Underclassmen playing key roles for Thomas Jefferson softball

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, May 4, 2018 | 11:00 PM

Thomas Jefferson is a young softball team, with four sophomores and two freshmen normally in the starting lineup.

One of the sophomores who has made great progress this season is outfielder Alana Cleary, who secured a starting position in right field for the Jaguars.

“Alana's bat was very strong in the offseason, and initially I thought she would help us out in certain situations,” TJ coach Heidi Karcher said. “But she has blossomed into a fierce athlete who would run through a wall for her coaches and teammates. She just wants to play and was determined to earn that starting spot.”

Cleary is joined in the TJ outfield by freshman Claire Whalen in center and sophomore Mackenzie Zang, in left.

Other starters for the Jaguars include sophomore pitcher Bella Bucy, sophomore shortstop Abby Chalovich and freshman second baseman Paige Truax.

Rounding out the lineup usually are juniors Haleigh Karcher (C), Liz Brock (1B) and Sarah Thornton (DH), and senior Liz Brock (1B).

Haleigh Karcher, a third-year starter, enjoyed one of her finest offensive performances of the year April 30 against Laurel Highlands.

A West Chester recruit, Karcher punched out four consecutive singles to lead the Jaguars (7-5, 6-4 Section 2-5A) to an impressive 11-4 section win at home. She also collected two RBIs and scored three times.

“Haleigh's a great verbal leader on the field and gets the job done at the plate,” said Heidi Karcher, Haleigh's mom. “I like to see her have more long-distance balls, but she is doing a great job in the three-hole.

“She works very well with Bella Bucy on the mound, calling the games for us. That battery is quite unique. I'm not sure who is more competitive. Haleigh reads batters well in the box and is knowledgeable about various players she plays with and against in the summer.”

Every girl in TJ's starting lineup had at least one hit against Laurel Highlands, led by Karcher, Truax (2 for 4) and Bucy (2 for 4), who played first base against the Mustangs.

Whalen, freshman DH Lily Rockwell, Brock, Cleary, Chalovich, Zang and Liberi added one hit apiece.

“Lauren Liberi hits line drives at key aspects in the game and gets the RBIs when we need them,” coach Karcher said.

Thornton was the winning pitcher.

Through the first month of the season, Thornton and Rockwell led the Jaguars in hitting with .579 and .520 batting averages. They were complemented by Truax (.441), Karcher (.425) and Liberi (.409).

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Thomas Jefferson