U10 team starts quest for state title, Tuesday
By Lauren Parker-Gill, Staff Writer, The Times
Caln’s U10 girls softball team won the District 28 Little League title and now will compete for the Pennsylvania title this week.
CALN – Excitement was in the air and under the lights at last Wednesday’s softball practice for the Caln Little League Softball 10 U All Star team, their coaches and parents as they prepared to compete in the 2015 Pennsylvania State Minor League Softball Tournament for the first time in six years.
The games begin Tuesday in Bradford, Pennsylvania and the District 28 Champions have dedicated their evenings and weekends, practicing up to 14 hours per week, to prepare for this once in a lifetime opportunity.
“These girls put their hearts and souls into these games.” said Danielle Polinsky, as she watched her daughter Olivia practice with the team.
The team of 9 and 10 year olds was formed by combining two 10 U teams from the spring season. The coaches from both teams made recommendations to the Vice Presidents of the league. With the help of the VPs, the All Stars coaches then selected 6 players from one team and 8 from the other team to form the All Stars team of 14 players. The decisions were based on age and level of skill.
The team, their coaches and families will be in Bradford for up to one week, depending on the outcome of the games. To help offset travel and hotel expenses, several fundraisers were held over the past week, including two car washes, dining nights at PJ Whelihan’s, Texas Roadhouse and Jake’s Wayback Burgers. They have successfully raised over $2,000.
“Out of thousands of girls who play Little League softball in Pennsylvania, only 112 have made it to the state championships.” said parent Colleen Heimberger. “I don’t think they even realize the magnitude of that yet.” added Heather Panik.
When asked what the state championship means to her, player Megan Gochenauer said, “It means a lot to me because my parents played baseball and softball but never made it to states. Now we all get to experience it together.”
The Caln All-Stars pose for a team shot with their medals for winning the District 28 Minor League softball title.
“It’s a pleasure being a part of the coaching staff for these girls. They’ll remember this experience forever. The best thing I’ve heard them say is, ‘Even if we don’t win states, at least we got there and we won districts.’ That alone makes this whole journey worth it and reminds me why I coach and why I volunteer. It’s all about them.” Said team manager, Nita Dolph.
The team roster: Emily Ammon 1, Sacha Buxton 10, Daria Carney 11, Emma Friel 00, Megan Gochenauer 76, Makenzie Grabill 8, Jillian Heimberger 9, Caitlyn Hinton 24, Olivia McClain 5, Kathleen McGeoy 3, Melanie Panik 7, Jocelyn Slonaker 99, *Olivia Springer 55, Lauren Tushar 20, *Sophia Reynolds 22 Manager: Nita Dolph Coaches: Bob Carney, Steve Friel, Paul McCain
*Olivia Springer will be replacing Sophia Reynolds who played in the district championship game but is unable to participate in the state championship.
The games will be live streamed on the website, http://www.theriver989.com/, with Caln 10 U team’s first game taking place Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
The team roster: Emily Ammon 1, Sacha Buxton 10, Daria Carney 11, Emma Friel 00, Megan Gochenauer 76, Makenzie Grabill 8, Jillian Heimberger 9, Caitlyn Hinton 24, Olivia McClain 5, Kathleen McGeoy 3, Melanie Panik 7, Jocelyn Slonaker 99, *Olivia Springer 55, Lauren Tushar 20, *Sophia Reynolds 22 Manager: Nita Dolph Coaches: Bob Carney, Steve Friel, Paul McCain