The Waynesboro softball team has a little bit of pep in its step after kicking off the season with a big victory over New Oxford on Wednesday.
Just about everything went right for the Maidens. They played error-free defense, rapped out 11 hits, and got seven strong innings from their top two pitchers.
It was a good start for Waynesboro, but now it’s time for the Maidens to get back to work for their home opener against Carlisle on Friday. The Thundering Herd, loaded with returning All-Star talent from last season’s District 3-6A quarterfinalist squad, are off to a 2-0 start and will be one of the toughest challenges of the season for Waynesboro.
The confident Maidens know they’ll have to bring their ‘A’ game to hang with Carlisle in this contest, which we’ve selected as our Game of the Week.
In the weeks and months to come throughout the high school sports season, we plan on spotlighting multiple teams and sports with our Game of the Week. Any big upcoming games or meets we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
Carlisle at Waynesboro
First pitch: Friday, 4:15 p.m., at Waynesboro.
Records: Carlisle is 2-0, while Waynesboro checks in with a 1-0 record.
Last game: The Thundering Herd posted an 8-1 win over West York, while the Maidens are coming off an 11-6 win over New Oxford.
Last meeting: Carlisle defeated Waynesboro 3-2 in last year’s season finale.
Meet the Thundering Herd: Using a strong balance of offense and pitching, coach Laura Keim’s Carlisle squad enters this contest on a two-game winning streak … The Thundering Herd are looking to recapture the magic that guided them to last year’s District 3-6A quarterfinals, where their season came to an end with a 12-1 loss to Chambersburg … Carlisle’s lineup features four returning Mid-Penn Keystone Division All-Stars, including senior Alexis Kline, who was selected as the division’s Player of the Year … Kline not only brings a solid bat and glove to the lineup, she’s also the Herd’s No. 1 pitcher and she showed why when she struck out 10 batters in a 7-1 win over New Oxford … Other returning All-Stars for Carlisle include First Teamers Summer Kunza (catcher) and Mackenzie Lilley (outfield), and Second Team selection Molly Renninger (pitcher/shortstop).
Meet the Maidens: Coach Troy Witte’s squad is off to a good start after winning their season opener for at least the fourth-straight season … Powering Waynesboro to victory in that game were a couple of returning Mid-Penn Colonial Division All-Stars in Emma Bradley and and Riley Shetler, both Third Team selections in 2024 … Bradley was dominant at the plate — where she was 4 for 5 with a home run, 2 runs, and five RBI — and in the pitching circle, where she allowed one earned run over five innings … Shetler also showed pop in her bat, going 2 for 4 with two doubles, two runs, and two stolen bases, while also working two innings in the circle and allowing one earned run … The Maidens have another returning Colonial All-Star in their lineup: Second Teamer Lydia Shank … Rylee Miller and Abby Byers are both off to fast starts at the plate for Waynesboro … A win would give the Maidens a huge boost of confidence in their quest to qualify for districts for the first time since 2022.
Sandrik’s pick: Carlisle by 2.
