FROM THE PRESS BOX: A GLIMPSE INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL AT THE 2023 SOFTBALL SEASON (2022-06-13)

Just two — Waverly and Tioga — of the four Valley softball teams qualified for the playoffs in 2022, and only Tioga managed a win — two actually — in the postseason.

The key to winning on softball really hinges on pitching, and Tioga was the only one of the four to find consistent pitching throughout the season.

The 2023 softball season is still more than 10 months away, but the crystal ball offers a look ahead to next season.

Athens Lady Wildcats: Coming off a 9-11 season, the Lady Wildcats will have to replace a major cog in their offense in Caydence Macik, as well as starters Aliyah Butler and Macie Coyle.

Athens will also be looking to replace coach Mickey Farrell, who coached the Lady Wildcats to its first-ever Large School title and a 38-20 record in three seasons.

The Lady Wildcats were 7-5 before sophomore catcher Ashlyn VanFleet suffered a season-ending injury. They went 2-6 the remainder of the season. She will return next season, along with junior Marissa Butler, and freshmen Jules Pack and Ella Coyle, who both had big seasons at the plate in 2022.

Freshman Savannah Persun showed flashes of brilliance in the pitcher’s circle this season, and could develop into a dominating presence there.

Prediction: The Achilles Heel for this Athens team was its defense as it averaged more than six errors per game. Even if Persun takes the next step as you’d expect, the defense will need to improve for the Lady Wildcats to improve. … The Lady Wildcats will also need a few of their role players from this season, or a couple players from the JV and / or junior high teams to step up and contribute. … 2023 record: 10-10.

Sayre Lady Redskins: When you see a team with an 0-18 record, there’s not anyway you can really spin it.

That said, the Lady Redskins had a few bright spots this season, and a few building blocks for the future in sophomores Meghan Flynn and Madison Smith, and freshmen Raegan Parrish and Abbie McGaughey.

Again, pitching is the key in softball, and Sayre has been searching for an ace. And, like Athens, it needs to improve defensively.

Prediction: Sayre has some good young building blocks returning, and some solid older players returning like Makenna Garrison, Aliyah Rawlings, and Olivia Corbin. They also have a few 8th-graders for a very good junior high team arriving on the scene next year. There is reason for optimism. … 2023 record: 4-16.

Tioga Lady Tigers: The Lady Tigers will graduate six senior starters from its 14-6 team, but will return a trio of uber-talented players in junior M.J. Thetga, freshman Emily Luther, and 8th-grader RaeAnne Feeko.

Tioga also brings back junior Felicia Lantz and fresh McKenzie Williams, who both showed big-time potential with their bats.

Offense shouldn’t be a problem next season, although the Lady Tigers will need a couple of role players from this years team, or a couple players from the JV and / or modified ranks to step up an contribute. The one thing I’m curious to see is if next year’s team can match this year’s team in terms of defense, which could prove to be a tall task.

Prediction: Tioga will contend for another division title in 2023, but in order to get back to the Class C semifinals, either Luther or Feeko will need to step into the role of No. 1 pitcher. … 2023 record: 14-6.

Waverly Lady Wolverines: The Lady Wolverines scored a lot of runs this season, but also gave up a bunch of runs, and the result was a 9-9 season.

Waverly will need to replace a pair of potent bats in Aubrey Ennis and Bella Romano, but have a pair of youngsters in freshman Brinn Cooney and 8th-grader Brilynn Belles that will fit nicely into a line-up that will feature junior Michaela Lauper, sophomores Olivia Robinson, Peyton Shaw, and Lea VanAllen. They will, however, need to find another bat or two to lengthen the line-up.

Once again, the Lady Wolverines will need either Lauper or Robinson — or both — to step up in the pitcher’s circle and improve on their 5-plus ERAs from this season.

Prediction:  It’s all about pitching, if Waverly gets improved pitching, it will contend for a division title. … 2023 Record: 9-9.