PC softball will work with compact roster in 2021

by Tom Utescher
Posted 3/31/21

In terms of the weather, things seemed to have gone from March to May last Tuesday afternoon. In sunny and unseasonably warm conditions, Penn Charter's softball team saw its first action in a …

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PC softball will work with compact roster in 2021

Posted

In terms of the weather, things seemed to have gone from March to May last Tuesday afternoon. In sunny and unseasonably warm conditions, Penn Charter's softball team saw its first action in a scrimmage against visiting St. Basil Academy.

With no 2020 season to speak of, the Quakers' varsity has changed quite a bit since they last took to the field in earnest. Back in 2019, PC had made an undefeated run to the Inter-Ac League championship, going on to seize the Pa. Independent Schools title, as well.

Three Penn Charter athletes never got to play their senior season last spring, Anastasia Lewis, Maddie Solow, and outfielder Emily Spencer. Lewis, a pitcher with pace, and Solow, an outfielder with a strong bat who could also work the pitcher's circle, were both four-year varsity players.

Some of last year's underclassmen are not on the team this spring, so the Quakers are beginning the 2021 campaign with a roster of just 12 players.

Back at the helm of the team is the only head coach the PC softball program has ever known, Donald "Doc" Mittica. In her third year as assistant coach is Gabrielle Tareila, who played for Spring-Ford High School and then for Kutztown University. The other assistant this spring is Katie Quinn, who played for Archbishop Carroll High School and is now teaching at Penn Charter.

For its scrimmage against St. Basil Academy last Tuesday, Penn Charter started with senior Averie Schnupp in the pitching circle. The Lafayette Hill native also plays in the outfield when not throwing.

She is one of the Quakers' three senior captains, along with Neilee Koslosky (a fourth-year starter) and Abby Brown, who started in centerfield and at first base, respectively.

Koslosky's sister Kamryn, a junior, started at shortstop against the Panthers, while her classmate Luciana Boggi caught for Schnupp. Another 11th grader, Madi Brooks, started in left field, and at second base was sophomore Danni McIntyre, who was named to the varsity last year but saw her freshman season vanish with the Coronavirus.

Third baseman Macie Bergman, also a catcher, was brought up to the upper school varsity last spring while still an eighth-grader. She started on third base last Tuesday, and a new ninth-grade classmate, Payton Handler, began out in right field and later came in to pitch.

The other freshmen on the roster are Alyssa Loffer, Francesca Luzi, and Bella Olsen.