WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – With seven returning starters and all three primary pitchers from a team that posted its best finish in the conference standings in 10 years, the Lycoming College softball team is set to continue to improve when it begins the 2022 season in Myrtle Beach against St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) on Monday afternoon, March 14.
 
The Warriors finished 9-9 record in their first season in the MAC Freedom in 2021 after a 13-year run in the MAC Commonwealth, the team's best conference record since 2011, and this year's squad returns three all-conference performers from that group.
 
"We had some really positive things that we can build off from last year," ninth-year head coach Melissa Montoro said. "The things that we focused on when we did well are the same things we have to focus on this year – competing at all times, focusing when we're between the lines and playing smart softball. We have the talent to compete and be one of the best teams in the MAC Freedom, but we have to be willing to compete for every single thing we get."
 
With significant depth throughout the lineup, Montoro will have plenty of versatility to work with when the season begins during its eight-game trip to Myrtle Beach and then when it returns to Williamsport for 30 games in a span of 40 days.
 
Pitchers
All three Lycoming pitchers that accounted for all the 168 2/3 innings return for the Warriors, led by senior Angie King (Cooperstown, Pa./Maplewood) and junior Payton Whary (Shamokin, Pa./Shamokin Area).
 
King pitched 57 2/3 innings, posting a 4.37 ERA and four wins as a junior, striking out 29 and waking 25. Whary, who threw a perfect game against Delaware Valley, added a 4.51 ERA in a team-high 63 2/3 innings, walking 16 and striking out 23.
 
Sophomore left-hander Kylie Russell (Jersey Shore, Pa./Jersey Shore Area) also returns and could step into a larger role after going 2-2 with a 2.22 ERA as a rookie in 47 1/3 innings, as she walked five and struck out 42.
 
First-years Avery Eiswerth (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) and Molly Shappell (Christiana, Pa./Octorara Area) can also see time in the circle.
 
Catchers
Senior Kacee Reitz (Milton, Pa./Milton Area) is back after being the team's primary catcher in 2021, as the Milton, Pa., native posted a .264 average with two doubles, 15 runs and 14 RBI in 25 games. She also led the team with seven sacrifice bunts and caught three base-stealers.
 
First-year Rachel Daub (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale) and junior Mackenzie Glosek (Coal Township, Pa./Shamokin Area) will give Reitz the chance to move into the infield as well.
 
Infielders
The Warriors return players with plenty of experience in the infield, as the depth provided is possibly the best in Baer's tenure as head coach.
 
Glosek heads a group of four or five players that can see time at first base after starting 15 games at the position in 2021, as she posted three runs, a double and six RBI. Shappell and Eiswerth can both see time at the spot, as well as senior Morgan Klosko (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Valley West), a two-time all-conference designated player. Klosko hit .379 in 2021 with 10 runs, six doubles, a homer and a team-leading 17 RBI.
 
At second base, sophomore Missy Van Klingeren (Byram Township, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional) will move into the position after starting four games at the spot as a rookie. Reitz can also see time at the spot when not behind the dish.
 
Junior Kaleigh Kinley (Bellefonte, Pa./Bald Eagle Area) took over the shortstop position as a sophomore, as she posted a .933 fielding percentage and posted 10 runs, a double, a triple and five RBI in 23 games. Daub will also see time at the position when not catching.
 
Sophomore Rachel DeWolfe (New Cumberland, Pa./Cedar Cliff), after starting 25 games at second base in 2021, will move across the infield to third base, as she posted six runs and two doubles during her first season. Sophomore Kylie Segraves (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) gives the team another returning starter that can see time at the hot corner after serving as an outfielder as a rookie. She hit .338 with 11 runs, eight doubles, a homer and 11 RBI as a rookie.
 
Outfielders
Depth will also not be an issue in the outfield, where a mix of eight players can see time, including all three returning starters, two of which were all-conference picks.
 
Junior Morgan Wetzel (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain), a second-team all-conference selection, will head up the team's outfield contingent from her spot in center field. Wetzel hit .423 in 2022, posting 33 hits in 78 at bats with 15 runs, seven doubles, a triple, four homers and 17 RBI, as she slugged a heavy .692 in her first full season.
 
Russell, who started 25 games in left field, also returns after she led the team with a .247 batting average, a team-best 17 runs, six doubles, a triple and seven RBI which helped her earn honorable mention all-conference honors. She will again be hard to take out of the lineup, as she also led the team with 10 walks and a .351 on-base percentage, but she could see more time in the circle.
 
Junior Madalyn Bechdel (Beech Creek, Pa./Central Mountain) hit .395 as a sophomore, posting 15 hits in 38 at bats while also seeing time as a pinch runner as well as in both corner outfield spots. First year Jacqueline Snyder (Cogan Station, Pa./Williamsport Area), Segraves, Whary, King and Eiswerth can all also see time in the corner outfield spots.