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It’s not only a new year, but also a new era for Wellsboro softball in 2017.

Head Coach: Ron Brought (1st year)
2016 Season Record: 19-4, District IV Class AA Runners-up (Greg Carr)
Key Returners: Alyssa Yungwirth, Sydney Tremper, Brianne Keane, Kailee Clymer
Players to Watch: Alyssa Yungwirth, Sydney Tremper, Cathryn Brought, Ryann Adams

Last year the Lady Hornets came up short to Milton in the District IV Class AA playoffs in a 7th inning walk-off. Wellsboro softball saw great success the past nine seasons under former head coach Greg Carr, including the program’s first ever District IV title in 2015.

This year, Wellsboro is under new leadership as Ron Brought takes over as the team’s skipper. The Lady Hornets are a young team this season after graduating four seniors last season. Those four seniors – Sarah Ingerick, Jenny Young, Darci Warriner, and Alexa Singer – combined for 103 hits and 71 runs in 2016 and won 69 games over their careers.

While it might sound tough to replace last year’s senior class, the 2017 squad will attempt to etch their names in the Wellsboro history books. But how will this year’s team do so? The answer – solid pitching and defense.

The Lady Hornets return arguably the NTL’s and District IV’s best pitcher in Alyssa Yungwirth for her junior year. As a sophomore, Yungwirth went 11-4 on the mound in 12 starts and struck out 157 batters on the year. As a freshman, Yungwirth went 9-0. Yungwirth has improved during the off-season and packs more power this year. Also in the mix this year are freshmen Cathryn Brought and Ryann Adams. The duo had a good junior high season in 2016 and played a lot of ball during the summer months to prepare for this season. The two should compliment Yungwirth and offer a nice change of pace this season.

While the Lady Hornets will have to replace Ingerick at short stop, and Young and Warriner in the outfield this season, the Lady Hornets return four starters from last year’s team that played in, if not, ever game last year. Heidi Zuchowski will hold down first base, Adams will step into second when not pitching, Kailee Clymer will move over to short, Brianne Keane will be back at third base, and Sydney Tremper will be behind home plate. Last year’s team was a very defensive-minded team and won many games because of great defense, and this year’s team will look to continue that tradition.

One thing Coach Brought and the Lady Hornets look to improve upon is getting their offense started sooner, rather than later. This year’s team needs to start quick and score early to force their opponents to play from behind. Tremper (26) and Yungwirth (20) had the third and fifth most hits last year, but Clymer and Keane struggled at the plate, combining for 25 strikeouts. If those four – along with Zuchowski, Brought, and Adams – can turn things loose in the batter’s box this year, look for the Lady Hornets to compete for an NTL Large School Division title and make a run for another District title.