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By KIM NORTH
Times Leader Sports Writer
HANNIBAL — The River softball team is in a rebuilding mode for 2022.
“We lost nine players to graduation or various other reasons from last year, so this will be a rebuilding season for us,” veteran head coach Dave Wright said. “We are trying to locate all the pieces of the puzzle to fit the team.”
Those receiving diplomas included a handful of four-year vets in Elizabeth McConn (Inf.), Katie Lively (P), Katie Rufener (C), Lindsey Huffman (3B) and Sofie Myers (RF), along with three-year regular Aedyn Kraft (2B). Lively earned Division IV first team all-state status, while Rufener was first team all-Eastern District and Kraft second team all-Eastern District.
However, the cupboard isn’t bare for the Pilots.
There are nine returning letterwinners, including a quartet of seniors, a trio of juniors and two sophomores.
Leading the senior group are three-year vets Kylie Piatt (OF/P) and Josie Reed (OF/P), who was a Division IV first team all-Eastern District selection last year after hitting a robust .408. Piatt batted .297.
Other seniors are Raylee Schmidt (Inf) and Emily Smith (Inf). Smith, who lettered last year, connected at a .357 clip
Hannah Raper (Inf) and Rylee Knight (C) headline a group of seven juniors. Raper had a solid .514 batting average a spring ago that earned her honorable mention all-Eastern District and second team all-OVAC Class 2A laurels. Knight hit .389. Paige Barkes (Inf) is the third returning letterwinner in the group. She batted .385.
Rounding out the junior class are Katelynn Thomas (OF/P), Kyra Cisar (Inf), Lexi Felton (OF) and Kiley Wagnild (Inf).
Kelsey Harlan (Inf) and Emma Reed (P/OF) both lettered as freshmen, with Harlan earning honorable mention All-Eastern District and second team All-OVAC with a .235 batting average. Reed hit .375.
Courtney Pittman (OF/C) and Tessa Prim (OF) are the other sophomores.
Freshmen Reese Hobbs (OF) and Jamier Smith (OF) complete the roster.
Wright has complied a 268-169 record in 18 seasons. He is assisted by Tim Tisher (18 yrs.), Casey Tisher (18 yrs.), John Rufener (11 yrs.) and Mark Moore (3 yrs.)