Franklin Regional softball sluggers back for more in ’24

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, March 23, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Get your warning tracks ready. Franklin Regional is back for more.

The Panthers softball team blasted 32 home runs last season and there is no reason to believe the can’t hit that many — or more — in 2024.

Franklin Regional could be one of the top offensive teams in the area again and might make a push in the playoffs if pitching and defense follow the bats.

The Panthers feature junior Toryn Fulton, a power-hitting infielder who has committed to South Florida.

Fulton hit .552 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs.

Junior catcher Ciara Camacho is another staple in the lineup. A speedster who can get rallies started, she is a key cog on offense and defense.

Other returning starters include Adrianna Martz, a sophomore outfielder, and sophomore pitcher Chloe Lancaster.

“Unfortunately, last season we lost a lot of our seniors who all played and were important players to our team and made an impact, but I don’t think that is going to stop us from making our run in the playoffs,” Fulton said. “I expect to make it to playoffs this year and have a great record in our section. I think we are going to excel by getting a bunch of extra bases with most of our runners because we have a lot of speed on the team.”

Veteran coach Jim Armstrong has a number of players looking to make an impact. They include sophomore Averi Lamfrom, and freshmen Ella Rozycki, Alex Speranza, Celina Camacho, Ceana Copeland, Maddie Hill, and Ava Rhoten.

Youth will be an issue since the team only returns one senior, but players like sophomore Adrianna Martz saw a lot of innings last spring.

“I would like to think that the young girls will be exciting to watch play and learn the game,” Armstrong said. “We are in a very good section with Armstrong and Latrobe, who also lost a lot of players. Penn-Trafford is set to have a bounce-back year. We are counting the days until we can see how we match up with all of them.

The lone senior is Iyarah Hicks.

“I would like to think that the young girls will be exciting to watch play and learn the game,” Armstrong said. “We are in a very good section, but Armstrong and Latrobe also lost many players. Denny (Little) over at Penn-Trafford is set to have a bounce-back year. We are counting the days until we can see how we match up with all of them.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional