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Weatherly Area Girls’ Softball Lady Wreckers hoping for more softball success
by Steve Stallone Sports Editor
With senior pitcher Madisyn vonFrisch in the circle, and more pieces of the puzzle in place around her, the Weatherly Area girls’ softball team is hoping for an enjoyable spring. After back-to-back District 11 Class A playoff berths, the Lady Wreckers have their sights set on more success in 2023.
“We expect to challenge for our division and qualify for the district playoffs,” remarked head coach Will Bartel, now in his seventh season at the helm of the program. “We know it will be tough given the high quality of softball in our district, but the girls will battle.”
Now in her fourth season as the team’s ace pitcher, vonFrisch will be the anchor for the Lady Wreckers. She reached 300 career strikeouts last season and is primed for more. “Madisyn will give us a chance against anyone,” Bartel said of the King’s College recruit. “The girls will have to do their part to achieve our goals.”
With a mix of key returning players and several newcomers, there’s reason for optimism after the team went 6-15 (3-10
Schuylkill League Division II-III) and played in the district semifinals a year ago.
Senior infielderpitcher Kelly Michaels returns with a steady bat along with strong defensive play, and senior outfielder Adrianna Dotzel provides plenty of defense.
Junior infielderoutfielder Juliette Bartel is also back in the mix, showing steady improvement with both her offense and defense. Junior Anna Bloom will be at first base.
Coach Bartel points to senior catcher Raynessa Pauline-Diaz as a key to what the Lady Wreckers want to do. “She will be super important as the backstop to our topflight pitching,” Bartel said.
Others expected to contribute for the Lady Wreckers this spring are junior Veronica Mayernick (OF); sophomores Kiley Holman (OF), Ava Sahaida (OF), Rachel Rosenlund (3B), Abby Teodorescu (OF); and freshmen Jasmine Bresnak (OF), Abby Weston (OF1B), Abby Binder (IFP), Cameron Strohl (OF-IF-P), and Aisha Zuberi (OF).
Bartel will once again be assisted by Matt vonFrisch, as well as volunteer assistant coaches Kyle Michaels and
