Juniata returns offensive firepower in 2023

BY KENNY VARNER Sports correspondent

MIFFLINTOWN —

The Juniata softball team comes into the 2023 season ready to improve off last year’s 12-7 record of last year. The Lady Indians finished third in the Tri-Valley League last season and made a postseason berth in the process.

With pitching phenom Elizabeth Gaisior, who has been the ace of the Indians’ staff and has posted over 400-plus strikeouts on her time on the mound, looks to add some more strikeouts as well as victories to add to the teams’ win column.

The Juniata hurler is on pace to hit the 500-strike out mark and then some, proving herself as one of the best pitchers in Indians history and possibly in the state. The team will look to her from leadership.

Returning to lead the Lady Indians once again will be Erin Cressman.

Assisting her in the dugout this season will be veteran coaches Jack McCurdy, Craig Bubb and Jordan Shirey.

The Indians lost only three players from last year’s team.

Lost to graduation this season is Navi Jackson, Presley Goodwin and Lexi Berry.

Returning this season to the squad are seven letter winners. Returning letter winners are Mackenzie Lyter, Cheyenne Kirk, Elizabeth Gai-

Juniata softball

Coach: Erin Cressman

Assistants: Jack McCurdy, Craig Bubb, and Jordan Shirey.

2022 record: 12-7

League: Tri-Valley League sior, Lexi Frontz, Shay Armstrong, Regan Lowry and Savannah Marshall.

Not only is Cressman rich in veteran leadership, she also has some very strong underclassman who will be battling for some crucial playing time. Making statements early on in practice are Alexa Kuhn, Riley Lyter, and Ava Lauver, as well as others. “We have a full roster this year of 25 players between Varsity and JV,” said Cressman about her team’s full roster sizes.

Some strengths Juniata brings to the table this season will be come from the mound and batters box. Again, Gaisior will cus on to get ready for the season. lead the pitching staff.

Fielding and baserunning will be the main focuses on improving.

“We need to gain confidence in both of these areas to decrease the number of errors we make and increase our aggressiveness,” said Cressman.

The goals the coaches are setting for this year’s team is one’s that seem reachable.

“We want to Improve on our record, compete for a conference championship (tied for 3rd last year),” said Cressman. “We also want make the District 6 playoffs.

There are numerous team that Cressman sees as ones on this year’s schedule that will be tough to compete against.

“Pitching and hitting are our strengths. We scored the 2nd most runs in our league last season,” said Cressman. “We have most of our offensive firepower back.”

With fielding some young players there are bound to be a few weaknesses and things to fo-

Teams that Cressman sees as tough outs are Upper Dauphin (league), Susquenita (league) and Penns Valley.

Juniata will take to the field officially starting out the season on March 24 at home versus the Penns Valley Lady Rams in a non-league battle.

Second row, Tessa Booher, Gracey Cramer, Patyn Crisswell, Kendra Gardner, Reagan Yocum, Sydnee Harris.

Back row, Ke’Andra Wible, Chelsea Williams, Abbey Brodbeck, Sophie Smith, Autumn Sunderland, Addison Glover, Maddie Dimoff.