Varsity Softball

May 22, 2025

Softball

Bobcats overpower Panthers 9-0 in 2A semifinals

By Alex Topor

MEADVILLE TRIBUNE

Seneca showed why its the No. 1 seed in the District 10 Class 2A softball bracket with Wednesday’s 9-0 shutout win over Saegertown at Allegheny College.

The Bobcats (19-1) out-hit Saegertown 14-5 and had five extra-base hits.

After two strikeouts from freshman pitcher Hailey Obenrader in the bottom of the first, Seneca settled in. After back-to- back singles, Samantha Primavere sent a three run-shot over the left field wall for a 4-0 Bobcats’ lead.

Aided by two Saegertown errors, the Bobcats added four runs to its lead in the third inning. Sophia Primavere hit a solo homer to leadoff the fourth inning and push Seneca ahead 9-0. After three straight singles, it looked like Saegertown was doomed to be mercy-ruled, but shortstop Rylie Braymer made a rare triple play.

Brayer caught a liner and touched second base before throwing to first to eliminate a runner that failed to tag up.

The momentum shifted a bit. Leah McGill hit a double to center field, followed by a Miley Manning single in the fifth with one out. But consecutive fly outs ended the rally before it started.

Offensively, Maddy Pratt had two doubles for Saegertown. Natalie Halsey singled in the top of the seventh.

Runs were hard to come by for the Panthers, as Sophia Primavere struck out nine with no walks in her shutout performance. Sophia Primavere has posted seven straight shutouts and boasts a 1.15 ERA on the year.

Saegertown ended its season 10-6 overall. “At the beginning of the year we told them they would be the underdog. People probably didn’t expect us to be much after losing so many seniors,” Saegertown head coach Derek Peterman said. “We’re very young and we told the girls we’re proud of the efforts they’ve given us all year. To get a big win like they did the other night was huge.”

Peterman is in his first year of coaching at Saegertown. He was previously the head coach of Seneca.

“That team is very good that we played,” Peterman said. “We have to build off of what we have and that’s what we’re going to do next year.”

Seneca will play the winner of Wilmington and Sharpsville in the District 10 championship game on Monday.

May 20, 2025

Softball

Saegertown softball wins in walk-off fashion, baseball shuts out Wilmington

MEADVILLE TRIBUNE

SLIPPERY ROCK — Saegertown’s Miley Manning hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh to cap Saegertown’s rally in a 9-8 win against Mercer in the District 10 Class 2A quarterfinals at Slippery Rock University on Monday.

“We’ve been talking about building off the games we were so close and couldn’t get over the hump,” Saegertown head coach Derek Peterman, who had his fourth child early Monday morning, said. “We had pretty positive energy throughout the whole game and I kept telling the girls ‘Hey we’re right there. We just need to get over the hump.’ Finally we had a couple girls come up big. Rylee Price was electric in both innings. She had an awesome hit in both innings to keep us alive.”

In the sixth, Saegertown scored three runs to take a 6-4 lead, but Mercer scored four runs in the top of the seventh to lead 8-6. In the bottom of the frame, Hailey Obenrader and Rylee Price had consecutive singles. Natalie Halsey reached on an error and Obenrader scored on the same error.

Leah McGill grounded out, but scored Price from third. Manning followed with a grounder of her own to bring Halsey home for the win.

“We overcame some errors and Hailey pitched well. We had a couple mental errors and that hurt us early in the game, but the girls build off each other and pick each other up,” Peterman said. “At the end of the game it was 6-4 us going into the seventh. They rallied themselves and as a coach I was deflated, but the girls came in fired up after getting that third out. They went out there and got the job done.”

Saegertown out-hit Mercer 10-5. Price was 3-for-4 and with a triple. Rylie Braymer was 2-for-3. Mackenzie Brauen, Maddy Pratt, Rylee Amick and Obenrader each had one hit.

In the circle, Obenrader struck out six, walked five and allowed five earned runs.

Saegertown will face Seneca in the semifinals on Wednesday.

May 15, 2025

Softball

Panthers shutout Tigers

GUYS MILLS — Saegertown defeated Maplewood 7-0 in a Region 2 softball game on Wednesday.

Saegertown freshman Hailey Obenrader struck out 11 and walked three with two hits allowed in a complete-game effort. Maddy Pratt had a double and two hits. Mackenzie Brauen also had two hits.

Maplewood’s Rhinn Post fanned eight and walked one. Post and Sam Bernoksi had Maplewood’s two hits.

Saegertown ended the regular season 9-5 overall and 6-4 in region action. Maplewood ended its regular season 6-7 overall and 4-6 in region play.

May 8, 2025

Softball

Pitchers’ duel

Blue Devils win 10-inning classic 1-0 over Panthers

By Alex Topor

MEADVILLE TRIBUNE

CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS — Wednesday’s Region 2 softball contest between Cambridge Springs and Saegertown was an instant classic for fans in attendance. The pitchers’ duel went 10 innings, with the Blue Devils winning 1-0 in the bottom of the tenth.

“Wow. That’s all I can say. Both teams played great, there were excellent defensive stands, the pitchers did a really good job,” Cambridge Springs head coach Angie Mumford said. “They took away some hits, there were runners left on base for both sides. It was a great game to watch as a softball fan.” The defensive masterclass by both teams featured plenty of strikeouts and defensive stands. Neither team reached third base til the bottom of the fifth when the Blue Devils’ Carly Cunningham doubled. Payton Leandro singled on a bunt to put runners in the corners with one down.

Not shaken, freshman Hailey Obenrader delivered back-to-back strikeouts for Saegertown.

In the bottom of the seventh, still scoreless, Obenrader exited the game due to injury with one out and two on base. Rylee Price stepped up and delivered a strikeout before catcher Maddy Pratt threw out a Cambridge Springs runner attempting to steal third, which forced extra innings.

“We believe in each other, which allows us to say it didn’t happen here, but it will happen next. The next person is the next best person,” Mumford said. “Just believing that whoever is up to bat, they will get the job done. If a ball is hit to them, they will get the job done. We believe in Kayla on the mound. It’s each little step.”

Cambridge Springs ace Kayla Crawford struck out the side in the top of the eighth and put her team back on offense. After a leadoff fly out, freshman Angela Hassinger doubled to left field. Jayden Simmons and Morgan Dunton were each intentionally walked to load the bases.

The gamble paid off for Saegertown, as Seton Hill commit Rylie Braymer made a diving catch over the middle, then tagged second base for a double play.

“Rylie Braymer made a diving catch up the middle, that was ball game,” Saegertown head coach Derek Peterman said. “You see that at the collegiate level, not the high school level.”

Each team reached second in the ninth off of errors, but couldn’t capitalize. In the 10th, Miley Manning hit a leadoff single, but the Panthers couldn’t take advantage of two runners on.

A walk and hit by pitch loaded the bases for the Blue Devils before Quinn Eaglen took home on a wild pitch, a score that sent the Blue Devils’ dugout into a frenzy.

“It was a heck of a pitchers’ duel. That’s pretty much what softball is all about. Props to them and their pitcher. She did a great job. She had us off balance the whole time,” Peterman said. “We were on the unfortunate side with a key injury. Rylee Price hasn’t pitched all year and came in for some big situations and we held on for two and a half more innings with some awesome defensive plays.”

Obenrader struck out 13 for Saegertown and walked two with three hits allowed. Manning had two hits for Saegertown. Braymer, Mackenzie Brauen, and Natalie Halsey each added one.

Saegertown is 7-4 overall and 4-4 in Region 2 action with two losses each to Cambridge Springs and Cochranton. The Panthers are scheduled to play a non-region game at Moniteau on Friday.

“They were playing for a region championship today and they came out fired up. But over these last few games, we’ve shown some serious character,” Peterman said. “It’s tough to just say that, but you almost have to be here to see what kind of vibe we bring.

“I am very proud of our girls. We’re gonna move forward, dig deep and see what we can do.”

Crawford fanned 16 and walked one with five hits allowed for Cambridge Springs. Hassinger, Cunningham, Leandro and Simmons each had hits for the Blue Devils.

Cambridge Springs is 11-1 on the year and 6-1 in the region. The Blue Devils lone loss is to Cochranton, and they have an opportunity for revenge today. Cambridge Springs hosts Cochranton today at 4:30. The Cardinals are 7-0 in region play and with a win, the Blue Devils could split the region title.

May 6, 2025

Softball

Walk-off winner

Cardinals win thriller 5-4 in extra innings

By Alex Topor

MEADVILLE TRIBUNE

COCHRANTON — In a game that featured two rain delays, a lightning delay and a rules-debate, Cochranton came out on top 5-4 in extra innings against Region 2 rival Saegertown.

The first three innings were played last Tuesday, with Cochranton holding a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth. Saegertown had two runners on and one out last week before lightning postponed the remainder of the game. Monday, the Panthers got after things early.

A Rylee Price double scored Natalie Halsey and Leah McGill. Rylee Amick followed with an RBI-double of her own before Rylie Braymer’s RBI-single pushed Saegertown ahead 4-3.

“We’ve been working all season on getting momentum right off the bat. We came out and tried to get an early lead,” Saegertown head coach Derek Peterman said. “I know we were down 3-0 to start the game, but they came out strong and I’ll put our hitters up against anybody. They did a very good job competing against (Jaidin) Frayer all day long. They have a good defense behind her as well and made several good plays. We got the 4-3 lead and kinda settled down.”

The next couple innings were a defensive game with each pitcher settling in and keeping runners off the bases. In the bottom of the sixth, a Saegertown fielding error put Frayer on second base. Frayer stole third in the next at-bat and scored on a sacrifice bunt from Addi Custead.

In the bottom of the seventh, Peyton Miller hit a leadoff single. Miller stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. With one out, Saegertown’s defense shifted up to avoid another sacrifice bunt. Hailey Obenrader worked a swinging strikeout and a groundout to force extra innings and keep her Panthers alive.

“Hailey, she pitched a great game. She keeps us in it,” Peterman said. “We made a defensive error that kinda hurt us, but we need to move on and build from it.”

Before extra innings began, a discussion was had between both coaching staffs and the officials regarding when the designated runner enters the game. After a call to a rules expert, it was determined to insert the runner to open the eighth inning. After the game, officials said the runner shouldn’t have entered until the 10th inning.

After the brief delay, Saegertown flew out and then lined out into a double play. Cochranton right fielder Alaina Shorts fired to second and caught Saegertown’s designated runner off, who didn’t tag up.

The bottom of the frame kicked off after yet another delay, this time for heavy rain. Once players finally took the field, Dani Hoffman grounded out, but advanced designated runner Claire McCartney to third. Claudia Lippert connected on a ball to shallow left field and scored McCartney for a walk-off RBI-single.

“We run that runner at third with less than two outs, we run that challenge every day in practice. It’s not something they’re afraid of or something they don’t see. We practice it. They executed today,” Cochranton head coach Thomas Haynes said. “We had a couple other moments where we couldn’t execute and just missed it. Hailey Obenrader is gonna be a star. There is no question about that. For us, we just have to continue to work hard and battle. We have that situation where Dani (Hoffman), Claudia and Jaidin are coming up, I am pretty comfortable with those three. They’re good kids and they play hard.”

Saegertown out-hit Cochranton 7-4, but had four errors. Braymer was 2-for-4 for the Panthers. Price had two RBIs. In the circle, Obenrader struck out nine and walked two. The freshman had no earned runs.

Cochranton’s Lippert and Custead had two RBIs. McCartney scored two runs. Sophomore Frayer struck out seven and walked two.

“My girls are battlers. I have yet to do anything that will get them to quit. We fight through everything. This year, we’ve played through some weather that nobody played in,” Haynes said. “It was raining today and the girls are asking me ‘Why are we stopping?’We just play and we battle.”

Saegertown is 7-3 overall and 4-3 in region play. The Panthers are scheduled to play at Cambridge Springs today at 4 p.m. Cochranton moved to 7-0 and atop Region 2. The Cards are 13-1 on the year and slated to play at Rocky Grove today.

May 1, 2025

Softball

Panthers score 23 in win

STONEBORO — Saegertown beat Lakeview 23-1 in a Region 2 softball game at Lakeview High School on Wednesday.

The Panthers walked on 17 times and had 22 RBIs. Hailey Obenrader and Maddy Pratt each had two doubles and Natalie Halsey added one. Rylie Braymer added one triple. Braymer scored five runs, Pratt had six RBIs, and Obenrader had five.

Saegertown is 7-2 and 4-2 in Region 2 action. The Panthers are set to play at Union City on Saturday.

April 30, 2025

Softball

Not done yet

Cards lead Panthers 3-0 through three inning in lightning-postponed contest

By Alex Topor

MEADVILLE TRIBUNE

COCHRANTON — Tuesday’s softball game between two of the top three teams in Region 2 was cut short due to lightning, but Cochranton leads 3-0. The game will be resumed Monday at Cochranton High School at 4 p.m.

When the game was called, Saegertown was building momentum. The Panthers earned back-to-back walks and had runners on first and second with one out.

“It can tough to get some momentum back,” Saegertown head coach Derek Peterman said. “I’m confident we will put the bat on the ball, we just have to clean it up defensively.”

Cochranton jumped out to a lead in the bottom of the first. Claire McCartney walked on, and after three errors from the Panthers in the span of two-at bats, Mc-Cartney and Dani Hoffman scored. Addi Custead bunted Claudia Lippert home with a fielder’s choice for a 3-0 lead.

Saegertown held Cochranton to three up, three down in the second and third innings. Freshman pitcher Hailey Obenrader has four strikeouts and no hits allowed so far.

Offensively, the Panthers have four hits to Cochranton’s zero. Obenrader had a single in the first and Miley Manning added a single in the second.

In the top of the third, Rylie Braymer and Mackenzie Brauen each singled. After a steal attempt was thrown out, Obenrader belted a high fly ball to deep center field. It seemed like a home run at first, but the high winds kept it in play and Cochranton’s Hoffman tracked it down near the wall.

“If the wind wasn’t blowing, I think we’d be looking at a one-run game,” Peterman said. “Thats what happens when you play in the wind, but it’s part of it. We came out a little flat. Our first inning was tough. We made three errors in a row, which led to three runs.

“Cochranton is a good team all around. (Jaidin) Frayer is throwing really good. But if we compare, we arn’t that far from them. We just have to play better defensively.”

Cochranton’s Frayer has five strikeouts and two walks so far. The Cardinals lead, but are in a pivotal situation when the game resumes on Monday.

“There is a long way to go,” Cochranton head coach Thomas Haynes said.

Cochranton is 5-0 in region action and 11-1 overall. Saegertown is 6-2 and 3-2 in the region. The Cardinals defeated Saegertown 8-0 on April 3 at Bertram Park.

April 25, 2025

Softball

Saegertown powers past Rocky Grove 10-1

MEADVILLE TRIBUNE

ROCKY GROVE — Saegertown beat Rocky Grove 10-1 in a Region 2 softball contest on Thursday.

Freshman Hailey Obenrader allowed one hit and fanned nine with four walks. Obenrader added a triple and was 2-for-4. Mackenzie Brauen was 3-for-5 and Maddy Pratt added two hits.

Saegertown is 6-2 overall and 3-2 in region play. The Panthers are scheduled to play at Reynolds on Saturday for a non-region game.

SAEGERTOWN - ROCKY GROVE

Saegertown (10) (AB-R-H-BI) Braymer 5-1-1-2, Brauen 5-3-3-1, Obenrader 4-2-2-1, Pratt 4-0-2-1, Halsey 2-1-1-1, McGill 4-0-0-0, Manning 4-1-1-0, Price 3-1-1-0, Amick 4-1-0-0. Totals 35-10-11-6. 

Rocky Grove (1) (AB-R-H-BI) Cratty 2-1-0-0, Phillips 2-0-0-0, A. Mawhinney 3-0-1-1, Cresswell 3-0-0-0, E. Mawhinney 1-0-0-0, Bowling 3-0-0-0, Reyburn 3-0-0-0, Thomas 3-0-0-0, Fultz 3-0-0-0. Totals 23-1-1-1 

Saegertown 103 400 2 — 10 11 1 

Rocky Grove 001 000 0 — 1 1 8 

BATTING

2B: M — Obenrader.

PITCHING (IP-H-R-ER-BB-SO) S — Obenrader 7-1-1-1-4-9; RG — E. Mawhinney 4.1-7-8-2-2-2, A. Mawhinney 2.2-4-2-2-1-0.

April 18, 2025

Softball

Blue Devils beat Panthers

HAYFIELD TOWNSHIP — Saegertown defeated Cambridge Springs 4-1 in a region softball game at Bertram Park on Thursday.

Kayla Crawford struck out 12 and allowed no earned runs for the Blue Devils. Jaydan Simmons drove in four runs on two hits, including a home run.

Saegertown’s Hailey Obenrader allowed four earned runs and struck out eight.

April 16, 2025

Softball

Saegertown beats Maplewood

HAYFIELD TOWNSHIP — Saegertown beat Maplewood 11-6 in a Region 2 softball contest at Bertram Park on Tuesday.

Freshman Hailey Obenrader retired 11 batters and added one triple and a double at the plate. Leah McGill and Rylie Braymer each added a triple.

Maplewood’s Rhinn Post struck out 11 and walked four. Sam Bernoski had multiple hits for the Tigers.

Saegertown is 5-1 overall and 3-1 in Region 2. The Panthers are scheduled to host Cambridge Springs on Thursday. Maplewood is 1-3 overall and in the region. Maplewood is scheduled for a non-region game at Northwestern on Thursday.

April 12, 2025

Softball

Panthers win big

HAYFIELD TOWNSHIP — The Saegertown softball team defeated Lakeview 11-1 behind a no-hitter from freshman pitcher Hailey Obenrader Saegertown is 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the region. The Panthers are scheduled to play at Maplewood on Tuesday in another region tilt.

Obenrader struck out 12 with three walks in a complete game effort.

Mackenzie Brauen was 4-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs. Rylie Braymer and Miley Manning each had two hits.

April 4, 2025

Softball

Dominant region win

Cochranton blanks Saegertown to open region slate

By Alex Topor

MEADVILLE TRIBUNE

HAYFIELD TOWNSHIP — Cochranton defeated Saegertown 10-0 in a Region 3 softball matchup at Bertram Park on Thursday behind six hits and a shutout performance from Jaidin Frayer.

“I’m just impressed with our overall attitude. They bought into the idea that it takes work and time,” Cochranton head coach Thomas Haynes said. “These are kids that have been successful. These kids were in the D-10 final last year, obviously it was single-A, but we’ve played these teams in 2A before. Mentally, I am just so proud of them. They don’t get rattled and I’m happy about that.”

Frayer struck out 11 with three walks and four hits in a complete-game effort. When Saegertown did get runners on, Cochranton’s defense kept the Panthers from getting on the board.

Early on, it looked like it might be an offensive showcase from both teams. Cochranton left two runners on in the top of the first, then Saegertown did the exact same in the bottom of the frame.

In the top of the second, Cochranton loaded the bases with one out after back-to-back hit by pitches and an error. Claire McCartney hit an RBI groundout before Dani Hoffman’s two-RBI single to center field gave the Cards a 3-0 lead.

Frayer defended Cochranton’s lead by striking out two and forcing a ground out in the first three batters to close the second inning. From there, Saegertown had two hits for the rest of the contest.

“Jaidin has worked her tail off. She’s special and with Claudia (Lippert) behind the dish as well, those two work very well together,” Haynes said. “Again, it’s the work ethic and the attitude. They bring it everyday and it’s fun.”

Despite the lack of hits for Saegertown, the Panthers left runners on base in five of the seven innings. Saegertown had opportunities to score, but never got a timely hit. Combined with six errors, and the Panthers had a frustrating day.

“It should have been a lot closer than what it was. We kind of shot ourselves in the foot. We had a lot of errors that we can clean up,” Saegertown head coach Derek Peterman said. “We were one hit, two hits away from that game being vice versa. Obviously we have to go back to the chalk board and try to correct some things.

“The biggest thing we have to do is build from it. If we can’t do that, it’s gonna be a long season.”

Cochranton added a run to its lead in the fifth and sixth before a three-run seventh inning. After an error put Lippert on first, Frayer belted an RBI single to left field to score her pitching-mate. After two walks, one of which scored Frayer on a passed ball, Mara Schwartz scored on an RBI groundout from Alaina Shorts.

Cochranton’s Lippert and Hoffman each were 2-for-4. Alaina Shorts scored two runs and McCartney added a double.

The Cardinals are 4-1 overall and 1-0 in region action. Cochranton is scheduled to play at Reynolds today for a non-region game.

“We still have to clean up things mentally. We need to clean up and get better at our approaches at the plate. We’ve faced some pretty good pitchers so far,” Haynes said. “This young lady today, she is gonna be special. She’s an Obenrader, we know about her. The girl we saw at Grove City last week was good and the girl at Mercer already signed a Division 1 offer.

“We’ve faced some good pitching, but we know we still have to work our approaches. We need to be focused and disciplined, but having fun at the same time.”

Saegertown’s Hailey Obenrader and Mackenzie Brauen each had two hits. Obenrader had two doubles. In the circle, Obenrader fanned eight and walked two with six hits and one earned run.

The Panthers are 2-1 overall and 0-1 in region play. Saegertown is scheduled to host Lakeview on Tuesday.

“I liked some of our hitting. We had Mackenzie Brauen, Hailey, they both hit well,” Peterman said. “We need to see a little more execution. Those are things we need to work on, we’ve been working on them, but it didn’t show today.”

COCHRANTON - SAEGERTOWN

Cochranton (8) (AB-R-H-BI) McCartney 4-1-1-2, Hoffman 4-0-2-1, Lippert 4-1-2-1, Frayer 4-1-1-1, Schwartz

3-1-0-0, Custead 3-0-0-0, Mase 2-1-0-0, McClain 1-0-0-0, Shorts 2-2-0-0, Reese 1-0-0-0, Miller 3-1-0-0. Totals 31-8-6-5. 

Saegertown (0) (AB-R-H-BI) Braymer 3-0-0-0, Brauen 3-0-2-0, Obenrader 3-0-2-0, McGill 3-0-0-0, Pratt 3-0-0-0, Halsey 3-0-0-0, Price 2-0-0-0, Manning 2-0-0-0, Amick 3-0-0-0. Totals 25-0-4-0. 

Cochranton 030 011 3 — 8 6 2 

Saegertown 000 000 0 — 0 4 6 

BATTING

2B: C — McCartney; S — Obenrader 2.

PITCHING

(IP-H-R-ER-BB-SO)

C — Frayer 7-4-0-0-3-11;

S — Obenrader 7-6-8-1-2-8.

April 3, 2025

Softball

Two returning district champs, new coaches headline area softball

By Alex Topor

MEADVILLE TRIBUNE

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 Mc-Dowell, 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

TheCochrantonCardinalsfinished last season 13-5 and as the District 10 Class 1Arunner-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 allstate 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.”

March 31, 2025

Softball

Saegertown tops Reynolds 16-5

MEADVILLE TRIBUNE

HAYFIELD TOWNSHIP — The Saegertown softball team beat Reynolds 16-5 in a non-region game at Bertram Park on Saturday.

The Panthers scored five runs in the first inning and added seven and four to their total in the third and fourth innings.

Hailey Obenrader was 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBIs and three runs. Leah McGill was 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs. Rylie Braymer and Mackenzie Brauen each had multiple hits.

In the circle, Obenrader fanned eight and walked three in a five-inning effort. She allowed two earned runs.

Saegertown is 2-0 and is scheduled to host Cathedral Prep on Wednesday.

March 20, 2025

Softball

Panthers top Bears 10-0

SAEGERTOWN — The Saegertown softball team beat Union City 12-2 in six innings of a non-region game at Bertram Park on Wednesday.

Leah McGill was 2-for-3 with two home runs and five RBIs. Rylie Braymer was 3-for-3 and Hailey Obenrader was 2-for-4 with two doubles.

In the circle, Obenrader struck out eight and allowed no earned runs in a complete- game effort.

Saegertown is 1-0. The Panthers are scheduled to host Mercyhurst Prep on Wednesday.