THE SPORTS REPORT: NORTH PENN-LIBERTY'S TICE HEADLINES ALL-REGION SOFTBALL TEAM AS 'PLAYER OF THE YEAR;' TIOGA COUNTY WELL-REPRESENTED (2023-07-05)

The Sports Reports
Teams on both sides of the border won games at States, with North Penn-Liberty going 22-1-1, unbeaten in the regular season and winning a game in states, and Edison reaching the state final four in New York.

The two teams combined for four of the major awards with North Penn-Liberty’s Mackenzi Tice earning “Player of the Year” honors. Tice went 19-1 on the mound, throwing 136 innings with a 1.24 ERA and 195 strikeouts.

At the plate, Tice hit .484 with a .505 on-base percentage. She had 46 hits, 13 doubles, a home run, 33 runs scored and 21 RBI.

Gabby Milazzo of Edison was the “Pitcher of the Year.” She was 10-2 in the circle, with a 1.65 ERA and 116 strikeouts against just 19 walks in 89 innings. She also committed no errors in the field this season.

At the plate, Milazzo hit .475 with a .536 on-base percentage and she had 24 RBI, while striking out just two times all season.

Notre Dame’s Lawson Bigelow is the “Offensive Player of the Year.” She hit .531 with a school-record 13 home runs and 34 RBI. She had a slugging percentage of 1.234.

Haley Litzelman of NP-L is the “Newcomer of the Year.” She hit .402 as the clean-up hitter with 33 hits, including eight doubles, four home runs and a triple. She had 26 runs scored and 36 RBI. The freshman threw 23 innings and was 3-0 with a 0.61 ERA and 38 strikeouts.

North Penn-Liberty coach Jason Chapel helped guide his team to a District 4, Class AAA Championship, a 22-1-1 record, a state playoff win, an NTL title and an undefeated regular season and he’s the coach of the year in his second season as coach. He is the “Coach of the Year.”

Troy’s Caitlyn Knapp is the “Defensive Player of the Year.” She had  a .941 fielding percentage, while also picking off several base runners, and throwing out several more trying to steal on the season. She hit .377 with 25 RBI and seven home runs.

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PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Mackenzi Tice, NP-L
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Lawson Bigelow, Notre Dame
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Gabby Milazzo, Edison
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Caitlyn Knapp, Troy
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Haley Litzelman, NP-L
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jason Chapel, NP-L

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FIRST TEAM
MACKENZIE TICE, NP-LIBERTY:  See above. (Tice was the Northern Tier West Sports Report All-Tioga County Softball Offensive Player, Pitcher and overall Player of the Year.)

GABBY MILAZZO, EDISON: See above. (The Southern Tier Sports Report “Player of the Year” and a first-team all-state selection.)

OLIVIA SWITZER, NOTRE DAME: An all-state selection, and the Southern Tier Sports Report “Pitcher of the Year,” Switzer hit .431, while posting a 2.04 ERA with 156 strikeouts. She was a two-time IAC “Player of the Year.”

SOPHIA POLZELLA, CORNING: An all-state selection. The Southern Tier Sports Report “Defensive Player of the Year,” hit .481, with a .597 on-base percentage, and 25 hits, including four doubles, four home runs, and one triple. She also had 13 RBI, 25 runs scored, and 18 steals, to along with a .991 fielding percentage, and 100 put outs

LAWSON BIGELOW, NOTRE DAME:  See above. (She was the Southern Tier Sports Report “Offensive Player of the Year,” and an all-state selection.)

SAIGE LEHMAN, NP-L: The Northern Tier West Sports Report All-Tioga County Softball “Defensive Player of the Year,” Lehman hit .341, with 28 hits, 27 runs scored, and 13 RBI.

RUBY SHERMAN, COWANESQUE VALLEY: Sherman hit .549, with 28 hits and was the NTL Small School champion Lady Indians’ ace.

MIKENNA BUCHANAN, WILLIAMSON: Buchanan hit .516 with three doubles and two triples. She was also the Warriors ace on the mound.

PAYTON CHAPEL, NP-L: Chapel hit .447, with a .544 on-base percentage. She had 21 hits and 13 RBI.

KERI WESNESKI, CANTON: Wesneski was the Northern Tier Sports Report “Player of the Year.” She hit .545, with 39 RBI, and was 12-8 in the circle, with 144 strikeouts and a 2.36 ERA in 122 innings.

BREA OVERPECK, TOWANDA: The Northern Tier Sports Report “Offensive Player of the Year,” Overpeck hit .515, with 10 home runs, seven doubles, 33 RBI and 23 runs scored. She hit two home runs against Loyalsock in a district game and two home runs against South Williamsport in the regular season.

JENELLE JOHNS, WYALUSING: She was the Northern Tier Sports Report “Co-Pitcher of the Year.” She struck out 150 in 139 2/3 innings, and hiit .351, with 26 RBI.

RAEGAN SUDNIKOVICH, SVEC: Her leadership and play helped spark a late-season surge that took the Panthers into the Section IV playoffs. She hit .714 with an .818 on-base percentage down the stretch as the team clinched a playoff spot.

The Tioga County Sports Report “Player of the Year,” she batted .377 (23-for-61) with 11 extra-base hits, 30 runs and eight RBI. She had a .519 on-base percentage, a .656 slugging percentage and a 1.175 OPS. Sudnikovich also stole 32 bases and was only thrown out twice. Behind the plate, she carried a .974 fielding percentage, recording 113 putouts and one assist while committing just three errors.

KATELYN KLYM, SVEC: The Tioga County Sports Report “Offensive Player of the Year,” Klym was the only player on the five Tioga County teams to hit over .500 (.525, 32-for-61). She had 14 extra-base hits, including three home runs. She scored 21 runs and drove in 25 more, and struck out just once. She had a .778 fielding percentage with 27 putouts, one assist and eight errors.

OLIVIA ROBINSON, WAVERLY: The Valley Sports Report “Player of the Year,” Robinson hit .490 on the season, with 24 hits in 49 at-bats. She also recorded 12 base on balls for a .597 on-base percentage, had a .694 slugging percentage, and a 1,291 OPS. She tallied seven doubles, one home run, 17 RBI, 15 runs scored, and nine stolen bases.

In the circle, Robinson was 8-5 with 74 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings.

RAEANNE FEEKO, TIOGA: The Valley Sports Report “Offensive Player of the Year,” Feeko was an on-base machine at the top of the Tioga line-up. She hit .500 (25 hits in 50 at-bats) with four doubles, two triples, 17 RBI, and 28 runs scored. She drew 12 walks for a .603 on-base percentage, and also had a .660 slugging percentage for and a 1.263 OPS.

SHANNON MALONEY, NOTRE DAME: An all-state selection, Maloney finished her year as an all-state pick in three sports — soccer, basketball and softball. She hit .494 with 22 stolen bases, without being thrown out this year. She was a gold-glove caliber outfielder for a sectional finalist team that won the IAC title.

SECOND TEAM
HALEY LITZELMAN, NP-L: See above.

MEGAN SPOHN, NP-L:  Spohn hit .346, with 27 hits, 19 runs scored, and 24 RBI

ASHLEY WOODRING, COWANESQUE VALLEY: .Woodring hit .434, with 23 hits.

KELSEA MOORE, NORTHEAST BRADFORD: Moore hit .478 with three home runs, 14 RBI, and 20 runs scored. In the circle, she struck out 102 in 80 2/3 innings.

LAUREN RIDALL, TROY:  Ridall hit .493 with three triples, nine doubles, and 39 runs scored.

ADDISON BLY, WYALUSING:  Bly hit .424, with 11 RBI, four doubles, and two home runs as a freshman.

CAITLYN KNAPP, TROY: See above.

SHAY GREENLAND, TOWANDA: Greenland struck out 129 in 88 2/3 innings with a 1.97 ERA. She was the Northern Tier Sports Report “Co-Pitcher of the Year.”

JILL HOLMES, SVEC: A standout performer at the hot corner, Holmes made 53 putouts with two assists and two errors for a .965 fielding percentage. She hit .483 with (29-for-60) with 27 runs, 23 RBI and 16 extra-base hits, four of which were home runs. She also had a .575 on-base percentage and .967 slugging percentage.

JORDAN GREENO, OWEGO: Playing both shortstop and second base during the season, Greeno had a .947 fielding percentage with 28 putouts, eight assists and two errors. She led the team in hits, batting .373 (19-for-51) with 15 runs and 11 RBI, and struck out just twice. She also recorded a team-high 11 stolen bases.

SARAH TERRY, OWEGO: She was one of the top defensive first basemen in Section IV, carrying a 1.000 fielding percentage. At the plate, she hit .341 (15-for-44) with six runs and 19 RBI, and struck out just four times.

ATHLYN VANFLEET, ATHENS: A defensive whiz, VanFleet also produced at the plate. She hit .370 (20 hits in 54 ABs), with three doubles, one triple, five home runs, 12 RBI, 21 runs scored, and six stolen bases. She had a .493 on-base percentage, and a 1.233 OPS.

ERIN LUTHER, TIOGA: Luther was a force in the middle of the line-up for the Lady Tigers. She hit .352 (19 hits in 54 ABs) with eight doubles, four home runs, 25 RBI, and 19 runs scored. She also had 12 base on balls for a .470 OBP, to go along with a .722 slugging percentage, and a 1.192 OPS.

Luther had a couple rough outings in the circle, but finished the year with a 6-8 record, with one save. She registered 76 strikeouts in 64 innings.

PAYTON ROSS, ELMIRA: Ross hit .419 average, two home runs, and two doubles, In the circle, she posted a 2.84 ERA, with 70 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings.

MEGAN WOLF, HORSEHEADS: Wolf hit .353, with a .419 average in STAC play. She 89 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings in the circle.

MOLLY WOLF, HORSEHEADS: She hit .370 with a .458 average in STAC play. .She also had a 482 on-base percentage on the season.


THIRD TEAM
KATIE ADAMS, COWANESQUE VALLEY: The Indians’ leadoff hitter had a .368 average with 21 base hits.

MCKENNA LIGHTNER, NP-L: .Lightner had a 388 on-base percentage, with 19 hits, including seven doubles, one triple, and five home runs.

KENNA THOMAS, WILLIAMSON: Thomas hit .422 with 19 hits, including seven doubles, and two home runs, and 10 runs scored.

KALI AYRES, TROY: Ayres hit .452, with nine doubles, 18 RBI, 24 runs scored, and had a solid glove at first base.

MOLLY WARD, CANTON: Ward hit .390, with 30 runs scored and 17 RBI from the lead-off spot.

NATALIE DONOVAN, OWEGO: Donovan hit .353 (18-for-51) with 14 runs scored and 12 RBI. She stole nine bases, ranking her second on the team, and had a .909 fielding percentage.

FAITH BRENCHLEY, SVEC: She carried an .894 fielding percentage with 59 putouts and seven errors. She batted .327 (18-for-55) with 25 runs, 18 RBI, five home runs and 19 walks.

SAVANNAH PERSUN, ATHENS: Persun appeared in 15 games in the pitcher’s circle, starting in 14 of those games. She had a 4-7 record (would have been 7-7, but three team wins were stripped for use of an ineligible player) with a 3.14 ERA, allowing 91 hits, while striking out 93 and walking 31 in 84 2/3 innings. Opponents hit .261.

MICHAELA LAUPER, WAVERLY: An excellent defender in center field, Lauper also did a sold job at shortstop for the Lady Wolverines. She hit . 354 (23 hits in 65 ABs), with three doubles, two triples, 11 RBI, 24 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases. In the circle, Lauper was 2-4 with 30 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings.

PAYTON SULLIVAN, CORNING: Payton hot .327 average, with a .444 on base-base percentage, seven doubles, two triples, two home runs, 18 RBI, and 17 runs scored. On the mound, she struck out 93 in 103 2/3 innings, with a 9-6 record, and a 2.43 ERA.

KAILEY RIPLEY, EDISON: An all-state selection, Ripley hit .436 with a .563 on-base percentage, a. .636 slugging percentage, (1.189 OPS), 26 RBI and 21 runs scored.

AVA MUSTICO, NOTRE DAME: Mustico hit. .431 with 19 stolen bases.

BRIANNA KORSKY, EDISON: Korskyt hit .424, and had a .472 on-base percentage, with 15 RBI, and 22 runs scored..

FOURTH TEAM
MELANIE SHUMWAY, NORTHEAST BRADFORD: Shumway hit .438, with 23 runs scored and 13 stolen bases.

TYRA WILLIAMS, TROY: Williams hit .381, with eight home runs, 24 runs scored, and 17 RBI.

OLIVIA CHAMPLUVIER, TROY: Champluvier hit .373, with five doubles, six home runs, 16 runs scored, and 22 RBI.

ZARAYA WILSON, COWANESQUE VALLEY: Wilson hit .341, with 15 hits.

TARYN ACLA, CANTON: Acla hit .356 with, 18 RBI and 15 stolen bases.

ADRIENA FARMER, SVEC:  Farmer hit .320 (16-for-50) with 21 runs scored, and five RBI.

MORGAN FRANCISCO, OWEGO: Francisco hit .343 (11-for-32) with nine runs, seven RBI, and six stolen bases.

LEAH AUSTIN WHITTAKER, NEWARK VALLEY: She hit .486 (18-for-37) with 13 RBI and three runs, a .487 on-base percentage, a .595 slugging percentage, and a 1.082 OPS.

LAURA LUDWIG, NEWARK VALLEY: Her glove was impressive as she posted a .915 fielding percentage with 43 putouts and four errors.

McKENZIE WILLIAMS, TIOGA: The Valley Sports Report “Defensive Player of the Year,” Williams busted on to the scene, hitting .421 (24 hits in 57 ABs), with 11 doubles, 28 RBI, and 16 runs scored. She also posted a 1.106 OPS.

ADDY REPSHER, ATHENS: Repsher made her return to Athens (after a year at North Rome Christian) and  hit .440 (22 hits in 50 ABs), with eight doubles, one triple, one home run, 10 RBI, 17 runs scored, and four stolen bases. She also registered a .525 on-base percentage, and a 1.225 OPS.

MADASYN HUFFNER, EDISON: Huffner hit .385, and had a .538 on-base percentage, with 18 runs scored, and 12 RBI.

MACKENZIE FUSARE, ELLMIRA: Fusare hit .304, with four doubles nine runs, and nine RBI.

ROOKIE TEAM
HALEY LITZELMAN, NP-L:  See above.

KENNA THOMAS, WILLIAMSON See Above.

ZARAYA WILSON, COWANESQUE VALLEY:  See above.

ADDISON BLY, WYALUSING: See above.

HANNAH BERGER, NORTHEAST BRADFORD: Berger hit .389, with 23 RBI, 14 runs, four doubles and two home runs.

KIARRA DELANCEY, NORTHEAST BRADFORD: Delancey hit .338, with 20 RBI, 24 runs and six doubles.

BROOKLYN EVANS, TOWANDA: Evans hit .358, with 8 doubles and 20 runs scored.

CARSTEN CRAWFORD, OWEGO: Crawford had big shoes to fill, but carried a 3.44 ERA while facing 385 batters and throwing 1,435 pitches in 81 1/3 innings in the circle. She posted a 6-8 record, struck out 101 batters, walked 50 and held opponents to a .259 batting average.

MILEY LAUBACH, OWEGO: A versatile fielder, she  led the team in hits and average, batting .396 (19-for-48) with a team-high 21 runs scored and nine RBI. She was also the team leader in extra-base hits (6) and walks (10).

MADDIE HILEY, ATHENS: Hiley hit .362 (21 hits in 58 ABs), with five doubles, three triples, 20 RBI, 13 runs scored, and six stolen bases. She had a .448 on-base percentage, and .999 OPS.

HANNAH CARPENTER, WAVERLY: Carpenter, a very good defensive catcher, hit .414 (24 hits in 58 at-bats), with seven doubles, one triple, 12 RBI, nine runs scored, and four stolen bases. She posted a 1.029 OPS.

EMILY BIDWELL, TIOGA: Bidwell made an instant impact in her first year on varsity. She hit .420 (21 hits in 50 ABs), with five doubles, one home run, 16 RBI, and 19 runs scored. She also had a .491 on-base percentage, and a 1.071 OPS.

OLIVIA THOMPSON, SAYRE: Thompson made an immediate impact on both sides of the ball for the Redskins. She hit .364 (20 hits in 55 ABs) with four doubles, two triples, eight RBI, 16 runs scored, and seven stolen bases.

ADDY CHORNEY, ELMIRA: Chorney hit .318, with three doubles, one triple, and nine runs scored.

CARISSA COWAN, EDISON: Cowan hit .371, with a .511 on base, 10 RBI, and 12 runs scored.

KAILEY MCCORMICK, HORSEHEADS: McCormick hit for a .333 average in STAC games.

DAPHNE SHERMAN, CORNING: Sherman hit for a .283 average, with a .365 on-base percentage, two home runs, two doubles, one triple, seven RBI, and nine runs scored.

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