much
If you do not understand what winning the Carabao Cup final means to Newcastle United, if you cannot appreciate what this moment has unleashed in a football obsessed city, maybe this is not the ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
What is The Players Championship playoff format?
Here's the playoff format for Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun at The Players Championship.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
WSU women's hoops earns WNIT invite
Mar. 17—It's March, and the Cougars are not quite done playing basketball just yet. For the fifth straight year, the Washington State women's basketball team earned a postseason berth. WSU will ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Jaguars land potential No. 1 pick in NFL mock draft after early run on QBs
An early run on quarterbacks in a recent mock draft from PFF helped the Jaguars land a potential No. 1 overall pick.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Sergio Ramos sent off again! His 30 career red cards, from Real Madrid to Monterrey
Ramos received red card No. 30 in Monterrey's win at Pumas. Here's how he earned each one.ESPN - 20m