Despite taking a hit with the loss of key players to graduation last year, including pitcher Christie Jensen and Danielle Parisi at second base, last year’s Valley Division champions are returning six strong returning players in seniors Briana Taft and Courtney Carnevale and juniors Lexi Forsell, Alex Niciforo, Alex Spiegel, and Sara DeSimine.##M:[more]##
Taft, catcher, and Carnevale, at first base, are the Knights’ captains this year, with Taft batting third in the lineup. North Coach Jason Petrone says the team’s scrimmages have gone well, and that “the pitching looks good early on, and the fielding will be there.”
Rounding out the roster are sophomores Sydney Turchin, at shortstop, and Kaitlyn Nelson, who will handle some pitching, and Petrone says three promising freshmen — Kaitlin Perrine, who pitches and plays outfield, Emily Weinberg, at second base and outfield, and Taylor Phelan, at third base, are joining the Knights this year.
The team’s two other seniors — Heather Nelson and Brynne Jackson-Roberts will be positioned in the outfield.
Petrone says that the team will have to replace the hitters the team lost last year, when it finished with a record of 15-8, and that it needs to improve its hitting. Goals this year include “trying to defend our Valley division championship and make some noise in the state playoffs.”
The team opened up against Allentown on April 1, defeating the team, 8-7, in eight innings.
