On March 10, the Norwin Softball team began their 2024-25 season, but without three of the major contributors from last years team, the Knights are facing a familiar struggle. Last season, the team fought to rebuild after losing a handful of their starters. This year, the Norwin Lady Knights lost three more starters, causing them to struggle with a foundation for the team.
Bailey Snowberger(Shortstop), Brookelyn Kotch (Pitcher/utility), and Josey Michalski (IF) were all major contributors to last years team. Without their efforts, as well as without the members of the 2022-23 team, the team has struggled in the beginning of the 2024-25 season.
Coach Brian Mesich speaks on the real challenge it has been for the team to replace key components.
“It’s always replacing the three key components to last years team,” said Mesich. “A division one shortstop and division three third basemen and utility.”
So far, the Norwin softball record has a record of 5-6-0. While the team is managing to pull off wins, Seniors Rachel Minteer and Izzy Deering are hoping to get the record more consistent by focusing on what they believe are the team’s biggest challenges.
“I would say the most challenging part of our season this year would be building our starting lineup,” said Deering. “We have had a lot of injuries and moving parts this season so trying to craft the best lineup has been a challenge.”
Deering also mentions the team’s need to improve on hitting and putting balls into play. Coach Mesich agrees that focusing on the basics is a need for this season.
Plum, Baldwin, and Seneca Valley are a few teams that have given the team trouble this season, but the Knights have had a few critical successes so far including a 4-2 win against Butler and a 5-1 win against Canon-McMillan after losing to them earlier in the season.
Mesich was also pleased with the Knights face off against Pine Richland. Having the first section home win against Pine Richland was Deering’s favorite memory of this season so far.
“In our game against Pine Richland we played our most complete game,” said Mesich. “We ended up beating them 7-0. We had few errors and we didn’t strike out. That has been our buga-boo, striking out.”
In addition, the team has put up good battles and taken unfortunate losses. The team battled against Seneca Valley and their star pitcher, but were defeated 3-2.
The Knights, who are looking forward to having some warmer weather in the later season, will rematch with some of their biggest opponents like North Allegheny. The team is hoping to produce a better performance against the team’s they lost to earlier in the season in addition to maintaining their skills that have allowed them to be successful thus far.
“We support each other no matter what,” said Rachel Minteer in response to being asked what the team’s best advantage is.
After taking home another win against Butler on April 16, the Knights are hoping to again pull through in their second fight against Pine Richland on April 23. Winning this upcoming game would give the team a three-game winning streak leading into the second part of the season. The Knights will need to win three of their next 5 upcoming games to secure a comfortable spot in playoffs.
