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Glendale vikings

Glendale Junior/Senior High School

Glendale vikings

Glendale Junior/Senior High School

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Headline

5.0 years ago by John Matchock

Defending District 6 Class A champs ready for challenge of new season

By Rich Murawski of the Progress

FLINTON — When Phil Barroner took over the Glendale softball program five seasons ago, he needed the girls to buy into his system and believe in what they we’re doing.

A group of six girls that were freshmen when he stepped in did just that and the Glendale softball program climbed to heights not seen in nearly three decades.

The Lady Vikings went 19-5 last season, won a District 6 Class A title and advanced to the second round of the PIAA playoffs.

But Glendale lost Lauryn Clarkson, Sydney Gallaher, Keneisha Gustafson, Kyla Holtz, Ellie Leyo and Cierra O’Shell to graduation leaving a large void to fill in order to continue having success.

“That group overall was what changed the majority of the culture at Glendale,” Barroner said. “They made softball here what it is and what it is going to be going forward. Between leadership and the different things that each one of them did, they’re going to be hard to replace.”

Despite the loss of six key figures, the cupboard is certainly not bare.

The Lady Vikings return seven letterwinners in seniors Kristen Hewitt and Makenzie Lukehart, juniors Kennedy LeMaster, Lexi Mulhollen and Brooke Smeal and sophomores Madison Lukehart and Alaney Vereshack.

“We have some elite gloves and some elite hitters that are going to help us compete,” Barroner said. “This year is going to be more about the role players and the expectations set by the letterwinners. We know what they are going to give us, now we have to find the rest of the pieces to the puzzle.”

Several big pieces to that puzzle are pitcher Mulhollen, catcher Hewitt, third baseman LeMaster and centerfielder Makenzie Lukehart.

“You’re pretty solid when you can return a catcher, pitcher and centerfielder,” Barroner said. “And I think our third baseman, Kennedy, doesn’t get enough credit. She does a lot for us and takes away from what other teams can do. She fields third base really well and takes away a lot of bunt chances.”

Mulhollen will likely be the key.

She put together a stellar sophomore campaign in the circle, going 15-4 with a 2.41 ERA. She struck out 114 batters in 119 1/3 innings pitched and tossed 17 complete games, including five shutouts.

“Every year Lexi seems to get a little bit better,” Barroner said. “Her maturity level keeps going up, She has the game experience and continues to work on her pitching. And whether she wants to be or not, she’s a leader of this team, and they will follow her.”

Both Alaney and Breanna Vereshack could spell Mulhollen in the circle. Alaney had a 2-1 record and a 2.56 ERA in 13 2/3 innings of work last year. Breanna tossed four innings.

“We definitely have two more arms that we can put in if need be,” Barroner said. “Obviously you always ride the big horse, but whenever you have the opportunity to put someone else in, we’re not too shy about saying, ‘here’s the ball,’ to them.”

Mulhollen and Alaney Vereshack will also be two of the bats the Lady Vikings count on the most.

Mulhollen hit .425 last season with 11 doubles, seven home runs and 27 RBIs, while Vereshack had a memorable freshman season, batting .421 with a Progressland-best 36 RBIs.

Hewitt will reprise her role behind the plate and in the heart of the order after batting .464 with 21 runs scored and 23 RBIs a season ago.

While the battery and the hot corner are in very good hands, the rest of the Glendale infield is going to have a new look.

Alaney Vereshack will move from the outfield to shortstop to take over for Gustaffson, while Breanna Vereshack goes from her role as a bench player to the starter at first where Gallaher called home the past three seasons.

And taking over for Leyo at second is most likely going to be freshman Olivia Reese.

“She’s athletic, but will definitely have to mature and work on her game,” Barroner said. “But she has definitely been a bright start for being a freshman.”

Lukehart is back to patrol centerfield and provide a spark at the top of the lineup after batting .452 with 38 hits and 38 runs scored to go with 9 doubles and 11 stolen bases.

Both corner outfield positions will sport new starters following the loss of O’Shell and her .500 batting average and Vereshack with her move to the infield. Smeal, who hit .286 in 35 at bats last season, is definitely going to be in one of the spots.

“Brooke is going to be a big part of our offense and she’ll play either left or right depending on which position I think is going to be more important for us at certain times,” Barroner said.

The other spot is still up for grabs between Madison Lukehart, junior Cassidy Hamilton and freshman Lilley Vereshack.

“Thanks to the snow I have a couple more days to figure that out,” Barroner said. “I’m really excited that I have those three girls battling for that spot. All three of them run well, so whoever doesn’t get that outfield role is going to find time on the field as a pinch runner or courtesy runner and the dp (designated player) is going to be a big factor for us as well.”

Barroner said sophomore Taylor Duclo is also in line for substantial playing time in a utility role, while juniors Tessa Berger (OF-C), Rain Delucia (OF-1B), Amber Glass (1B) and Molly Mulhollen (1B) provide quality depth for the Lady Vikings, who come into the season as the defending District 6 Class A champions, which means everyone will be gunning for them.

“From a coaching point of view, you want to make sure you don’t take anyone lightly,” Barroner said. “From the player’s point of view, it’s really great that the culture has changed and the motivation no longer has to come from me. It comes from them. They want to be good. It’s not as fun being hunted as it is chasing, so I hope we’re up to the challenge, and I think we will be.”

The Lady Vikings always have a list of goals each year and this season is no different.

“We have 10 goals every year and we knock them off the list as we accomplish them,” Barroner said. “Anything we don’t accomplish goes back on the list until we accomplish it. And obviously Penn State was an experience we loved. We got the chance to go once, so this year we want to return.”

And the Lady Vikings are certainly hoping for another PIAA push as well.

“We got a little taste of the state playoffs, but the second round is not always the goal,” Barroner said. “We want to keep pushing and I know some of these girls want to push beyond that. It’s a step at a time and we have to get there first. But I’m telling you right now that this group definitely wants to return.”

The Lady Vikings were scheduled to begin the season today hosting Moshannon Valley, but that game has been postponed to April 2 due to unplayable field conditions.

Glendale’s next scheduled game is Monday, hosting Claysburg-Kimmel.

Roster

Seniors

*Kristen Hewitt, *Makenzie Lukehart.

Juniors

Tessa Berger, Rain Delucia, Amber Glass, Cassidy Hamilton, *Kennedy LeMaster, *Lexi Mulhollen, Molly Mulhollen, *Brooke Smeal.

Sophomores

Taylor Duclo, *Madison Lukehart, *Alaney Vereshack, Breanna Vereshack.

Freshmen

Olivia Reese, Lilley Verehsack.

*Returning letterwinners

Schedule

March

26—Claysburg-Kimmel. 28—Bellwood-Antis.

April

2—Moshannon Valley. 5—at Mount Union. 9—West Branch. 11—at Williamsburg. 12—at harmony. 13—ay Juniata Valley. 16—at Clearfield. 17—Northern Cambria (Elderberry Park), 7 p.m. 18—at Altoona. 19—at Claysburg-Kimmel, 4 p.m. 23—at Bellwood-Antis, 4 p.m. 25—Mount Union. 30—at Curwensville, 4:15 p.m.

May

1—Williamsburg. 3—Juniata Valley. 7—at West Branch. 9—at Moshannon Valley. 11—Harmony.

Games begin at 4:30 p.m. unless noted.

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