It’s been seven seasons since the softball program at Albright College has had a winning record, but with Slaydon Fisher leading the way, the Lions have an opportunity to post their best campaign in years.
Fisher, a Waynesboro grad and starting third baseman for Albright, is flirting with a .400 batting average while also clubbing nine extra-base hits and driving in 13 runs. In large part due to the production of Fisher, the Lions have seven wins this season, nearly twice as many as 2005. Albright needs just one more win to have its best season since 2019, when it went 25-18.
In College Corner this month, we’ll take a closer look at the exploits of Fisher and other former Waynesboro softball players, while also shining the spotlight on 47 other former Tribe athletes. Our list includes swimmer Joelle Blake, who won a conference championship for Hood College, as well as Jada Creager, a pole vaulter for Mount St. Mary’s who recently recorded the first pole vault win of her collegiate career.
In the months to come, College Corner will shift focus to Greencastle-Antrim and Chambersburg, before circling back to Waynesboro. Are we missing anybody? Additions for College Corner can be sent to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
SOFTBALL
Slaydon Fisher, Junior, Albright
The most feared batter in the Albright lineup just might be Fisher, a 5-foot-7 third baseman who has started in all but two games for the Lions.
She is batting .386 (17 for 44) and leads her team in doubles (7), home runs (2), and RBI (13), while also totaling eight runs and two stolen bases. Fisher has five games with multiple hits this spring, with two of those games coming on the same day. Competing in a doubleheader split with Lancaster Bible College on March 19, Fisher went a combined 6 for 7 with two doubles, one home run, three runs, and three RBI.
With Fisher leading the way, Albright has already exceeded the four victories it posted last season.
Albright (7-9, 1-3 MAC Commonwealth) hits the road on Sunday, March 29, for a doubleheader at Eastern.
Alexis Thompson, Freshman, PSU Mont Alto
Thompson is undefeated in her first season of pitching at the collegiate level.
The 5-foot-4 hurler has appeared in four games, including two starts, and is 2-0 with a 5.25 ERA. In 18 2/3 innings of work she’s struck out 17 batters. She most recently competed on March 19, striking out five batters over five innings in a 5-5 tie with Hood College.
Mont Alto (5-4-1) returns to the field on Monday, March 30, when it hits the road to take on PSU New Kensington.
Trysta Bricker, Junior, PSU Mont Alto
Bricker, a 5-foot-5 reserve middle infielder for Mont Alto, has appeared in three games this season.
She most recently took the field on March 13, going 0 for 1 in a 17-5 loss to Penn College.
Abby McElroy, Sophomore, Lebanon Valley College
McElroy has been a regular in the lineup for Lebanon Valley this season, appearing in 13 games, including nine starts.
A 5-foot-6 middle infielder, McElroy is batting .217 (5 for 23) with a double, run, and two RBI. She most recently took the field on March 25, going 1 for 4 in an 8-2 win over Alvernia.
The Dutchmen (6-10, 2-0 MAC Freedom) return to the field on Sunday, March 29, for a road game at FDU-Florham.
Michelle Baker, Junior, Chestnut Hill
Baker, a 5-foot-8 relief pitcher, has been effective in five appearances.
In 11 2/3 innings of work, Baker is 0-0 with a 4.20 ERA. She’s walked three batters and has struck out seven.
Baker had her longest outing of the season on March 10, when she pitched 4 1/3 innings and struck out two batters in an 11-9 loss to Staten Island.
Chestnut Hill (4-10, 0-2 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference) returns to the field on Wednesday, April 1, for a home doubleheader against Jefferson University.
Cameron Witte, Junior, Millersville
Witte, a 5-foot-4 outfielder, has provided a key bat for a Millersville offense that is scoring nearly six runs per game this season.
She’s appeared in 21 games, including 12 starts, and is batting .424 (14 for 33) with four doubles, five runs, and six RBI. Witte most recently connected for a hit on March 20, when she went 1 for 3 with a double and a run scored in a 13-8 victory over Lock Haven.
The Marauders (15-9, 5-3 PSAC) return to the field on Monday, March 30, for a road doubleheader at Bloomsburg.
GOLF
Tyler Fortney, Freshman, Mount Saint Mary’s
After appearing in three invites for the entire fall season, Fortney has established himself as a full-time starter in Mount Saint Mary’s lineup this spring.
He shook off the rust on March 12-14 at the WCU Peoples Championship, carding a 13-over 73-82-72-226 for 90th place. Fortney followed up that performance on March 16 with a brilliant showing at the Southern Intercollegiate. There, he was the Mount’s top golfer, shooting a 5-over 72-77-149 to finish in a tie for seventh place.
Fortney most recently competed on March 21-22, when he fired a 3-over 75-72-147 at the Carpetbagger Classic. With Fortney helping to guide the ship, Mount Saint Mary’s claimed the invite’s team title.
The Mount returns to competition on April 12-13 with a road trip to the Abarta Coca-Cola Intercollegiate.
Linkoln Gundacker, Sophomore, Geneva
Gundacker is set to embark on the spring season after competing in all eight of Geneva’s invites last fall.
He will be looking to build off a campaign that saw him fire a season-best 76 for seventh place at the Waynesburg Fall Invitational.
The Golden Tornadoes tee off next on Monday, March 30, when they host the Geneva Spring Opener.
INDOOR/OUTDOOR TRACK
Jada Creager, Sophomore, Mount St. Mary’s
Creager, a pole vaulter, recently collected the first win of her college career.
Competing at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational on March 19-21, she vaulted to a first-place finish with a mark of 10-11.75. One week later at the Navy Invitational on March 28, she took 12th in the pole vault with a 10-10.25.
Creager is coming off an indoor season that saw her take 14th at the MAAC Championships.
Cora Helman, Senior, Shenandoah
Helman capped off her indoor season with a PR, and then kicked off outdoors with two more.
She ended her indoor campaign on a high note at the ODAC Championships on Feb. 28-March 1, taking 16th in the 3,000 with a PR time of 11:46.81, while also taking 20th in the 5,000 in 21:17.38.
A few weeks later, Helman was outside and running better than ever at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational on March 19-21. There, she landed PR times in both the 10,000 (7th in 43:26.39) and mile (26th in 5:47.64), while also guiding Shenandoah’s 4×800 relay squad to a ninth-place finish in 11:07.71.
The Hornets will venture out to Williamsburg, Va., on Thursday, April 2, for the William & Mary Colonial Relays.
Joel Weber, Senior, Pitt-Johnstown
Weber has taken on two indoor invites since our last update.
On Jan. 16 at the Larry Brown Invitational, Weber ran to a 22nd-place finish in the mile (5:39.89) and a 26th-place showing in the 3,000 (11:15.46).
He improved on that 3,000 time at the Frank Colden Invitational on Feb. 7, posting an 11:03.27 for 18th place.
Pitt-Johnstown, now in its outdoor season, returns to action on Friday, April 3, when it hits the road for the Ohio University Cherry Blossom Invitational..
Joey Jacobs, Junior, Mount St. Mary’s
Jacobs is out of the gates for the outdoor track season with two PRs in two weeks.
Competing at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational on March 19-21, Jacobs blasted through the 3,000 in a PR time of 10:23.04 to earn 38th place. His next PR came on March 28 at the Lafayette Open, where he ran the 1,500 in 4:54.32 for 20th place.
Jacobs warmed up for the outdoor season by competing in one invite over the indoor campaign. He ran a PR time of 18:17.27 in the 5,000 for 14th place at the Libery Open on Jan. 23.24.
Mount St. Mary’s returns to competition on April 10-11 at the Messiah Invitational.
Owen Shockey, Freshman, Mount St. Mary’s
Shockey, a hurdler, has been inactive for Mount St. Mary’s so far this season.
Isabella Ruefle, Sophomore, Millersville
Ruefle enters the outdoor season with confidence after landing two Top 10 finishes at the PSAC Indoor Championships on Feb. 28-March 1.
At the conference meet, she claimed 10th in the mile with a PR time of 5:14.22, while also guiding Millersville’s distance medley relay team to a sixth-place finish in 12:23.62.
Ruefle kicked off her outdoor campaign on March 27-28 at the Danny Curran Invitational. There, she took 24th in the 1,500 with a PR time of 5:00.27, while also guiding her team’s 4×400 relay squad to a seventh-place finish in 4:23.16.
The Marauders will enjoy a home event on Friday, April 3, when they host the Millersville Metrics.
Will Campbell, Sophomore, Hagerstown CC
Campbell is off to a sharp start this spring with two PRs in as many invitationals.
He kicked off outdoor season on March 19-20 at the Richmond Fred Hardy Invitational and ran the 5,000 in a PR time of 16:22.71 for 17th place. Campbell ran another PR at the Doc Jopson Invitational on March 27-28 when he completed the 10,000 in 33:54 for fifth place.
Hagerstown returns competition on Friday, April 3, when it hits the road for the McDaniel College.
Josh Schuurman, Junior, Wheaton (Ill.)
Schuurman, a pole vaulter, capped off his indoor season with a medalist finish at the CCIW Championship on Feb. 27-28. At that meet, he claimed eighth place with a mark of 12-11.75.
He warmed up for the conference championships with a strong showing at the Tadd Metzger Invitational on Feb. 6-7. There, he posted a PR vault of 13-9.75 for third place.
Schuurman and Co. return to competition on Tuesday, March 31, for the Wheaton College Invite.
Gracie French, Sophomore, Juniata
French is ready for the spring season after finishing her indoor campaign with competition in two postseason meets.
She ran three events at the Landmark Conference Indoor Championships on Feb. 28 and was a medalist in all three: The 60 (5th in 7.94), 200 (5th in 26.53), and 4×400 relay (6th in 4:20.48).
French then took on the AARTFC Championships on March 6-7. She posted a PR time of 26.05 in the 200 for 27th place, and also took 37th in the 60 (8.04) and 23rd in the 4×200 relay (1:50.29).
She opened her outdoor season at the Jim Taylor Duals on March 27-28. There, she posted a PR in the 100 (12.75) for fourth place, while also taking seventh in the 200 (26.33).
Juniata returns to competition on April 9 for the Messiah Invitational.
Jaeda Dockman, Freshman, California (Pa.)
The multi-talented Dockman is running and jumping her way to success for California.
The PSAC Indoor Championships, held on Feb. 28-March 1, saw Dockman take 13th in the high jump with a leap of 5-0.5.
She heated up at the California Vulcans Early Bird on March 21. There, she posted PRs in both the long jump (5th, 17-7.5) and 200 (13th, 27.88), while also finishing as the runner-up in the high jump with a height of 5-1.
The Vulcans hit the road on Friday, April 3, for the Slippery Rock Labor Invitational.
Joseph Vacchio, Sophomore, Misericordia
Vacchio, a Waynesboro native who went to Lynbrook Senior High School, has competed in two invitationals this spring.
He posted a PR time of 22.44 in the 200 for 12th place at the Washington & Lee Carnival on March 20-21, while also landing 16th in the 100 in 11.15. Vacchio then nailed down a medalist finish at the LVC Blue & White Open on March 28, completing the 100 in a PR time of 11.07 to take sixth place.
Misericordia is back in competition on Wednesday, April 1, for the York Twilight.
Ben Williams, Freshman, Point Park
Williams, a thrower, is making a big impact in his first season of college competition.
He was a medal-winner at the Mountain East Indoor Championships on Feb. 21-22. Competing in the shot put, he logged a PR of 46-6.25 for fifth place.
Williams carried that momentum directly into the outdoor season, which he began on March 13 at the Phoenix Invitational. At that invite, he claimed third in the javelin (166-1) and fourth in the shot put (40-11.5). Williams followed that up with a PR in the javelin (6th, 176-3) at the Charlotte 49er Classic. He also finished 26th in the shot put (42-0.5).
Williams most recently competed at the Carnegie Mellon Invitational on March 27-28, a meet that saw him take third in the javelin (174-4) and 17th in the shot put (43-3.25).
Point Park returns to competition on Friday, April 3, at the Slippery Rock Dave Labor Invitational.
E-SPORTS
Laine Wilkinson, Freshman, Penn College
Wilkinson, a Valorant player, has helped guide Penn College to a 23-34-1 record so far this season.
EQUESTRIAN
Leyna Ribner, Junior, Seton Hill
Ribner, a Waynesboro native who went to Commonwealth Charter Academy, has been a regular competitor in Seton Hill’s lineup this spring.
She took fifth place in the Limit Flat at the Stonegate Meet on Feb. 28-March 1, before placing sixth in the same event at the Seton Hill Meet on March 8.
Ribner most recently competed at the IUP Meet on March 22, and took fifth in the Limit Flat.
The Griffins return to action on Sunday, March 29, for the Regional Finals, hosted by Slippery Rock.
LACROSSE
Alli Kuhar, Freshman, Bridgewater
Kuhar, an attacker for Bridgewater, has appeared in nine of 10 games, including three starts.
She’s totaled three goals and six assists, as well as two ground balls and one caused turnover. Kuhar recently impacted the box score on March 24, when she notched a goal and two assists in her team’s 13-0 win over Southern Virginia.
The Eagles (6-4, 1-0 ODAC) return to the field on Wednesday, April 1, for a road game at Shenandoah.
BASEBALL
Garrett Rosenberry, Senior, PSU Mont Alto
Rosenberry, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound utility player, has appeared in eight of 16 games for the Lions.
He’s been productive in his role, batting .320 (8 for 25) with two doubles, one home run, and 10 RBI. Rosenberry most recently took the field on March 13, going 2 for 3 with a home run and four RBI in an 11-0 win over United International College.
Mont Alto (7-9) returns to the diamond on Sunday, March 29, for a road doubleheader at PSU Scranton.
Dylan Morgan, Junior, PSU Mont Alto
Morgan has appeared in three games for Mont Alto this spring.
A 5-foot-9, 140-pound second baseman/outfielder, Morgan is batting .167. His hit came on March 8 in a 10-2 loss to Hagerstown CC on March 8.
Seth Dodson, Freshman, PSU Mont Alto
Dodson, a 6-foot, 150-pound right-handed pitcher, has made two mound appearances this spring.
In 2 2/3 innings of work, Dodson is 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA, two walks, and one strikeout.
Gunner Shifflett, Freshman, Hagerstown CC
Shifflett, a 5-foot-6, 152-pound outfielder, has provided a crucial bat in the lineup for the hard-hitting Hawks.
In 22 games, he is batting .308 (12 for 39) with three doubles, one triple, 13 runs, two RBI, and six stolen bases. Shifflett most recently logged a hit on March 28, going 1 for 3 with a double in his team’s 12-6 win over Community College of Allegheny County.
Hagerstown (20-4, 7-2 MD JUCO) returns to the field on Sunday, March 29, with a road game at Westmoreland County CC.
Bryan Benedict, Freshman, Hagerstown CC
Benedict has been a key player for a Hagerstown squad that’s already won 20 games this spring.
A 5-foot-7, 187-pound infielder, Benedict has played in every game for the Hawks and is batting .271 (19 for 70) with two doubles, one triple, three home runs, 25 runs, 15 RBI, and eight stolen bases.
Benedict most recently registered a hit on March 28, when he went 1 for 2 with two RBI and two walks in a 10-6 win over Community College of Allegheny County.
Ethan Hotchkiss, Freshman, York
Hotchkiss lifted off for the first home run of his career.
Competing in a 5-4 win over Lynchburg on March 1, Hotchkiss went 1 for 4 with a home run. It was the biggest effort of the season for Hotchkiss, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound first baseman/outfielder.
He’s appeared in eight games this spring, including five starts, and is batting .105 (2 for 19).
York (10-9, 4-3 MACC) returns to the field on Sunday, March 29, for a doubleheader at Widener.
Brett Powell, Freshman, Allegheny College
Powell, a 5-foot-1, 205-pound infielder, has been inactive for Allegheny so far this season.
The Gators (12-7, 4-0 PAC) return to the field on Sunday, March 29, to host Chatham in a doubleheader.
Garrett Beaver, Senior, Salisbury
Beaver, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed pitcher, has been productive out of the bullpen.
He’s made seven appearances and is 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA, with four walks and 11 strikeouts. Beaver most recently took the mound on March 24, allowing one earned run and striking out six batters over three innings in his team’s 7-6 win over Gwynedd Mercy.
Salisbury (16-6, 0-1 Coast to Coast Conference) returns to action on Tuesday, March 21, when it hosts Marymount (Va.).
SWIMMING
Joelle Blake, Junior, Hood
Blake is a conference champion in the 500 freestyle following a brilliant performance at the Middle Atlantic Championships on Feb. 12-15.
In that meet, she blasted off for victory in 5:50.06, while also taking 20th in the 200 backstroke (2:23.61) and 25th in the 200 freestyle (2:09.29). Remarkably, it was the first win of the season for Blake, who finishes off her winter with five podium finishes.
The Blazers finish their dual season at 3-9 (1-7 MAC).
JB Bonner, Freshman, Saint Mary’s College of Maryland
Bonner was a threat in the pool all season, with the first-year collegiate swimmer piling up four wins and 13 podium finishes.
He picked up two of those victories on Jan. 10, when he won the 100 backstroke (59.28) and 200 backstroke (2:10.13) in his team’s 207-28 win over Marywood. Bonner didn’t stop there, earning a win in the 200 backstroke (2:09.61) in the Seahawks’ 219-20 triumph over Immaculata on Jan. 17.
Bonner wrapped up his season at the Atlantic East Championships on Feb. 8-15. There, he took sixth in the 100 butterfly (54.35), and also competed in the 50 freestyle (22.36) and 50 backstroke (25.47).
Saint Mary’s concludes its dual season at 10-5 (3-1 AEC).
Maddy Stoops, Sophomore, Shippensburg
Stoops wrapped up her season with competition at the MAC Last Chance Meet on Jan. 31. In that meet she took third in the 100 backstroke (1:05.51), fifth in the 200 backstroke (2:24.73), and sixth in the 500 freestyle (5:55.66).
Shippensburg finishes its dual campaign at 3-6.
Cara Toney, Senior, California (Pa.)
Toney finished an active dual season for California with competition in four meets since our last update.
On Jan. 16 at the California Winter Frenzy, Toney posted a ninth-place finish in the 200 backstroke (2:46.68) and claimed 15th in the 50 freestyle (29.54). She posted two more Top 10 finishes — fourth place in the 50 backstroke (32.22) and sixth in the 50 butterfly (31.11) — in the Vulcans’ season finale, a 161-81 loss to Millersville on Jan. 31.
California wraps up its dual season at 2-5-1.
Brenner McIlquham, Sophomore, Mount Saint Mary’s
McIlquham has been inactive for Mount Saint Mary’s since our last update.
The Mount finishes their season at 2-3.
Lauren Wetzel, Graduate, Mount Saint Mary’s
Wetzel has competed in three meets since our last update, landing one podium finish in the process. That top finish came on Jan. 19, when she took third in the 50 backstroke in 28.37 in her team’s 177-120 loss to Lafayette.
Wetzel capped off her season on Feb. 11-14 at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships, taking 22nd in the 100 backstroke (58.74), 29th in the 50 freestyle (24.66), and 32nd in the 200 backstroke (2:11.76).
The Mount wraps up their campaign at 1-4.
Eve Phillips, Freshman, Mount Saint Mary’s
After nearly two months out of competition, Phillips returned to the pool in a big way at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships on Feb. 11-14. She took third in the 50 butterfly (25.75) and eighth in the 100 freestyle (52.26), while also logging a finish in the 50 freestyle (23.75).
Phillips finishes her first collegiate season with five podium finishes, including a win.
Delaney Stains, Freshman, Lock Haven
Stains has taken on four meets since our last update, logging a podium finish and a Top 8 invitational showing along the way.
Competing at the John A. Pidgeon Memorial Invitational on Jan. 17, Stains swam to an eighth-place finish in the 500 freestyle (7:05.04) and took 24th in the 100 breaststroke (1:38.95).
She capped off her season on Jan. 31 by swimming in three events in her team’s 96-69 loss to East Stroudsburg. Stains finished third in the 200 freestyle (2:32.91) and sixth in the 100 breaststroke (1:37.48).
Lock Haven finishes its dual season at 3-6 (1-5 PSAC).
Brenna Naddeo, Junior, Frostburg State
Naddeo capped off her season with competition at the Great Midwest-Mountain East Conference Championship on Feb. 10-13.
There, she took 33rd in both the 50 freestyle (26.26) and 100 freestyle (57.12), while also logging a 36th-place finish in the 200 freestyle (2:06.29).
Naddeo warmed up for the conference meet by posting a third-place finish in the 100 freestyle (59.05) on Jan. 10 in her team’s double dual sweep over Salem and Southern Virginia.
Frostburg State wraps up its dual campaign at 6-3 (4-0 MEC).
BASKETBALL
Ryan Shaffer, Junior, McDaniel
Shaffer started in all but one game for the Green Terror, who posted a winning record this season.
A 6-foot-3 guard, Shaffer appeared in all 27 games for McDaniel over the winter, including 26 starts, and in 737 minutes of playing time he totaled 193 points (7.1 ppg), 151 rebounds (5.6 rpg), 38 assists, 24 steals, and 13 blocks.
He wrapped up his season on March 7, posting 11 points, four rebounds, one block, one assist, and three steals in a 71-68 loss to Rutgers-Camden.
The Green Terror wrap up their campaign at 16-11 (6-7 Centennial Conference).
Genesis Alvarez, Freshman, Allegany College of Maryland
It was a down season for Allegany, but the good news for the Trojans is they have a solid player to build around in Alvarez.
A 5-foot-11 forward, Alvarez played in all 20 games for Allegany, including 17 starts, and in 684 minutes of playing time she led her team with 169 rebounds (8.5 rpg), 41 steals, and 28 blocks, while ranking No. 2 on the Trojans with 210 points (10.5 ppg) and 22 assists.
Alvarez posted a double-double on Feb. 12, when she posted 17 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, three blocks, and two steals in a 75-40 loss to Cecil College.
The Trojans end their season at 2-18 (1-10 MD JUCO).
Becca Cordell, Senior, Wilson
Cordell, a 5-foot-6 guard, helped guide Wilson to a winning record in her final season on the court.
She appeared in 22 of 26 games for the Phoenix, including two starts, and in 326 minutes of playing time she totaled 31 points (1.4 ppg), 34 rebounds (1.5 rpg), 24 assists, and 18 steals. Cordell most recently took the court on Feb. 21, posting a rebound and an assist in an 81-39 loss to PSU Abington.
She ends her four-year career for the Phoenix with appearances in 73 games, a span that saw her record 76 points, 82 rebounds, 48 assists, 29 steals, and one block.
Wilson wraps up its season at 15-11 (8-5 United East).
Aleksander Torbica, Freshman, Albright
Torbica, a 6-foot-7, 190-pound forward, saw limited action in seven games this season.
In 11 minutes of playing time he totaled five points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Torbica most recently littered the stat sheet on Feb. 18, when he posted a rebound, assist, and a steal in a 95-76 win over Stevenson.
Albright concludes its campaign at 16-10 (12-2 MAC Commonwealth).
Joseph Long, Hagerstown CC
Long, a 6-foot-6, 185-pound wing, has been inactive since our last update.
He finishes his season with appearances in two games.
Hagerstown wraps up its winter at 13-17 (9-6 MD JUCO).
WRESTLING
Calvin Myers, Freshman, Albright
Myers, a 157-pounder, was a key starter for Albright’s dual squad this season.
Myers went 12-10 and helped the Lions go on a seven-match winning streak, which culminated on Jan. 5 with a 35-17 win over Eastern. In that match, Myers pinned opponent Braydon Castillo in 4:28.
He picked up his final win of the season on Jan. 10, when he won a decision in Albright’s 25-21 loss to Shippensburg.
The Lions finish their dual campaign at 12-6.
Quinton Frampton, Graduate, Albright
Frampton, a wrestler who competes at 133/141/149, has been inactive for the Lions this season.
Jayden Rooney, Freshman, Messiah
Rooney, a reserve 149-pounder, was inactive for Messiah this season.
