WAYNESBORO – It’s been a strange two years for spring high school sports.
The 2020 season was lost to COVID-19. The 2021 season was, in some ways, a restart after not playing games for two calendar years.
For Waynesboro, last season wasn’t kind to the Maidens. They finished 7-13 after playing in the PIAA tournament the year before. Steven McElroy didn’t get to coach a single game in 2020 in his first season after succeeding Aaron Burke.
But McElroy is eager to make good memories in 2022, and the team got off to a winning start to the season with a 19-6 victory over Cedar Cliff at Maiden Field.
“The ladies have brought a great attitude and positive energy to the field this year. Although we don’t have a ton of depth, we have a lot of talent with not only our returning players but our new additions as well. Our goal is to build off our season ending three-game winning streak and make a strong push to make the playoffs.”
McElroy has been around softball for quite some time. He was an assistant and head coach in the WAGS organization for five years and six seasons with the Lady Renegades Fastpitch team for six years (the last five as head coach),
“My first season as a roller coaster,” he said. “We had six freshmen and sophomores on varsity last year that had zero high school experience due to the COVID restrictions from the prior year. In addition to the inexperience, we had some key injuries that made us adjust on the fly. We ended the season on a high note winning our last three games ending the season at a 7-13 record.”
McElroy and his players are aiming higher this season, and it will start on the mound. Abby McElroy and Jadyn Horner combined for 14 starts in 2021, with McElroy making nine starts on the mound.
“I am only carrying eleven full-time varsity players this year, so starting lineup will vary game to game,” McElroy said. “Pitching depth is a strength of our team, so we will have different looks depending on the starting pitcher.”
Indeed, a dominant pitcher can make up for a lack of offense. It can also keep pressure off the defense if opposing teams can’t get good swings, or strike out.
ROSTER
Senior – Jadyn Horner
Juniors – Michelle Baker, Trysta Bricker, Slaydon Fisher, Karsyn Moore, Cameron Witte
Sophomores – Abby McElroy, Alex Mond, Zoie Singrey, Peyton Fitz
Freshman – Riley Shetler
SCHEDULE
March 29, West Perry, 3:30 p.m.; March 31, at Greencastle-Antrim, 4:15 p.m.; April 5, James Buchanan, 4:15 p.m.; April 7, at Northern York, 4:15 p.m.; April 8, at South Western, 4:15 p.m.; April 11, Dover, 4:15 p.m.; April 12, Boiling Springs, 4:15 p.m.; April 14, at Shippensburg, 4:15 p.m.; April 18, Chambersburg, 4:15 p.m.; April 19, at Big Spring, 4:15 p.m.; April 21, at West Perry, 3:30 p.m.; April 26, Greencastle-Antrim, 4:15 p.m.; April 28, at James Buchanan, 4:15 p.m.; May 3, Northern York, 4:15 p.m.; May 5, at Boiling Springs, 4:15 p.m.; May 6, Carlisle, 4:15 p.m.; May 10, Shippensburg, 4:15 p.m.; May 12, Big Spring, 4:15 p.m.; May 16, at Mechanicsburg 4:15 p.m.
