H.S. diamond action is finally set to resume

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 2 May 2021 at 2:41 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – This veteran quartet of from left, Lorelei Dillenbeck, Ella Lewis, Chloe Stinson and Gracie Johnson will lead Lyndonville into the up coming Genesee Region League softball season.

Last spring the Covid-19 Pandemic hit just a week into practice resulting in the cancellation of the season so it has been two years since area high school baseball and softball teams have taken to the diamond for games. Weather permitting that long drought will end this coming week as the Genesee Region League season gets underway.

Lyndonville will host Holley at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Kendall will visit Oakfield-Alabama at 4:30 p.m. Monday to get the G-R softball season underway.

Lyndonville returns four regulars from the 2019 squad including senior catcher Chloe Stinson, junior infielder/outfielder Ella Lewis, junior first baseman Gracie Johnson and sophomore pitcher/shortstop Lorelei Dillenbeck.

The Lady Tigers very youthful squad also looks to have sophomores Haley Shaffer (infield/pitcher) and Brianna Krisher (third base) along with eighth grader Addison Dillenbeck (outfield) and seventh grader Brooke Robinson (outfield) in the starting lineup.

“We have a real young team,” said Coach Joe Moore. “Our bats look to be our best asset and our infield looks pretty solid.”

Holley likewise returns a quartet of regulars from the 2019 team including seniors Halee Passarell (catcher), Rachel Howard (infield) and Julia Buck (outfield) and Tia Hoffarth (pitcher).

The Lady Hawks have two other players who saw some action that season, senior Hayley Skidmore (catcher) and junior AJ Botello (infield).

“It’s exciting to get back on the diamond,” said Coach Amy Ostrom. “We’ve got a small squad so we want to play as a team.”

Kendall also returns a good nucleus from the 2019 season including junior pitcher Sara Mattle, sophomore shortstop Madison Shonitsky, senior catcher/outfielder Ciera Kupferschaid and junior outfielder/catcher Julie Coble. Senior third baseman Carley Robb along with junior infielders Grace Levett and Grace Robinson also saw some varsity action that season. Sophomore Lauren Pilon looks to play first base.

“We have the pitcher-catcher battery back and that is a big thing,” said Coach Jeff Parizek. “We will be a little young in the outfield but I’m optimistic. It’s exciting for the kids to get a season in.”