Honesdale varsity softball team struggling in early season Lackawanna League action

HONESDALE — It’s been rough going for a young Honesdale softball team to this point in the 2024 Lackawanna League season.

With solid play from the likes of Makayla Cobourn, Maria Maglione, Rachele Chee and Georgianna Maglione, the Lady Hornets have shown glimpses of intriguing potential. However, they’re still searching for that elusive first victory.

Coach Maria West’s squad opened up the campaign with a couple of lopsided non-league losses to Crestwood and Wilkes Barre. And while their overall record currently stands at 0-6, the Red & Black have shown consistent improvement in early league action.

“This is a young team,” West said. “But, the girls seem to have bought into what we're trying to build. I reassure them every day that we're in this together, and as long as we keep showing up and putting the work in, we're going in the right direction.”

Weather permitting, Honesdale will be back on the diamond Monday afternoon for a home game against Western Wayne. First pitch is slated for 4:30 p.m. at the Daniel J. O’Neill Sports Complex.

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Veteran leadership

As with any young team, this year’s Honesdale softball squad is looking to its upperclassmen for leadership.

Makayla Cobourn, Maria Maglione, Rachele Chee and Georgianna Maglione are battle tested veterans who’ve been chosen to serve as captains this spring.

“Our captains work well and play well together,” West said. “They communicate on and off the field with each other and their teammates. These girls lead by positive example. They’re respected and looked up to by the underclassmen.”

Cobourn is a senior and one of the Lady Hornets’ most versatile athletes. She can play all three outfield positions and will also be called upon to pitch.

So far this season, Cobourn has twirled against Paupack, Riverside, Lakeland and Old Forge. Offensively, she’s been swinging the bat well and has a pair of key hits to her credit.

“I’m really looking forward to forming bonds with my teammates and continuing to make great memories together,” said Cobourn, who will continue her softball career next year at Alvernia University.

Maria Maglione is senior and four-year member of the varsity squad. She anchors the infield at third base and provides serious pop in the middle of the batting order.

Maglione ripped a pair of hits in Honesdale’s most recent game, a 6-1 loss on the road at Old Forge on Wednesday. She also scored the only run.

Her future plans include attending Lorenzo Walker Technical College in the fall where she will study cosmetology.

Chee is another talented multi-sport star. The junior is in her third year with the varsity softball team. She’s also a standout in soccer and a district champion on the girls wrestling squad.

Chee is patrolling right field this spring. She is currently batting .286, leading the team in both hits and runs scored.

“I’m really excited to see what we can accomplish this year,” said Chee, who is a member of the National Honor Society.

Georgianna Maglione has a great deal of travel ball experience and is in her third year on varsity. The junior plays first base and bats fifth in the order.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of the season with my teammates,” said Maglione, who serves on student council and is a member of the St. John’s Youth Group.

Never surrender

The tale of the tape through the season’s first two weeks isn’t all that pretty for Honesdale.

The Lady Hornets have lost six straight and been outscored by a whopping margin of 91-7. However, thanks to the efforts of younger players like Leah Salzameda, Ava Patrisso and Abby Hiller, optimism is running high that things may turn around.

Salzameda is a hard-throwing junior pitcher who turned in a solid effort Monday at home versus Riverside. Patrisso, a scrappy junior second baseman, is providing dependable defense and gritty at-bats. Hiller, a promising sophomore, has been flashing Gold Glove leather at shortstop.

The emergence of these talented youngsters, along with the steady leadership of her veteran captains, has West anticipating brighter days ahead.

“I feel like we are making great strides, especially offensively,” she said. “We've been struggling to put hits together, but our confidence is growing each day.”

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Honesdale softball team struggling in Lackawanna League action