HS SOFTBALL: Young Lady Devils team looks to return to District XI playoffs

SHENANDOAH – The Lady Devils made the District XI playoffs last season and are looking to return to the tournament as they enter the 2026 campaign with a young team.

“We’re going to be very competitive this year than other years,” Shenandoah Valley Head Coach Joe Michalik told the Sentinel last week at practice. “It’s a young team, but they’re willing to do anything I ask them.”

The Lady Devils, he said, have a core group of returners and promising newcomers, including junior pitcher Aubrie Monaghan, sophomore infielder Brynn Burke, sophomore pitcher Zoey Zulkowski, sophomore pitcher Gianna Donovan, and freshman pitcher Giana Troutman.

“Giana Troutman’s young, but she’s got an arm on her,” Michalik said. “Gianna Donovan, we didn’t have her last year because of her knee but she’s ready to go.”

Michalik said, while the team intends to return to the District XI playoff bracket, his eyes are on the Schuylkill League tournament.

The team is without some key starters last year, like Morgan Labosky, but the team is optimistic.

“We lost a few last year, Morgan Labosky was a big loss,” Burke told the Sentinel. “A lot of girls are coming up and replacing them.”

“We have some strong hitters, a new catcher, I think we’re going to do pretty good this season,” Burke said.

Zulkowski said the team is “ready to play.”

“Everyone is improving this year,” Zulkowski said.

“I have high expectations,” Monaghan told the Sentinel.

The Lady Devils are scheduled to open Schuylkill League play Tuesday afternoon against Weatherly at Bicentennial Park in Shenandoah.

About Author

Kaylee Lindenmuth

Kaylee Lindenmuth is a Shenandoah native with a passion for journalism and the community she calls home. She is a 12-time Keystone Media Award winner, a PAB Excellence in Broadcasting award winner, and has been nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Emmy award.

See author's posts