SMETHPORT – Christine Lightner will field an experienced
Smethport High girls’ softball team that should be a contender for
honors in the District 9 North Division.
Three girls – Kayla Lincoln, Brandi Burdick and Janelle Gifford
– have been lost to graduation.
Eight letterwinners return from the 2005 season when the Lady
Hubbers compiled a 20-5 record. It was a season which they advanced
to the PIAA final eight.
Only one outfielder, Britni Smith, is a senior. Juniors are
Bobbi McClelland, shortstop; Matti Baker, first base; and Stephanie
Black, third base and designated hitter.
The sophomores are Diana Phalon and Emma Hahn, pitchers; Lauren
Kinniburgh, catcher; and Megan Woods, outfield and second base.
Lightner points to her pitching staff as a plus this year.
Phalon and Hahn turned in excellent performances last season as
freshmen.
Six promising freshmen have joined the team this season,
according to Lightner.
“Karissa Stuck and Tarra Sharro are both pretty strong hitters,”
said Lightner, who begins her fourth season as head coach. “Nikki
Hoffower is a good glove and a great bunter and Bobbi Jo MItchell
is also a good glove and can potentially fill a vacancy for us at
third base.
“Erica Lathrop has good basic skills and is a solid all-around
player. Alyssa Cunningham, who is quick and has good speed, could
find a job at second base. Overall, these girls are pretty
knowledgeable about softball and form a good basis for the
future.”
Unity characterizes the team, Lightner noted.ð
“Our letterwinners give us a lot of experience since they played
in summer tournaments,” she said.
Commenting on the upcoming season, Lightner noted, “In high
school softball there is a very thin line between teams that
advance to the PIAA playoffs and teams with mediocre records. Last
year, we lost five games: four by one run and the other by two
runs. We also won four games by one run.ð We have the potential to
be a very successful team again this year.
“The key for us is to reach our potential. We will work hard to
do just that.”
The Lady Hubbers were District 9 champions in 1996, 1997, 1999,
2000, 2003 and 2004.
Assisting Lightner will be Dr. Jim Kane.
