Kirsten Johnson

The Chambersburg softball team has set its goals high this spring.

“Our goal is to make it to states,” Trojan senior outfielder Alyssa Wenger said. “And we want to win the Big Spring tournament and districts, too.”

There are good reasons to think that way — Chambersburg returns eight starters from a team that went 15-8, won a Mid Penn Commonwealth Division crown and reached the District 3 quarterfinals.

Trojan coach Chris Skultety said, “We tell the girls that you should want to keep putting numbers on the banners (in the gym). Last year we got the Mid Penn title; this year I think we have a chance for more.”

Chambersburg brings back three outfielders — seniors Wenger (right) and Kara Neidigh (left), and junior centerfielder Taylor Myers.

Myers batted a robust .513, with 41 hits, including seven for extra bases. She scored 28 runs, had 18 runs batted in and swiped 12 bases. Neidigh batted .400 with 23 runs and 12 steals and Wenger hit .357 with 19 runs.

In the infield, senior Kirsten Johnson (.449, 25 R, 16 RBIs) returns to second base, sophomore Sara Washabaugh (.353) is back in first base and junior Haiden Brookens (.365, 12 R, 14 RBIs) and sophomore Brooklyn Miller (.309, 21 RBIs, 4 HR, 5 doubles) will likely both play at third base.

Johnson said, “I think everything has been going pretty smoothly, and we seem to have a good chemistry.”

Junior Haley Privett (.289, 3 HR) also returns at catcher.

The newcomer is freshman shortstop Alyssa Brechbill, who Skultety expects to a fixture at that position for four years.

“I think we should be better this year,” Myers said. “Our defense is playing well and our freshman shortstop will be pretty solid.”

Alyssa Wenger

Skultety said, “I like that we have a mixture of experience and youth. We’ve started a freshman every year since I’ve been here and I think they add a little bit of energy.”

That leaves the pitching, which will primarily be handled by sophomore Mackenzie “Mack” Stake, who was 8-4 last year with four saves and pitched all three playoff games. In 82 innings, she had a 3.76 ERA and 1.49 WHIP, with 75 strikeouts and 29 walks.

“We expect Mack to take over as our ace,” Skultety said. “In the past, we’ve rotated pitchers, but she’s showed us that we can rely on her.”

Miller (7-3, 3.71 ERA, 1.84 WHIP) and Neidigh may also be used at times.

On offense, the Trojans have an assortment of small ball players, excellent speed and power.

Kara Neidigh

Several other players will see action for Chambersburg, including infielders Raelyn Johnson (fr.), Rebecca Fischer (sr.) and Hannah Egolf (jr.) and outfielder Brynn Schoenberger (jr.).

Skultety said, “I think we’ve got a lot of good replacement parts. Most of the girls will contribute a lot all year, and we have a couple of kids on the JV team that we could bring up later, too.”

Neidigh said, “The rookies are the best ones we’ve had — they’re strong and have a lot of talent. And because we have so much experience, it should work well.”

“We were able to win the Mid Penn last year and played in districts,” Skultety said. “We gained some valuable experience and now I think we can go past that this year.”

NOTES: The Trojans open with a home game Monday at 4:15 against Carlisle … In addition to three games in the annual Big Spring tourney, non-league opponents include Greencastle-Antrim, Central York and Waynesboro — teams that all beat Chambersburg a year ago … The Trojans were 74-for-83 in steal attempts last year and also had 40 extra-base hits.