NTL SOFTBALL: FIRST-YEAR ATHENS COACH BELIEVES 'SKY IS THE LIMIT' FOR YOUNG LADY WILDCATS IN 2023 (2023-03-23)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportATHENS — First-year Athens softball coach Brian Wendela believes if his team stays focused, “the sky is the limit” in 2023.
“We’re setting the bar high,” he said.
“This team really has a lot of potential,” said Wendela. “I think anything is possible.
“My biggest concern is this team being consistently focused,” he noted. “When they’re focused, I think the sky is the limit, and I think they’ll surprise some people with what they’re capable of doing.
“We just want to keep the girls buying in one game at a time. If they do that, the sky is really the limit for this team,” he added.
Wendela coached at Waverly for four seasons, leading the team to its first-ever Section IV title in 2019. After a year away from the game, Wendela wanted to get back in the game.
“I missed coaching the game of softball,” he said. “There was an opportunity at Athens … I had a couple people putting a bug in my ear about it, so I decided to apply for the job.”
He replaces Mickey Farrell, who retired from coaching after 40 years in different sports with all three Valley schools.
Wendela said the Lady Wildcats will be young, but talented in 2023.
Junior Ashlyn VanFleet will start at catcher this season, with senior Cailin McDaniel at first base, freshman Danica May at second base, sophomore Ella Coyle at shortstop, and freshman Maddie Hiley at third base.
Sophomore Gretchen Schmieg and senior Mackenzie Morgan will both see time in center field, with junior Addy Repsher in right field, and sophomore Jules Pack in left field.
Sophomore Emma Renninger, reshman Savannah Finan and Regan McDaniel could all see time in the outfield and / or the infield.
Junior Jillian Bradley, and seniors Kaylee Peterson and Kailey Bentley will vie for time in the outfield.
Senior Braelynn Wood is working her way back from injury, and could work her way into the lineup.
Sophomore Savannah Persun and Hiley will do the majority of the pitching, with Repsher also available to pitch.
Wendela believes his team’s biggest strength will be swinging the bats.
“I’m real excited about our bats,” he said. “I’ve always liked to play ‘small ball’ — bunting and stealing, but with this team, I have the luxury to give the green light. There are a lot of power hitters … not necessarily home runs, but I think the ball is going to get hit hard.
“That said, we also have some speed and can play ‘small ball’ when we need to.
“I’m definitely excited about our offense,” noted Wendela. “We saw our first live pitching (Wednesday), and I was very pleased with the first group and how they responded to the first live pitching they’ve seen this year.
“I think we’re going to be capable of putting up a lot of runs,” Wendela added.
The Lady Wildcats’ Achilles Heel in 2022 was its defense, but Wendela believes they will be improved this season.
“Coming in, I heard defense was a weakness for this team last season,” he said. “We’ve been working a lot of high reps, and I’ve already seen a huge change.
“We’ve been working defense a lot more than the offensive side, and I like where we’re at.
“We’re breaking down the fundamentals, the movement, the footwork, and I’ve been stressing to the girls that in any sport, defense wins championships,” noted Wendela.
“We’ve been working really hard on defense,” added Wendela. “I think in a short amount of time — a month of open gyms and a couple weeks of live practices, the girls have shown the hard work they’ve been putting in is already paying off.”
Wendela also likes the potential of his young pitchers.
“I like what I see,” he said. “We have two youngs pitchers — a sophomore (Savannah Persun) and a freshman (Maddie Hiley).
“What I really like about them is that they both eat, sleep, and breathe softball,” noted Wendela. “It’s 365 days a year for them.
“Neither of them are over-powering, but they both have a selection of pitches that can keep teams off balance,” he added.
Hiley will get an early chance to prove herself as Persun is headed to Ireland Monday on a school trip.
“Hiley will be seeing some innings very early in the season,” he said. “Addy Repsher will be available out of the bullpen, and could eat some innings for us, too.”
Wendela is prepared for the nightly grind in the NTL.
“I know the NTL is going to be tough,” he said. “I know the powerhouse teams, and teams to beat will come from the Small School (Division) … night-in, and night-out I think we’re going to have tough games everywhere.
“The team that takes care of the ball will win,” added Wendela.
Athens opens the 2023 campaign Friday at Cowanesque Valley.
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IN PHOTO: Athens coach Brian Wendela during his time at Waverly. … STOCK PHOTO.
