“Initially our feelings were naturally disappointment,”says Head Coach Jason Chapel of his team’s unexpected early exit from Districts, “This group .. especially the seniors .. had high expectations after coming off what they accomplished last year. But in the end, we needed to reflect on what they have accomplished over the years .. that final game shouldn’t diminish the success they’ve had.”

That success includes championship banners and a 41-2 record over the past two seasons.

The Mounties rolled through the early part of their 2024 schedule and sat at 9-0 midway through the season, having outscored their opponents 90-2 .. allowing single runs in a 11-1 win over Hughesville and in a 10-1 win over CV. 

Liberty’s 9-0 second half was highlighted by a 6-5 win over eventual New York State champ Corning, a 14-1 win over a 15-4 Troy squad and handing District runner-up Muncy their lone loss of the regular season, 1-0.

Leading the way for Liberty was the 2023 All-Tioga County Player of the Year, pitcher Mackenzi Tice. Tice threw 80 innings for the Mounties and finished 15-1 with a .79 ERA and 122 strikeouts. The Penn College-bound senior also produced at the plate, hitting .370 with a .490 on-base-percentage, 31 base hits (including five doubles and a triple), 21 RBI, 35 runs scored and 21 stolen bases. 

“Kenzie is a workhorse,” says Chapel of his ace, “She’s been our pitcher in travel and school ball the last three years and has put in countless hours. Her hard work has paid off. If I had one pitcher to start a big game, it would be Kenzie.”

Tice’s battery mate and All-Tioga County first-teamer Saige Lehman has provided a ton of pop to the Mountie lineup, while also establishing herself as one of the premier catchers in the region. The senior hit .460 with a .550 on-base-percentage, 30 base hits, 25 RBI, 26 runs scored and10 stolen bases.

“Absolute joy to coach,” says Chapel of his catcher Lehman, “she always did what you asked .. we never had to worry that we weren't going to get 100% from Saige. She’s worked extremely hard to become one of the top catchers in the league.”

The Mounties’ roster of senior stars .. who Chapel points out have been playing together “for as long as they could swing a bat” included shortstop Mckenna Lightner, third baseman Megan Spohn, outfielders Nikki Kiscadden and Marissa Gries and first baseman Payton Chapel.

“I’ve coached these girls since t-ball,” says Chapel of his daughter Payton and her classmates, “I think it’s very rare to find a group of girls that just enjoy the game as much as they do.”

“Kenna (Lightner .. .250 BA, .333 OBP, 14 hits, 15 runs, 13 RBI, 10 BB) is such an easy player to coach,” Chapel says, “she wanted to be a shortstop from a young age .. and she worked hard during practice and showed up on off days to put in the time to be a great one.” 

Chapel feels very fortunate to have had a solid presence at third base in All-Tioga County first-teamer Spohn (.338 BA, .425 OBP, 25 hits (4-2B, 1-3B), 26 RBI, 14 runs) for the past four seasons, saying, “It’s going to be tough to find anyone that is as solid on defense and has as good of a bat as Meg has shown since her freshman year.”

Of his outfield tandem of Griess and Kiscadden, Chapel points to the pair’s team-first mentality as a big factor in the Mounties’ successes. 

“Marissa has been thrown all over the outfield positions the last couple of years”, says Chapel, “and I can’t count how many times I’ve driven by the field and she is shagging fly balls with her Dad .. always wanting to get better to help the team in anyway she can. And Nikki is a player you just love having around .. she could play in the outfield, the infield and she can catch, with more ability than she knows and just a great attitude.”

Holding down first base for the Lady Mounties through their rebuilding process has been Coach Chapel’s daughter, the All-Tioga County Defensive Player of the Year and first-teamer Payton Chapel, who committed just two errors in 152 chances for the Mounties this season and hit .290 with a .425 OBP, 15 base hits, 14 runs scored and 11 RBI.

“It’s tough being the coaches kid,” says the elder Chapel, “but she made herself into one of the best first baseman in the league. Like all of her teammates, she put in many hours hitting and working on fundamentals at first .. digging the ball for hours over the years. Payton wasn’t always the biggest bat in the lineup, but she came through with some big hits the last two seasons .. especially towards the end of the year, going into the playoffs.”

In a tough-to-crack lineup, Chapel points to a pair of underclassmen who have more than held their own among the experienced Mountie roster.

“Our other two starters played a big role in the seniors’ successes,” says Chapel of All-Tioga County first-teamers Addie Smith (.340 BA, .410 OBP, 26 hits, 28 runs, 10 SB), a junior, and sophomore Haley Litzelman (.305 BA, .414 OBP, 22 hits (6-2B, 3 HR), 28 RBI, 17 runs, 10 BB, pitched 31 innings, .45 ERA, 42 K).

“Addie played in the outfield for us last year after she hurt her arm and couldn’t pitch,” says Chapel, “but this year I moved her to second base, where she stepped right in and did a great job. She’s been pitching during practice occasionally also, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see her work hard in the offseason and be fighting for time in the circle next year.”

“Litz played multiple positions for us the last two seasons,” explains Chapel of his 2023 Rookie of the Year, “including some pitching time. She’ll be leaned on next year for more time on the mound.”

With all of the accomplishments and banners collected by this special group of young ladies .. not only during the high school season but also through their extensive travel ball experience .. Chapel hopes that they will remember .. and be remembered .. for much more than the way their 2024 high school season came to an end.

“These girls have spent the last several January’s through August’s playing ball together,” says Chapel, “making so many memories .. a majority of which came OFF of the field. How it ended was disappointing, but this group definitely will be talked about .. the accomplishments they have achieved in multiple sports, in the classroom and the community was impressive.”

There is considerable work to be done to try and replace the seniors he has coached for the past dozen years, and while unsure of his future as North Penn-Liberty’s Head Coach, Chapel expresses that he would like to continue being involved with the next group of promising young players coming through. 

But first, Chapel wishes to focus on the squad that brought Liberty softball to the forefront of the area softball scene. 

“I couldn't be more proud of this team,” says Chapel, “and in the end, we as coaches (Chapel’s assistants included Adam Freon, Kyle Smith and Lynn Kshir) hope that we played some part in making these young women into who they are. And I’m certain they’ll realize someday that they have accomplished more than they think.”

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