Wilde Lake Softball Finishes Second In Region

Coach+Tee+and+senior+captain+Justyce+Richard+bonding+during+a+home+game.+%E2%80%9CIt+kind+of+feels+like+a+family.++It%E2%80%99s+very+family+oriented.+We+are+all+very+close+and+just+have+that+connection.+Our+coach+creates+that.+We++spend+a+lot+of+time+bonding+in+practice+and+through+games.+We+have+to+in+order+to+win%2C%E2%80%9D+said+Justyce.+

Lauren Jascewsky

Coach Tee and senior captain Justyce Richard bonding during a home game. “It kind of feels like a family. It’s very family oriented. We are all very close and just have that connection. Our coach creates that. We spend a lot of time bonding in practice and through games. We have to in order to win,” said Justyce.

Wilde Lake varsity softball ended their regular season with a   third in Howard County and second seed in 3A East Region two. As the team moved into the postseason, they finished as regional finalists, beating Long Reach 5-11. Their season ended after losing to Reservoir in the regional finals with a score of 12-2.

Wilde Lake softball had a banner season. Six players batted over 400. Heather McQueeney held an outstanding batting average of 0.569. The team scored 140 runs this season, with Justyce Richard scoring 35 runs, the highest amount on the team.

The team was swinging for the fences. Justyce had the highest slugging percentage of 1.036.
Lauren Jascewsky led the team in RBI’s with 40. Justyce pitched 70 innings, had 8 wins and 5 losses, and had 88 strike outs. 

Wilde Lake varsity softball ended their regular season with a   third in Howard County and second seed in 3A East Region two. As the team moved into the postseason, they finished as regional finalists, beating Long Reach 5-11. Their season ended after losing to Reservoir in the regional finals with a score of 12-2.

Wilde Lake softball had a banner season. Six players batted over 400. Heather McQueeney held an outstanding batting average of 0.569. The team scored 140 runs this season, with Justyce Richard scoring 35 runs, the highest amount on the team.

The team was swinging for the fences. Justyce had the highest slugging percentage of 1.036.
Lauren Jascewsky led the team in RBI’s with 40. Justyce pitched 70 innings, had 8 wins and 5 losses, and had 88 strike outs.

The team is coached by Coach Kristina Tee and Coach Suzy Vo. The two have been leading the team together since 2011. According to Coach Tee, the team faced “some challenging seasons early on.” In the past three years, however, the program has seen a “take off.” Last year, the Wildecats held a record of 16-5-1, naming them regional champions.

Heather McQueeney, senior outfielder, says that the class of 2023 “brought the team together.” Heather says that the seniors changed the program. “When we all started, we were able to bring the program together as one and we were able to win the regional championships. It was a really good look for our program,” she said.

Coach Tee says that creating a team bond has allowed the team to succeed. “We knew from the beginning that we wouldn’t find success as a group if we played as two teams, so we’ve really emphasized becoming one.” said Coach Tee.The players see the coaches’ efforts to create this bond paying off. “Our coach creates [this family bond]. We spend a lot of time bonding in practice and through  games. We have to in order to win,” said senior pitcher Justyce Richard.

According to captain outfielder and catcher Lauren Jascewsky, the diversity of the team makes them “special” in their bonds. “We all come from different backgrounds, but join together by the love of the game,” said Lauren. “I have known some girls for years and some I only met just this year.

 We have future college athletes and complete beginners.” Heather says the “supportive” environment keeps the team going. “I love how we come together as a team, especially during games. We all support each other no matter what happens, even if there are mistakes made. When positive things happen, we all cheer each other on,” she said. Wilde Lake is sending four players to play at the collegiate level. Justyce Richard is committed to play at Shippensburg University. Nokomis Styers is commited to Lebanon Valley College. Heather McQueeney has signed to play for Roanoke College, and her sister Allison McQueeney is committed to play at Shenandoah University.