South Williamsport’s three-peat District IV championship titles and deep runs into the PIAA state softball playoffs, including last year’s appearance in the AA state championship game, have continually raised the expectations of Lady Mounties fans. But the groundwork for the hardware that has been accumulated was laid long before today’s high school stars ever donned the Mounties blue and white.
The team, including its seven senior veterans, began playing the game at young ages, and as they enter their final year of scholastic competition, doors have opened to continue playing the game they love at the collegiate level. Last week, three of the team’s members did what they’ve spent years doing together – this time, all signing a college commitment on the same day before approving fans gathered in the school cafeteria.
One-by-one they took center stage for the announcement: pitcher Alizabeth Schuler to Bloomsburg University to study nursing; catcher Lily Reidy to Seton Hill to study clinical exercise science; and shortstop Gianna Goodman to Lock Haven University to study health sciences.
Following the formal signing ceremonies, each player took the time to share their thoughts with Webb Weekly.
Alizabeth Schuler
“Leading up to my decision, there were a lot of telephone calls and talking with coaches, all aimed at trying to find the best fit. Over the years, I’ve visited the Bloomsburg campus many times, playing in tournaments, and always felt comfortable. As I narrowed my choices, the people I talked to at Bloom made me feel right at home.
“College will be a new experience. Just the thought of moving in, not having my family with me, and having to be on my own makes me a bit nervous, but I know I made the right choice.
“I think I really fell in love with softball when I was eight and started playing travel ball. Looking back, I am now 17, and for the past 10 years, so many weekends of my life have been spent playing the game. By the time I entered seventh grade, playing softball at the college level became a goal I wanted to achieve.
“Softball has provided so many great memories, both on and off the field. The many long bus rides with teammates and coaches after wins and the three district championships we have won all produced moments that made me so happy.
“I’ve been in and out of softball mode pretty much year-round. I just finished my last tournament a week ago, and now I have a little brain break until we start up again for the high school season. While I’ll still be concentrating on what I need to do for the season it is not going to overtake my life.
“But I still have a lot of unfinished business. It starts with our first game of the season and ends with a state championship!”
Lily Reidy
“When I went to the Seton Hill campus, it was beautiful. When I met the coach, I just loved her. She was super welcoming, fun to talk to and has built a great program. It just seemed like the right fit for me.
“I think my biggest adjustment will be maintaining all the work with my major and all the practices, get into the flow and maintain good grades.
“Ever since I started playing softball at about five, I knew that is what I wanted to do in college. That was my goal, and being able to accomplish that really feels good. Softball is something that brings me joy. If I am feeling down, just picking up a bat and getting on the field makes me feel good again.
“I have really enjoyed this group of girls, but as young kids, we didn’t know what we were getting into. But this whole journey, including going to the Little League Softball World Series and then to the Pennsylvania state championship and then signing to play college softball with two of my teammates on the same day, is the kind of family and sisterhood we have built here.
“Before we went to the World Series, we were in the dugout, and Coach Goodman told us we had a chance, and we all thought he was crazy. But then we kept winning, and after that, I just knew we were going to go places. I’m going to carry all these memories with me.”
Gianna Goodman
“As soon as I went to Lock Haven on the first visit, I felt at home with the players and coaches. They were extremely nice, and it just felt right.
“College will be a big adjustment for me. Living on campus, not being with my family every day, not being around my high school friends, and softball-wise will be a lot more work, but I think I will be all right.
“Since I was eight years old, I’ve always thought about playing college softball, so it has been a priority in my life. The game means a lot to me and is very important. The greatest memory I’ve had is winning big games with my best friends by my side. There is nothing better than experiencing these moments with your best friends. I’m proud of what we have been able to accomplish together.
“Personally, being selected as an All-State player at two positions (second base & shortstop) is a tremendous honor. It shows all my hard work has paid off and is something that makes me proud.”
Every great novel has an informative beginning, leading to a suspenseful final chapter. While that final chapter for this Mountaineer softball team has yet to be written, it’s been a long-running best seller for its’ appreciative fan base.
