Chambersburg softball coach Chris Skultety was in a position not many spring coaches were put in this year: he had so many girls come out that he had to make cuts.

Mackenzie Stake

Most spring teams have seen a reduction in numbers, primarily because of the pandemic.

But good numbers is not the only thing the Trojans have going for them.

Pitcher Mackenzie Stake is back for her senior year, having been the primary pitcher for two previous seasons.

“She looks really good and should be a strong pitcher,” Skultety said.

Chambersburg returns Erin Pattillo (sr.) at second base, Alyssa Brechbill (jr.) moves to centerfield and Hannah Runk (so.) slides in at shortstop.

Skultety said, “Our strength is up the middle. Runk, Pattillo and Brechbill are the strength of our defense and they all can hit. Runk is the best glove I’ve seen — she’s the real deal and a very good athlete.”

Junior Kenzie Boyd is expected to start in leftfield and junior Katelin Secrist will be the first baseman.

Alyssa Brechbill

For the other three positions, there is plenty of competition. Carly Benedict (so.) and Morgan Stockslager (so.) are battling in rightfield, third base will be either Mckenzie Kohler (sr.), Abagail Newman (fr.) or Saleen Null (fr.), and either Katie Robinson (jr.) or Samantha Paetow (fr.) will take the catching duties.

“We need somebody to step up defensively at third base; it might be by committee until then,” Skultety said. “We also don’t have that blazing speed we’ve had recently, not even on the bench. So we won’t be getting as many stolen bases.”

With a season off in 2020, Skultety said it makes it hard to “know anything thing about anybody else” on the schedule.

“But I do think we should be a contender. The most important thing is to get better every day and hope we’re playing our best at the end of the season.”

NOTES: Chambersburg opens its season Tuesday at Red Land … Sara Washabaugh, a returning starter at first base, is out indefinitely with an injury … The Trojans were 17-7 in 2019 and were ousted in the first round of the state tournament … Pitchers Stake (12-7 record) and Pattillo (5-0) also pitched in 2019 … Carlisle has been replaced by Altoona in the Commonwealth Division … Non-league games include Greencastle-Antrim, Waynesboro, Central York and 3 games at the Big Spring Tournament.