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Health & Fitness

Overlooked Lady Hatters Look To Continue Softball Success

By David Coulson

What does it mean to be under-appreciated? 

Despite the fact that Hatboro-Horsham High School has tied for, or won outright the championship of the toughest conference in Pennsylvania 4-A softball nearly every year in the past decade, has made three title game appearances in eight seasons and has captured two of the past six state crowns, the Lady Hatters don't seem to get much respect in their own backyard.

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When HHHS took the field for its opening scrimmage of the new season on Thursday afternoon at Neshaminy High School, fourth-year coach Joe DiFilippo attempted to motivate his team with the fact that the Lady Hatters were not even ranked in the top-five of area softball squads in one prominent newspaper poll.

It is a lecture DiFilippo is forced to give nearly every year.

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Throw out the list of returning starters, or star pitchers that various programs possess. You can pretty much count on one of four teams from District One playing for the state 4-A title when the weather heats up at Penn State in June.

Hatboro-Horsham and Central Bucks South from the Continental Conference have reached the championship game four times together since 2008 and three times in four years, while Neshaminy and Pennsbury — arch-rivals from the National Conference — have made it to Pennsylvania's marquee softball contest twice in the previous three seasons.

Throwing out all other predictions, it would be a pretty good bet to think one, or more (as happened when Hatboro-Horsham beat Pennsbury for the 2011 crown) of those teams would be at Penn State again in 2014 when the season ends.

Like the other three teams, Hatboro-Horsham doesn't rebuild when it loses players to the NCAA Division I and II ranks each year, it just reloads.

The grass roots of the high school's success has been the local Hatboro and Horsham youth programs that get area girls early starts in the sport and local travel teams like the Banshees and TNT that further develop their skills and a group of dedicated coaches that teach the girls solid fundamental softball.

There is an annual passing of the baton from pitchers like Maggie Schaffer and Nicole Casagrand to younger hurlers like current junior Lexie Campbell and freshman Brynn Griffith and plenty of offensive and defensive talent from year to year.

On Thursday, Hatboro-Horsham may have dropped a 5-3 decision to state runner-up Neshaminy in a loosely-structured, eight-inning scrimmage as these two powerhouses shook off weeks of indoor workouts and poor field conditions to finally play something that actually resembled softball.

But it was a day still filled with positives for HHHS.

All 14 players on the current Lady Hatter varsity roster got considerable action as DiFilippo, pitching coach Jamie Schaffer and hitting coach Kathy Lutz shuffled personnel around.

Campbell, sophomore Kaeli Simmons and Griffith split time in the circle, while HHHS hitters tried to shake off the rust after mostly hitting off ball machines in recent weeks.

Highlights at the plate included junior center fielder Jen Cader hitting a booming shot into a strong headwind that hit the top of the right-field fence for a triple, missing a home run by inches, and freshman catcher Kylie Flagler crushing a long double.

Hatboro-Horsham hit in poor luck, with a number of line drives finding the mitts of Neshaminy defenders.

On defense, the Lady Hatters struggled at times, something to be anticipated with the lack of on-field work thus far, but newcomer Megan Hallock showed her athletic ability with a spectacular, diving catch of a pop-up near the fence in foul ground as she ranged over from her shortstop position.

Hatboro-Horsham, which had a scrimmage with Gwynedd Mercy Academy cancelled due to poor field conditions on Tuesday, is scheduled to open its season with a non-conference game Monday at home at 3:45 p.m. against Lansdale Catholic, if weather permits.

Here is a player-by-player look at the 2014 Lady Hatter varsity, going in alphabetical order by class:

Charlotte Coulson, senior, OF-DP

Coulson is the only non-travel-team player on the varsity, but spent three years in junior varsity program, two of them as the starting right fielder, before getting called up to varsity for last year's playoffs. One of three captains on this year's team, she is a left-handed hitter and right-handed thrower, who has a natural ability to hit the ball to the opposite field. Battling for playing time in left field, her knowledge of the strike zone made her one of the top players in on-base percentage on the JV squad.

Daria Edwards, senior, 3B-SS

The versatile Edwards is in her fourth year as a varsity player and is the last member of the 2011 state championship squad. She has played outfield, catcher, second base, third base and shortstop during her prep career and this co-captain will likely end up at third base when she moves to Towson University next year. The right-hander is one of the top hitters in the state and is particularly dangerous in clutch situations. She was the unanimous pick as the all-conference shortstop last season.

Megan Hallock, senior, SS

Hallock dropped into the Lady Hatters' lap when her family moved to the district from South Carolina this fall. Hallock is a speedy, switch-hitter, who can slap, or hit for power, skills that led her to sign a scholarship offer with South Carolina for next year. Her best position is center field, but this co-captain will probably concentrate in the infield with HHHS to give the Lady Hatters a more solid defensive look.

Jaynie Black, junior, 2B-OF

This smooth player with the frequent smile and calm demeanor is in her third season on the varsity. She saw action last year mostly as a fourth outfielder and designated player, but is likely to win the starting job at second base, with her range and steady defensive play. The right-hander hitter could prove to be one of the most improved players on the varsity team, a year after earning all-conference honorable mention status.

Jen Cader, junior, CF

This athletic speedster established herself as one of the top outfielders in the state as only a sophomore and is ready to have an even better season in her third year on the varsity. Though a fixture in center field, Cader has the ability to be an excellent first baseman and catcher as a left-handed thrower with quick, sure hands. As a left-handed hitter, this third-team, all-conference performer has some of the best bat speed of any prep player around. She is also noted for her ability to keep her teammates loose with her sense of humor.

Lexie Campbell, junior, P-IF

Campbell is battling Griffith for the starting job at pitcher, but is also talented enough athletically to play anywhere in the infield. She split time between varsity and junior varsity last season to keep sharp in the circle, after being one of the top two JV pitchers as a freshman. She also has good bat speed as a right-handed hitter and had a walk-off home run to complete an exciting, six-run, seventh-inning victory as a freshman in a JV win over Central Bucks West before a late-season varsity call-up.

Jackie Locke, junior, 1B

This tall, athletic player has a sweet, right-handed swing and seldom misses the ball when she offers at it. After establishing herself as one of the top JV hitters for a season and a half, she was called up to the varsity at mid-season as a sophomore and had two hits in her first game. She also has the ability to become a great first baseman defensively, with her size, range and speed. Locke also saw limited action on the varsity as a freshman.

Andrea Baldus, sophomore, 2B

Baldus surprised many by making the varsity roster as a freshman and backed up Adrienne Giuliani at second base last season. Baldus has a strong right-handed bat and is also solid defensively. As a club player, she also established herself as a fine pitcher and can play pretty much anywhere in the infield.

DeAnna Moyer, sophomore, RF

Moyer made an immediate impact as a freshman, earning a starting job in right field and showing off exceptional range and a powerful throwing arm. One of her signature plays last season was throwing out a batter at first on what looked to be a clean single to right field in the district playoffs against Central Bucks East. This speedster is a switch-hitter with the ability to bunt, or slap from the lead-off position. She was honorable mention as an outfielder on the all-conference team.

Jamie Mroz, sophomore, LF

Mroz started in left and center field for the junior varsity squad last season before earning a call-up to varsity for the playoffs. She is a right-handed hitter with good bat speed and also has good running speed and a strong throwing arm.

Bridgette Schaffer, sophomore, C

Schaffer surprised most last season by earning the starting job at catcher as a freshman. She excelled at blocking pitches and earned respect as the season went on for her strong, accurate throwing arm. Still working on her batting skills, Schaffer handled the HHHS pitching staff well enough to earn third-team recognition on the all-conference team.

Kaeli Simmons, sophomore, P-1B-C

Simmons was named as the top female athlete at Keith Valley Middle School in 2012 before splitting time at three positions for the HHHS junior varsity squad as a freshman. Her fine play earned her a call-up to the varsity for the playoffs. A good fielder wherever she is placed defensively, Simmons also has good bat speed as a right-handed hitter and is developing as a pitcher to give the Lady Hatters additional depth.

Kylie Flagler, freshman, C-DP

A promising youngster, Flagler has excellent defensive skills behind the plate and can also play other positions in the field, if called upon. She showed a strong right-handed bat when she played for the Banshees travel squad.

Brynn Griffith, freshman, P

Griffith could be the next gem in the long line of great Hatboro-Horsham pitchers. Her cool and collected demeanor in the circle reminds people of Maggie Schaffer. Griffith has a wide variety of pitches and excellent control for a youngster and was a batterymate of Flagler's on the Banshees.

Varsity Outlook

Expect the Lady Hatters to again be the team to beat for the Continental Conference crown. With a deep lineup of potentially strong hitters, HHHS should score lots of runs. If one of the talented, but inexperienced pitchers takes charge, look for this team to be in contention for district and state titles.

Junior Varsity Outlook

There is also some good talent waiting in the wings on the junior varsity squad.

The Lady Hatter JVs had a rough outing in Thursday's scrimmage, losing 20-5 and giving up 18 unearned runs, but it is a squad dominated by freshmen that should improve as the season goes on.

Among the returning players to keep an eye on are junior third baseman Bria Cashman, sophomore shortstop Meghan Fitzgerald, sophomore outfielder Emmy Rivkin and junior outfielders Miranda Nish and Jessica Eble.

Tall and hard-throwing pitcher Taylor Sciubba is one of the young freshmen stars. Also watch for freshman first baseman Cameron Fisher to make a quick impact.

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