Sophomore Rachel Johnson returns to play second base after leading the Quakers in batting last season. Photo / James Goller

The Orchard Park softball team looks to improve on a successful 2012 campaign (10-8, 6-4 ECIC I) with a roster comprised mostly of underclassmen.

The Quakers feature a 13-player roster with three seniors, three juniors, five sophomores, one freshman, and an eight-grader.

Despite its youth, the Quakers feature several young players with varsity experience in tow.

Sophomore Rachel Johnson returns to second base after leading the Quakers with a .529 batting average. Sophomore Katie Weimer (.455 batting average) returns and sophomore Shaye Swiatek will play shortstop for another season after hitting .350 with a .452 on-base percentage.

Two key players for Orchard Park will be the team’s pitchers, senior Carly Loffredo and sophomore Kaylee Jentsch. Both players pitch with confidence and give the Quakers a chance to win any given game.

“We have two strong pitchers,” said coach Josh Dannecker, who co-coaches with Brittany Bonetto. “We’ll rotate them pretty evenly.”

Loffredo and Jentsch pitched every inning last season with impressive results. Jentsch tossed 81 2/3 innings and earned a 7-4 record with a 1.71 earned run average, while Loffredo earned a 2-4 record with a 2.03 earned run average and 23 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings. Jentsch was also effective at the plate with a .419 batting average her freshman season.

The talented group of sophomores has proven its talent, but the players must now develop into effective leaders.

“They’re young, quiet young,” said Dannecker. “We need the leadership from the sophomores in that they are playing key positions. They have to learn how to be vocal leaders.

“For us, it’s a challenge. We want to get them up and going. Shaye is moving into the role and have more confidence in the vocal area. She certainly has confidence at the plate. She has confidence in her abilities. Confidence as a leader, you’re seeing more of it.”

Dannecker is impressed with Weimer, who will be the team’s top option at catcher, a position that requires intense communication. “Katie is being vocal and positive,” said Dannecker.

Orchard Park Softball Roster – 2013

Alex Sheehy, an 8th grader, picked her first career hit Wednesday. Photo / James Goller

Two full weeks after losing its season opener on the road at Niagara Falls, the Orchard Park softball team finally hosted its home opener versus Williamsville North and took a 1-0 loss to the Spartans.

Scoreless through six innings, Williamsville North notched a single run in the seventh to make the difference.

Orchard Park threatened in the bottom of sixth inning when Rachel Johnson reached base on an error. Katie Weimer followed with a sacrifice bunt to move Johnson to second. Johnson advanced to third base after a fly ball, but was left stranded.

Katelyn Battaglia of Williamsville North led off the final inning with a triple to the right-center field gap. Sarah McMahon, who picked up the win on the mound, followed with a single to earn the game-winning RBI.

Sophomore Kaylee Jentsch was strong on the mound pitching a complete game allowing five hits.

Orchard Park is scheduled to host Frontier on Thursday, April 18 at 4 p.m.

Photos from OP-Will North softball

Kaylee Jentsch (File Photo)

The Orchard Park softball team traveled to Niagara Falls to open up the regular season schedule, and came out with a 9-3 loss to the host Wolverines.

The Quakers scored two runs to start the game. Niagara Falls matched OP with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. Orchard Park scored once more in the second, but Niagara Falls broke the game open with six runs in the second inning, several of which were unearned.

Kaylee Jentsch came in relief on the mound in the fourth and was impressive in holding the Wolverines to just one run (unearned), but the Quakers were held scoreless after the second.

Orchard Park is scheduled to play at West Seneca West Wednesday, and will host Frontier, Friday, April 12 at 4:30 p.m.

The New Era Diamond Girls – Muni won its second Aunt Rosie’s American Softball Association Invitational Showcase Championship in the last four years in Amherst this past weekend.

The team earned a perfect record (6-0) while outscoring its opponents, 31-11, on its way to winning the championship. This year’s tournament featured teams from Maine, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Taylor Jezuit of Orchard Park is pictured in the bottom right of the team photo.

The 2012 Aunt Rosie’s 18U Invitational Championship Team: New Era Diamond Girls – Muni Front row kneeling: Jacquie Porreca (Lancaster), Meghan Cuda, Caitlin Attfield, Taylor Jezuit (Orchard Park); Second Row: Caitlin Myszka (Lancaster), Allyson Gay (Clarence), Bethany Demarco, Jenna Allers (Amherst); Last Row: Sara Tauriello, Kelly Leonard (Lancaster), Lauren Muni (Clarence) Jazzy Harrell (Cheektowaga) and Meagan Lewis (West Seneca) Not Pictured: Courtney Lipka.

The WNY Sting 14U Gold team won the Softball in the Hive 14U Softball tournament last weekend – the team’s second tournament championship this season.

Kaylee Jentsch from Orchard Park pitched two wins, including the championship game and had four hits. Kate Weimer from Orchard Park, the team’s catcher for most of the six-game tournament, had six hits with a home run.

Front row: Emily Pacer, Hannah Pollino, Nicole Woodward, Jill Ahrens, Amanda Metz. Second row: George Weimer, Tori Laratonda, Tyler Thompson, Tia Thompson, Lexi Simmons, Shannon Stockman, Kaylee Jentsch, Mark Jentsch, Kate Weimer, Gary Metz.