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 ...
