West Greene welcomes home softball team
West Greene Superintendent Thelma Szarell thanks the varsity softball team for their hard work in making it to the state championship game Thursday. Family, friends and fans welcomed the team home with a celebration in the high school gym.
West Greene softball players pose for a photo after returning from the PIAA Class A championship game in State College Thursday.
West Greene softball players make their way up the steps of the high school before entering the gymnasium Thursday.
West Greene varsity softball players are welcomed home from family and friends after they lost to Williams Valley in the state championship game Thursday.
Family and friends gather on the steps of West Greene high school Thursday to welcome home the Pioneers softball team.
West Greene’s varsity softball players pose for a team picture with 9-month-old Connor Redlinger, son of the team’s assistant coach Nicole Redlinger, of Washington.
ROGERSVILLE – Solemn faces walked off the West Greene softball bus Thursday afternoon, but were met with loving smiles, clapping, cheers and standing ovations.
“I feel bad because you can tell they’re disappointed about losing, but they did awesome,” said Denise Mooney, a West Greene parent from Morris Township. “We’re taking it next year. We’re going back.”
Family, friends, classmates and a proud community stood on the steps of the high school gym to welcome the team home from the PIAA Class A softball championship game, where the Pioneers lost 3-2 to Williams Valley earlier Thursday in State College. The team had won 23 games in a row.
“It was a great run,” said Stephanie Lampe, a West Greene parent from Center Township. “I’m so proud of all of them because I’ve watched them play together since they were young. This isn’t over.”
The crowd, dressed in blue and gold, moved into the high school gym for a brief ceremony, thanking the 19 girls for their hard work in making it so far.
“These girls have made West Greene history,” West Greene superintendent Thelma Szarell said. “We are so proud of you and that’s why there are tears now. We plan to do this again next year.”
The team expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received across the county over the past few weeks.
“It was nice to see the community come together for us,” said team member Emily Goodwin, who will be a senior.
Marissa Rode, who also will be a senior, said she was thankful for her family and friends who supported the team all year.
“Having them there all season was a big part of our success,” she said.
But for most of the team, coaches and fans, it doesn’t end here.
“We’ll never lose another game closer than that,” said head coach Bill Simms, who said he’ll be back to coach them next year.