The Tyrone girls softball team went through a rebuilding year in 2006, after graduating five girls from the 2005 squad, who were the heart and soul of the Lady Eagle softball program for ther past four seasons.
With their most effective starting pitcher and one of their top hitters both ninth graders, the 2006 Lady Eagles got on-the-job training against a tough schedule that featured defending state champ Bald Eagle Area and 2006 District 6-AA Philipsburg-Osceola- both teams who played in the District 6-AA championship game, as well as playing games against District 6-A champion Southern Huntingdon, and versus District 6-AAA champion Hollidaysburg.
With a lot of question marks to begin the season due to younger players who were immediately thrown into the mix. Returning players worked with the inexperienced girls to form a competitive softball team.
“Although we finished with a losing record (6-12) the team played well defensively,” said Tyrone girls softball coach Lois Loncher. “We play in a very difficult league which has Philipsburg and Bald Eagle playing for the district title for the last two years. We were in every game, except for one, in which we were 10-runned.”
Tyrone returned five starters in senior Ashley Ripka at shortstop, junior Stefani Bryan third base and pitcher, Kim Cherry catcher, junior Ashley Pennabaker centerfield, and Megan Turiano third base and pitcher.
Junior outfielder Ashley Pennabaker led the Lady Eagles offensive attack with 22 hits and a solid .372 batting average. Junior catcher Kimberly Cherry was second in hits (18) and batting average (.367). Freshman Teanna Kobuck batted .303, Lindsey Christine hit .276 and Megan Turiano batted .241.
Stefani Bryan led the squad with 11 walks, Kobuck followed with 10, and Cherry drew nine bases on balls.
Cherry led the team in both doubles (4) and triples (2), Pennabaker had three doubles and a triple, Bryan had a triple and Christine had one double.
In a sport where a dominant pitcher can allow her infielders to simply set back and concentrate on offense, the Lady Eagles put the ball in play. Kim Cherry struck out the fewest times with just six, Turiano struck out seven and Christine fanned eight times.
On the mound, freshman Laura Thompson struck out 23 and walked 31 to lead the team in both categories. In limited action, Stefani Bryan struck out eight and walked 16.
In an inseason tournament at Southern Huntingdon, the Lady Eagles placed third and had Kim Cherry and Megan Turiano named on the tournament All-Tournament Team.
“We had a lot of question marks coming into this season,” explained coach Loncher. “But we have another year of experience and we should be solid next year.
“Ashley Ripka may be the only senior, but she has provided us with great leadership and defensive play at her shortstop position.”
Loncher’s assistants are MaryAnn Volders and Jim Domenick on the varsity and junior varsity level. Junior high coaches are Danielle Wilson and Jukie Harden.
