Northampton, Freedom lead division
Parkland is considered the premier program in local high school softball with six straight league championships and five district titles in the last six years.
So it was no surprise when the Trojans won a 16-team summer tournament last July that culminated with semifinal and championship games at Coca-Cola Park.
But it should be noted that two of the other teams to reach the final four were Freedom and Northampton, and it was the Konkrete Kids who reached the tournament final. The K-Kids and Patriots figure to be title contenders again this spring.
Northampton, which was in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference’s Skyline Division, is now in the Northampton County Division, where it will battle three Bethlehem schools, Easton and Nazareth, which has also come aboard from the Skyline.
While the pandemic caused every team to miss out on a 2020 season, it especially hurt teams such as Easton and Liberty, who lost a bunch of quality seniors.
Still, the six in this division all figure to be competitive as a 16-game league schedule begins Tuesday with all divisional matchups. Liberty plays at Easton, Northampton visits Bethlehem Catholic and Freedom travels to Nazareth. On Thursday, the same matchups will occur at Liberty, Northampton and Freedom.
With the COVID-19 numbers still high, it’s hard to predict what will happen in mid-May. But the hope is that the top eight EPC teams will advance to a league tournament.
Here’s a look at what to expect:
4 difference makers
Katelyn Stuhldreher, Northampton. As a sophomore in 2019, Stuhldreher, a shortstop, hit .342 with four home runs and 18 RBIs.
Jen Slanovec, Freedom. Slanovec helped Bethlehem Catholic reach the state finals in 2018 as a freshman. In a state playoff win over Jersey Shore, she allowed three hits over four innings after coming on in relief and struck out 10. She transferred to Freedom and in
her last game of 2019, she struck out 13 in a District 11 6A quarterfinal classic, losing 1-0 in eight innings at Emmaus.
Jayden Spigner, Bethlehem Catholic. Spigner will be in her fourth season as a starter. She contributed to the 2018 team that reached the state finals. She figures to be the leader of a young team looking to make another championship charge.
Rivers Edwards, Nazareth. Asa sophomore two seasons ago, Edwards hit .377. As a catcher, she will be helpful to the young pitchers on the Blue Eagles staff.
3 who could surprise
Nequi Fersner, Easton. She batted .286 with a home run and scored 18 times in 2019.
Emma Bond, Bethlehem Catholic. The Golden Hawks didn’t score a lot of runs in 2019 and that put a lot of pressure on the then freshman pitcher Bond, who progressed as the season went on. Two years later, she figures to be much more polished and poised in the pitching circle.
Lily Stuhldreher, Northampton. As a freshman in 2019, Stuhldreher batted .429.
2 storylines
Sam’s club. After being away from the Hurricanes from most of the last two years, veteran Liberty coach Sam Carrodo is back with a young team. After COVID-19 spoiled the senior year of 13 players, the Hurricanes are starting over with a new cast but the Liberty program always seems to have talent entering the pipeline and Carrodo gets the most out of them.
Special 25th anniversary: Northampton coach Kristy (Gestl) Henritzy was a key member of the Konkrete Kids state championship softball team in 1995. A quarter-century later she has a team capable of celebrating that silver anniversary with a run toward state gold.
1 man’s opinion
Predicted order of finish: 1. Northampton; 2. Freedom; 3. Bethlehem Catholic; 4. Liberty; 5. Easton; 6. Nazareth. Team-by-team outlook BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC
Coach: Rich Mazza (19th season, 290-125).
2019: 12-10, 8-8. Beat Central Catholic 12-2, lost to Blue Mountain 4-3 in District 11 4A.
Impact players: Franceca Oberholzer (So. 1B); Jordan Merklin (Jr. 2B); Abby Rodriguez (Sr. SS); Angie Iovino (Jr. 3B); Adrianna Truss (So. LF); Jayden Spigner (Sr. CF); Ashley Judd (Sr. RF); Cristal Torres (So. DP); Tiegan Boyle (Jr. C); Emma Bond (Jr. P).
What to expect: The Golden Hawks have strength up the middle with Boyle at catcher, Bond in the pitching circle and Spigner in center. Mazza believes he has a solid defense, but is concerned about the Hawks’ hitting. Becahi hit the ball well in scrimmages against Pen Argyl and Pottsville, but needs to do with it consistency. “We have a lot of young players and they’re going to make mistakes,” Mazza said. “But we have kids who practice hard and they’re further ahead than we thought they’d be at this time. And they seem to get to get along well.” EASTON Coach: Ed McIntyre (39th season, 456-346-1).
2019: 13-10, 11-5 EPC. Lost to Emmaus 4-0 in EPC quarterfinals. Beat Liberty 11-1, lost to Parkland 8-3 in District 11 6A tournament.
Impact players: Christina Clymer (Sr. 1B); Nequi Fersner (Sr. OF); Regina Bangcoro (Sr. P-OF); Madison Borluca (Sr. P-1B); Jocelyn Creazzo (Sr. OF); Francesca Grassia (Sr. OF); Annabeth Alley (Jr. OF-1B); Sabryna Cusano (Jr. C3B); Samarah Chiger (Jr. C-1B); Gianna Fredericks (Jr. SS).
What to expect: Clymer and Fersner are the only players with varsity experience. McIntyre said his team has already lost practice days, games and scrimmages to COVID-19 and believes “being flexible in our approach, and dealing with whatever the 2021 season presents will be the biggest challenge for teams, coaches and players. Overcoming these adversities will make us stronger in the future.”All of that said, it’s a tough division and the Red Rovers will have to have to work hard to stay among the the top three.
FREEDOM
Coach: Michele Laubach (third season, 16-7).
2019: 16-7, 12-4 EPC. Won the Steel Division. Lost to Emmaus 1-0 in the District 11 6A tournament.
Impact players: Brenna Ortwein (Sr. CF); Hailey Snisky (Sr. 1B); Jen Slanovec (Sr. P); Matison Piripavel (Sr. C/IF); Gabby Glick (Sr. RF); Corrin Gill (Sr.
IF); Abby Husser (Sr. P/3B); Natalie Stannard (Jr. LF); Julia Heineman (So. IF); Brianna Cole (So. C/3B); Kaitlin McDevitt (Jr. DP/IF)
What to expect: Freedom has several senior players who have started since their freshman year (Ortwein, Snisky, Glick, Gill, Piripavel). The Pates have 10 seniors on the roster who bring great leadership. The Pates will rely on strong pitching from seniors Jen Slanovec and Abby Husser along with newcomer junior Rebecca Taney. Freedom enjoyed reaching the finals in the Lehigh Valley High School Softball Tournament at Coca-Cola Park last August where they fell to Parkland, but are really looking forward to this season.
LIBERTY
Coach: Sam Carrodo (sixth season, 78-39).
2019: 10-10, 9-7 EPC. Lost to Easton 11-1 in the District 11 6A tourney.
Impact Players: Tori Panik (Jr. 2B);
Elly Powers (Sr. OF); Hailey Pyle (Fr. P); Arriana Castillo (Fr. SS); Maddie Noll (Fr. C) Maddie Knepp (So. 3B)
What to expect: The Hurricanes were as devastated as any area program by the pandemic as 13 seniors lost a last chance to play high school softball.
Just one player with varsity experience returns, Panik.“Being as young as we are, we may take some lumps this year, but it will give the players the needed knowledge and experience they lack right now,” Carrodo said. “I believe in this team and our goal is to improve each game, while still having fun.” Carrodo missed the 2019 season with physical issues and is excited to be back after two years away.
NAZARETH
Coach: Stephen Genzale (second season, 0-0).
2019: 15-7, 11-5 EPC. Lost to Northampton 6-3 in EPC quarterfinals. Lost to Whitehall 7-6 in District 11 6A quarterfinals.
Impact players: Rivers Edwards (Sr. C), Gini Frace (Sr. 3B), Grace White (Sr. 1B), Hannah Karc (Jr. SS), Kara Wilson (Jr. P), Grace Olson (So. OF)
What to expect: Genzale started his tenure with a canceled season. He only has one player (Rivers Edwards) with varsity experience and one other player (Hannah Karc) who received a varsity letter in her freshman year, which was cut short due to injuries. Genzale has an inexperienced but hungry team. He is optimistic about the growth of the pitchers and believes his offense has the potential to be explosive. NORTHAMPTON
Coach: Kristy Henritzy (third season, 36-12).
2019: 19-6, 12-4 EPC. Beat Nazareth
6-3, beat Emmaus 2-0, lost to Parkland 4-0 in EPC tourney. Beat Stroudsburg 9-1, lost to Whitehall 8-6 in District 11 6A tourney.
Impact players: Katelyn Stuhldreher (Sr. SS); Kaira Zamadics (Jr. P); Taylor Kranzley (Jr. 2B); Rilee Ehrlacher (Jr.
OF); Lily Stuhldreher (Jr OF); Devyn Demchak (Jr 1B); Kendyll Strohl (Sr. 3B); Jessie Hunt (Sr C); Alexa Chromey (Jr. Utility); Chrissy Rabenold (So. OF)
What to expect: After having a talented team benched by COVID-19 last summer, Henritzy is enthusiastic about this season. She has an experienced, deep and versatile team with “a group of girls with a ton of grit and determination.” Katelyn Stuhldreher and Kendyll Strohl are captains and four-year starters. The Kids’ mix of experience on the mound and talented group of younger players figure to make Northampton one of the EPC’s elite.