A Prideful Team, A Supportive Community

By Scott N. Lowery

Four years ago, an enthusiastic group of parents, fans, and supporters gathered in the parking lot of South Williamsport’s AAA office to send off an excited team of pre-teens to the Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Oregon. The wide-eyed youngsters were members of the Little Mountaineer Softball All-Star team, which was about to embark on the final leg of a successful summer of softball after having won the District 12, State of Pennsylvania, and Eastern Region championships.

Playing softball was something the youngsters were familiar with; flying across the county was not. Perhaps there was more apprehension with the parents than the kids, but as the bus pulled out, many parents began making scramble plans to get to Oregon to support the team. After all, that’s what they do.

Nearly four years later, many of this same group stood patiently by outside the first base dugout at Central Mountain to greet, console, and congratulate the South Williamsport High School softball team in the aftermath of the team’s 4-0 defeat at the hands of Bald-Eagle Area in the PIAA AA state semi-finals. After all, that’s what they do.

While smiles were absent from the faces of the disappointed players, the same could not be said for the large greeting party. Yes, they were hoping for a victory, but the pride and appreciation they had for these now teenage softball achievers was clearly evident. A second consecutive District IV championship, two decisive state playoff victories, and a 21-3 season record gave everyone plenty to feel good about.

Eight of the current members of the Lady Mounties team (sophomores Kendall Cardone, Gianna Goodman, Lily Reidy, Alizabeth Schuler, Sage Lorson, Abby Lorson, and Emily Holtzappel along with freshman Mikaiya Hills) were players on that decorated Little League team and had dedicated themselves to achieving South Williamsport’s first softball state title since 2003.

That Little League core had meshed well with incoming freshmen Maddie Pinkerton, Emma McLaughlin, and Natalya Betz and responded to the senior leadership provided by Aleigha Rieppel and McKenzie Mitstifer.

The senior duo, both loving the game, brought with them distinct personalities the team appreciated. Mitstifer, a reserve outfielder whose bat contributed a .438 batting average in limited roles, was upbeat, outgoing, and approachable and played the game for the enjoyment and camaraderie of her teammates.

Rieppel was the consummate competitor

See

~ Week of ~ June 12th-June 16th

Samuel W. Hess III, 61, of Williamsport

Larue Alice Eldred, 85, of Mill Hall

Ruth A. Harris, 93, of Williamsport

Deborah “Debra” A. Wilcox, 71, of Loyalsock

Steven J. “Steve” Hall, Sr., 74, of Trout Run

Virginia Hixson Bridgland, 97, of Alexandria, VA

Krista Shadle-Smith, 46, of McElhattan

Bonnie J. Williams, 69, of Mill Hall

Jean M. Bodewes, 85, of South Williamsport

Sarah D. Musser, 95, of Williamsport

Charles R. “Charlie” Wright, 85, of Montgomery

Kenneth T. (Pratt) Manley, 65, of Montoursville

Leon Frederick Fidrych, 100

Charles R. “Charlie” Wright, 85, of Montgomery

Josephine R. Wise, 98, of Lock Haven

Robert H. “Bob” Wetzel, of Montoursville

Naomi Ruth Johnson, 93

Janet M. Keebler, 87, of Williamsport

Delroy B. “Del” Moser, 85, of Turbotville

Kay (Swineford) Markert, 86, of Huntingdon

Mary J. Fisher, 84, of New Columbia

Margaret S. Wenker, 87, of Lock Haven

Nancy June Moyer, 71, of Williamsport

Charles J. Dincher, 83, formerly of Williamsport

Michelle L. Corter, 48, of Linden

Jane L. Sperow, 95, of Williamsport

Lucille M. Tressler, 85, of Mill Hall

Virginia S. Ward, “Jenny”

Deborah D. “Debbie” (Godfrey) Emig, 76, of Cogan Station and one of the most decorated athletes in South Williamsport athletic history. She established what is thought to be a record for receiving 12 varsity letters while competing in soccer, basketball, softball, and football. Only a canceled softball season prevented her from compiling 13 letters. During her senior season, she was the driving force in helping South’s soccer, basketball, and softball teams all win district titles.

On the diamond, she was the team’s shortstop, leading the team with 47 assists, batting second in the lineup, hitting .324, and compiling a 4-0 record in the circle. Family is often thrown about when discussing the makeup of an athletic team. While Sage and Abby Lorson are family as cousins, the rest of the Mounties formed a bond about as close as you could get to a related family group. That same attitude was prevalent on the playing field with Cardone, the well-recognized motivational leader. Off the field, the soft-spoken sophomore is quiet and reserved, but once the game

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