Penn Charter's softball captains for 2018 are seniors Ava Nicolucci and Grace Stansfield. (Photo by Tom Utescher)

by Tom Utescher

The theme for Penn Charter's 2017 softball season might well have been "All's well that ends well."

The Inter-Ac League championship eluded the Quakers, but they bounced back in postseason play to capture the Pa. Independent Schools title for the third year in a row.

A few weeks later, graduation took a toll on the team; among the four departing players were PC's number one pitcher and a four-year mainstay in the infield. However, that loss has been partially offset by the arrival of four freshmen who are ready to perform at the varsity level.

The senior co-captains for the 2018 Quakers are their most experienced pitcher, Ava Nicolucci, and their catcher, Grace Stansfield, who has already signed with Rider University.

Before last week's snow arrived Charter was able to squeeze in a scrimmage, and along with the senior battery fellow 12th-graders Chloe Master, Ciara McGee and Celena Militello started at second base, right field and left field, respectively.

The Quakers had an 11th-grade Abby at each corner of the infield, Abby Mannion at first base and Abby Quinn at third. Sophomore Maddie Solow was stationed in centerfield, and her classmate, Anastasia Lewis, is a pitcher who can bring the heat and who saw considerable varsity action last spring as a freshman.

One of this year's ninth-graders, Neilee Koslosky, has earned the starting job at shortstop. The founding head coach of the PC program, Donald "Doc" Mittica, sees active roles for the other three freshmen, as well.

If you go to PC's Max Gross Field and yell "Abby!", four players are going to turn their heads. In addition to the two juniors, there are rookies Abby Brown and Abby Samuel. Brown promises to be a productive hitter while the speedy Samuel will see duty as a courtesy runner, and both could see field action in the outfield or possibly at first base.

The fourth freshman, Averie Schnupp, will add depth to the varsity pitching staff and will throw for the JV team. Solow, the sophomore outfielder, is also being groomed as an addition to the varsity pitching pool.

The Penn Charter players and coaches are hoping that last week's snowstorm is the final one we'll see before true spring weather arrives. The Quakers take a spring break trip down South every other year, and this is not their year to travel.