SCHUYLERVILLE — The Schuylerville varsity softball team enters 2023 with a strong group of returning players, and strong team chemistry as they look to compete in the Foothills Council.
The Black Horses return seven starters from last year’s team and enter this season without any seniors on the roster. Head coach Katie Bottisti said she is “excited for this year, and this group.”
Despite graduating six seniors from 2022, junior Sophia Wahl said the team’s chemistry has been “really good already.”
“We all just have a lot of fun together,” said Wahl. “I love them all, and I feel like they all feel the same. It’s kind of like family that way.”
Bottisti said Wahl and sophomore Kenna Hart will be the Black Horses’ main pitchers this season and will be backstopped by the catching duo of sophomore Taylor Dennis and junior Cat Carpenter. Bottisti said the team is full of “athletes who are going to make plays,” and emphasized the team’s chemistry.
“They want to be here, they’re really good friends,” said Bottisti. “Just the team chemistry is going to be great. Our bats are hitting the ball like crazy already, so I’m excited to see them pull it all together.”
Junior Gracelyn Kilburn also said the team is “like a family,” saying she is excited for the season to begin.
“There’s a lot of us who have played together throughout modified up to now,” Kilburn said. “We have a really great group of girls here, so I hope we go far in sectionals.”
Bottisti said the Foothills Council is “anybody’s this year,” saying the Black Horses have the ability to “go far” in the postseason.
“We play a lot of really good teams, so the competition’s always going to be difficult,” said Wahl. “If we can keep working together the way we have been, and play our best each day, I really think we can do well.”
“I think that we’re going to give everybody a good run on any given day,” said Bottisti. “I keep it simple for them, I say, ‘Have fun. Pitchers throw strikes. Fielders make plays. Hitters make good contact, and good things will happen.’”
