Make no mistake, the Greencastle-Antrim softball team graduated its fair share of talent from last year’s PIAA Class 5A runner-up squad.
But those losses won’t stop the Blue Devils from dreaming big this spring, not with the group of girls still assembled in Greencastle. Kiersten Swain, perhaps the top returning pitcher in the Mid-Penn Colonial Division, is back for the Blue Devils, while teammates Kindal Rice, Kylie Kerns, and Erika Hoover are ready to set an example at the plate for a fresh crop of young players.
Chambersburg would also love to qualify for the District 3 postseason — just like it has for the past 43 seasons — but the Trojans will have to make the pursuit without the services of several key All-Stars. In Waynesboro, the Maidens return enough talent to return to the postseason for the first time since 2022.
The four other teams in the Local.News1 coverage area — Fairfield, North Hagerstown, South Hagerstown, and Smithsburg — are coming off losing seasons, but all of those squads return enough skill and experience to make considerable improvement this spring.
We’ll take a closer look at all of these teams in today’s high school softball previews. In the days to come, we’ll be unveiling our previews for the other spring sports.
Below is a team-by-team preview for each of our area’s softball squads:
Waynesboro Maidens
Coach: Troy Witte
Division: Mid-Penn Colonial
Last season: Waynesboro went 6-13 overall and 4-10 in the Colonial last spring.
Top projected returners: Lydia Shank (Sr., C/1B), Emma Bradley (Sr., P/2B/SS), Haley Reynolds (Sr.), Chloe Lowans (So.), Abby Byers (Jr.), Olivia Shockey, Rylee Miller
Meet the Maidens: Optimism is high at Waynesboro, a program trying to qualify for the District 3 postseason for the first time since 2022 … The Maidens will be captained by senior catcher Lydia Shank, who batted .418 with three home runs last season and was a Second Team All-Colonial selection, and Haley Reynolds, a hard-hitting senior who batted .361 with four doubles, one home run, and three stolen bases … Waynesboro is hopeful to get another masterful season at the plate from Emma Bradley, who batted .463 with 12 extra-base hits, 27 runs, 22 RBI, and 15 stolen bases … Abby Byers (.268, 8 runs, 8 RBI) is back for the Maidens, as is Rylee Miller (.226, 4 extra-base hits, 14 RBI) … Chloe Lowans is listed on Waynesboro’s JV roster, but could get a call-up after batting .327 (16 for 49) for the varsity last season … To stay competitive in the Colonial this spring, the Maidens will need to find consistency in the pitching circle following the graduation of their primary starter, Alexis Thompson, who struck out 44 batters over 42 1/3 innings … Bradley is the most experienced returning pitcher for Waynesboro. She won three games and posted a 5.63 ERA, while striking out 24 batters over 41 innings … The Maidens will have another key player to replace with the graduation of Riley Shetler, who was a force both at the plate (.361, 3 home runs) and in the circle (26 innings, 4.58 ERA).
Opener: Monday, March 16, at home vs. East Pennsboro
Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils
Coach: Mark DeCarli
Division: Mid-Penn Colonial
Last season: The Blue Devils went 22-4 and conquered the Colonial Division with a 13-1 record. Greencastle-Antrim made a deep postseason run, which concluded with a 2-0 loss to Penn-Trafford in the PIAA 5A Championship game.
Top projected returners: Kylie Kerns (Jr., OF/SS), Kindal Rice (Sr., 1B/P/DP), Paiton Gordon (Jr., RHP), Erika Hoover (Jr., 1B/DP), Kiersten Swain (Jr., P/Util), Lydia Prike (Sr., P), Lily Crum (Sr., SS), Serenity Goodman (Jr., OF)
Meet the Blue Devils: Mark DeCarli, the reigning Colonial Division Coach of the Year, and his Greencastle-Antrim squad are eager to prove that last season’s run to the PIAA Class 5A Championship game was no fluke … Yes, the Blue Devils graduated six key seniors — Meadow Gambacurta (.468), Kaidyn Zimmerman (.449), Caroline Logsdon (.438), Zhen Reuter (.395), Aliyah Masser (.310), and Bailey Leckron (.309) — but Greencastle has plenty left in the cupboard to make another postseason run … The Blue Devils, a three-time District 3 champion (2008, 2009, 2013) who haven’t had a losing season since 2018, will be leaning on the right arm of junior All-State and First Team All-Colonial pitcher Kiersten Swain … Swain was masterful in 2025, when she won 13 games and posted a 1.41 ERA while striking out 131 batters over 94 1/3 innings … Swain will be backed up in the circle by two capable hurlers in Paiton Gordon (35 2/3 innings, 1.96 ERA, 29 strikeouts) and Lydia Pryke (18 2/3 innings, 17 strikeouts, 0.38 ERA) … With the strength of the pitching staff, it won’t be necessary for the Blue Devils offense to put up huge numbers, but the group certainly has the potential to do just that … Kindal Rice, an All-Colonial Third Team selection last season, is back for her senior year after batting .402 with five doubles, three home runs, 16 runs, 21 RBI, and two stolen bases … Pitching around Rice won’t be a good idea, with Gordon (.385), Kylie Kerns (.354, 14 extra-base hits, 22 runs, 29 RBI), and Erika Hoover (.311, 9 extra-base hits, 20 RBI) also lurking in the Greencastle lineup … The Blue Devils have several newcomers who could fill the graduation gaps, including Brooklyn Sanchez, Danica Murphy, Ali Logsdon, Miranda Martin, Addy Hawbaker, Alivia Updyke, Rey Gearhart, Minnie Gambacurta, and Katie Zawilinski.
Coach’s comments: DeCarli said, “We have a great mixture of returners and newcomers to have a season like we had last year and finish the job.”
Opener: Wednesday, March 18, at home vs. Delone Catholic
Chambersburg Trojans
Coach: Chris Skultety
Division: Mid-Penn Commonwealth
Last season: Chambersburg posted a 19-6 record, which includes an 11-3 mark in the Commonwealth Division. The Trojans took second at the District 3-6A Championships, before their playoff run eventually came to an end in the PIAA Quarterfinals with a 4-3 loss to Hempfield Area.
Top projected returners: Addison Gsell (Sr., 3B/RHP), Sanay Jones (Sr., P), Issie Slimmer (Sr., P), Marley Onomastico (So., OF/CF), Erissa Varner (Sr., C/OF/2B), Kendall Flory, Kylee Perry (So., C).
Meet the Trojans: Chambersburg’s lineup will look a little different this season with the departures of three key players … Lost to graduation are Karley Skultety, a three-time All-State selection who batted .370 last spring, and All-State pitcher Kori Leedy, who won 18 games and struck out 105 batters … Also gone is senior Bree Paetow — a James Madison recruit who led the Local.News1 coverage area in doubles (12), triples (7), runs (45), and stolen bases (30), and ranked second with a .576 batting average — who is now rostered on the track squad and will play travel softball this summer … Those are some big holes to fill for coach Chris Skultety, but if the Trojans can put the pieces together over a demanding season in the Commonwealth Division, they’ll be in good position to qualify for the District 3 tourney for a 44th-consecutive season … Chambersburg will be counting on a mixture of veterans and newcomers to get the job done … Leading the way will be senior third baseman Addison Gsell, an All-Commonwealth Second Teamer who batted .386 last spring with 15 extra-base hits, including five home runs, to go along with 22 runs and 32 RBI … Gsell will have a chance to drive more runs in this season with the return of Marley Onomastico (.268, 17 runs), Sanay Jones (.255,), Erissa Varner (.231, 16 runs, 13 stolen bases), Kendall Flory (7 runs, 6 RBI), and Kylee Perry, a Third Team All-Commonwealth selection who batted .281 with seven extra-base hits, 12 runs, and 10 RBI … Chambersburg’s toughest task might be finding a full-time replacement for Leedy in the circle. Jones (11 innings, 7 strikeouts), a Susquehanna University recruit, and Issie Slimmer (18 innings, 9 strikeouts) both have varsity pitching experience … Look for a number of newcomers to make an impact this spring, including Ashley Mitchell, Hensley Brookens, Josey Snavely, Piper Jones, and Liberty Leonard … No softball program has won more District 3 championships than Chambersburg, which has captured 13 titles, most recently winning the crown in 2017.
Coach’s comments: Skultety said, “We have a lot of returning talent and some excellent new girls that will need to step up right away from our district runner-up team. The loss of the battery of Karley and Kori will need to be filled, but I’m confident in the girls we have to step up in those spots to get it done. Our goals stay the same every year at Chambersburg and that’s to compete for conference and district titles and make a run in states.”
Opener: Thursday, March 19, at Central York
Fairfield Knights
Coach: Dan Goetz
Division: YAIAA IV
Last season: The Knights posted an 8-11 record, and went 6-8 in YAIAA IV for fifth place.
Top projected returners: Maddy Payne (Sr., RHP/OF), Aubrey Arvin (Jr., Util), Aubree Eichenlaub (Jr., Util), Sydney Kreitz (Sr., 2B/3B/RF), Addison Welch (So.), Maddy Laird (Jr., Util), Reese Sweeney (Jr.)
Meet the Knights: All good things come to an end and for Fairfield last season, that meant breaking an eight-year streak of qualifying for the District 3 Championships … The good news for the Knights is they return a wealth of talent that is fully capable of fueling another postseason run … Spearheading the attack for Fairfield is Maddy Payne, a senior who was dominant at the plate and sharp in the pitching circle … Payne batted an absurd .654 last season with seven doubles, 23 runs, 21 RBI, and nine stolen bases. As a pitcher, she struck out 73 batters over 71 1/3 innings and posted a 4.12 ERA … Two big-bopping juniors who combined for 11 extra-base hits and 34 RBI, Aubrey Arvin (.415) and Aubree Eichenlaub (.404), are both projected to return for the Knights … Addison Welch is expected to return after making an impression during her freshman campaign with a .350 batting average, to go along with seven extra-base hits, 27 runs, and 12 RBI … Sydney Kreitz, a senior, will be once again counted on for a stable bat in the lineup after batting .357 with 18 runs and 11 RBI last season … Fairfield will have a few holes to fill in the lineup with the graduation losses of Sophia Klinedinst (.415, 12 stolen bases) and Kaylee Stone (.383, 2 home runs).
Opener: Tuesday, March 17, at home vs. James Buchanan
N. Hagerstown Hubs
Coach: Hannah Beeler
Division: Washington County Public Schools
Last season: North Hagerstown went 2-18, with their season concluding in the Class 3A West II Region Quarterfinals with a 12-1 loss to Oakdale.
Top projected returners: Halie Hughes (Jr., 2B/3B/P), Amiyah Rivas (So.), Leila Mielke (Jr., C), Harley Owen (Sr., OF/2B), Isabelle Ferretti (Sr., OF), MacKenzie Lemar (Sr., OF/C), Lyndsey Keefer (So.), Emma Robinson (So.)
Meet the Hubs: After taking some lumps last spring, North Hagerstown seems poised for improvement with a group of promising returners … Leading the pack for the Hubs is Halie Hughes, an infielder who led Washington County with a .615 batting average last spring … Three sophomores — Amiyah Rivas, Lyndsey Keefer, and Emma Robinson — are projected to return after learning the varsity ropes as ninth-graders … Junior catcher Leila Mielke will be asked to work with a young pitching staff that graduated its top two hurlers in Kelsey Hartsock and Kaley Rodgers … With the projected return of seniors Harley Owen, Isabelle Ferretti, and MacKenzie Lemar, outfield should be a strength for the Hubs.
Opener: Friday, March 20, at home vs. Boonsboro
S. Hagerstown Rebels
Coach: Chelsea Showe
Division: Washington County Public Schools
Last season: The Rebels went 8-11, with their season ending in the Class 3A West I Region Semifinals with a 9-0 loss to Tuscarora.
Top projected returners: Raelee Fry (Jr., RHP/1B/3B), Ja’Seri Chapman (Sr., OF), Kailia Burke (Jr., RHP/3B), Addison Wright (Sr.), Kenzie Lamer (Sr., C/1B/OF), Chelsea Desmond (Sr., OF/3B)
Meet the Rebels: Excitement is in the air at South Hagerstown, where the softball program is set to embark on its 62nd season … The Rebels bring back plenty of power at the plate with the return of Raelee Fry (.439, 6 doubles, 15 RBI) and the speedy Ja’Seri Chapman (.433, 10 RBI, 24 runs, 20 stolen bases) … Kailia Burke (.343, 11 extra-base hits, 19 runs, 20 RBI) will be counted on to drive in runs, as will be Addison Wright (.294), Kenzie Lamer (.293, 8 extra-base hits, 12 RBI), and Chelsea Desmond (.262, 7 doubles, 10 RBI) … If South’s offense continues to cook this spring, it will make smooth sailing for a trio of veteran pitchers: Burke, Wright, and Fry … Burke pitched 67 1/3 innings last season and posted a 4-5 record with a 5.61 ERA, while walking 35 batters and striking out 59 … Wright went 2-5 with a 4.86 ERA and in 31 2/3 innings of work she walked 10 and struck out 18 … Fry, who went 2-0 with 27 strikeouts and 2.74 ERA as a sophomore, should also see more time in the circle … The Rebels bump up from Class 3A to 4A this season … Coach Chelsea Showe is assisted by Leah Palmer, Courtney Showe, Paul Showe, Faith Ricker, Rick Ricker, Amy Grantham, and Brayden Leather … South will warm up for its season with home scrimmages against Hancock on March 12 and Brunswick on March 17.
Opener: Monday, March 23, at home vs. Williamsport
Smithsburg Leopards
Coach: Leslie Kocevar
Division: Washington County Public Schools
Last season: The Leopards played to a 5-14 record, with their season ending in the Class 1A West II Region Semifinals with a 10-7 loss to Clear Spring.
Top projected returners: Adianna Dudley (Sr., RHP/1B/3B), Lizzy Cox (Jr.), Jaimie Cuevas (Jr.), Rileigh Romberger (Jr.), Kimberly Hebert (Sr., RHP/1B), Morgan Baker (Sr., 2B/SS), Olivia Kocevar (Sr., C/SS), Lizzy Cox (Jr.)
Meet the Leopards: With a talented group of returning players, there’s no reason to believe Smithsburg can’t improve upon last years five-win campaign … Expect the Leopards to rally behind senior pitcher Kimberly Hebert, a right-hander who struck out 104 batters over 77 2/3 innings last season and posted a 5.86 ERA … Another senior pitcher, Adianna Dudley, should also see some time in the pitching circle after putting in 23 1/3 innings of work last spring and striking out 24 … When Dudley’s not pitching, she’ll be aiming to rake at the plate, where she batted .395 with seven extra-base hits, 12 runs, 10 RBI, and five stolen bases … Lizzy Cox (.391, 6 RBI, 10 runs) is a versatile junior who can play just about anywhere on the field … A number of others are projected to return for Smithsburg, including Jaimie Cuevas (.333, 4 extra-base hits) and Rileigh Romberger (.317, 7 RBI, 11 runs).
Opener: Monday, March 16, at Tuscarora
