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VARDEN — Local diamond fans came out in big numbers late last May to witness a very rare event in the annals of spring sports.
Following an exciting late-season surge, Western Wayne’s varsity softball team hosted Carbondale Area in the first round of the District 2 tournament. It marked the first time in more than two decades that the Wildcats had played a home playoff game.
With a big raucous crowd looking on, coach Joe Romanowski’s girls powered their way to a convincing 4-1 win. They would subsequently advance all the way to the Class AAA semis before finally falling to top-seeded Lake Lehman.
More: Local high school baseball and softball teams attend 2026 Media Day
Also by Kevin Edwards: Western Wayne softball standout Hannah DeStefano continues to pile up awards and accolades
“We put together a nice little run there at the end of last season,” said Romanowski, who’s been at the helm for 12 years now. “The goal is always to win the district championship. If we keep working hard and stay healthy, we definitely have a shot.”
Weather permitting, Western Wayne will travel to Allentown Central Catholic for its initial scrimmage on March 12.
Western Wayne was well-represented at the 2026 Lackawanna League Media Day, held March 1 at PNC Field in Moosic.
Hannah DeStefano and Adysen Wargo played key roles in last year’s unforgettable home playoff victory and both were on hand for Media Day.
A Gold Glove caliber third baseman and two-time all-state honoree, DeStefano is a talented multi-sport athlete who also excels in volleyball and basketball.
The senior slugger led her team in batting average (.435), basehits (27), runs scored (29) and RBIs (22) last spring. She also rose to the occasion versus Carbondale, reaching base three times, scoring two runs and driving in another.
“Our biggest goal this season is obviously to bring home a district title,” DeStefano said. “We have some really good veteran players coming back, but we also have a few younger girls who are going to have to step up and make plays.”
DeStefano believes that pitching and defense will be two of Western Wayne’s strengths. She also thinks that this year’s squad will feature some serious pop all up and down the batting order.
“I think we might surprise some people,” she said. “We’re going to be aggressive, put the ball in play and force the other team to make plays. I’m definitely excited to get out there and see what we can do.”
Wargo is a junior and another multi-sport standout who just recently won an individual district title in wrestling.
A right-hander who features an impressive array of pitches, Wargo led the team in wins (8) and strikeouts (110) last year. She’s the ace of Western Wayne’s staff and fired a complete game gem versus Carbondale in the playoffs.
“I know I have a really good defense behind me, so I’m not trying to strike everybody out,” Wargo said. “I’m just looking for weak contact and trying to keep batters off-balance. My best pitch is a drop curve. It’s definitely my go-to in key situations.”
Western Wayne will once again be competing in Division II of the Lackawanna League against the likes of Honesdale, Lakeland, Riverside and Dunmore.
Holy Cross and Mid Valley tied for the divisional title last spring at 13-1. The Wildcats posted an overall record of 7-10, going 6-8 in league play and finishing fourth in the Class AAA power rankings.
Romanowski’s squad is scheduled to start the regular season on March 27 at Riverside. The Wildcats will then celebrate their home opener April 6 versus Mid Valley.
Action gets underway at 4:30 p.m. in Varden.
“We have five or six kids coming back who can really hit the ball,” Romanowski said. “And we’ve got three-sport athletes everywhere you look. If things come together the way they should, we’ll be in good shape.”
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Lackawanna League softball Western Wayne Wildcats Division II
Continue reading...
Following an exciting late-season surge, Western Wayne’s varsity softball team hosted Carbondale Area in the first round of the District 2 tournament. It marked the first time in more than two decades that the Wildcats had played a home playoff game.
With a big raucous crowd looking on, coach Joe Romanowski’s girls powered their way to a convincing 4-1 win. They would subsequently advance all the way to the Class AAA semis before finally falling to top-seeded Lake Lehman.
More: Local high school baseball and softball teams attend 2026 Media Day
Also by Kevin Edwards: Western Wayne softball standout Hannah DeStefano continues to pile up awards and accolades
“We put together a nice little run there at the end of last season,” said Romanowski, who’s been at the helm for 12 years now. “The goal is always to win the district championship. If we keep working hard and stay healthy, we definitely have a shot.”
Weather permitting, Western Wayne will travel to Allentown Central Catholic for its initial scrimmage on March 12.
Veteran leadership
Western Wayne was well-represented at the 2026 Lackawanna League Media Day, held March 1 at PNC Field in Moosic.
Hannah DeStefano and Adysen Wargo played key roles in last year’s unforgettable home playoff victory and both were on hand for Media Day.
You must be registered for see images attach
A Gold Glove caliber third baseman and two-time all-state honoree, DeStefano is a talented multi-sport athlete who also excels in volleyball and basketball.
The senior slugger led her team in batting average (.435), basehits (27), runs scored (29) and RBIs (22) last spring. She also rose to the occasion versus Carbondale, reaching base three times, scoring two runs and driving in another.
“Our biggest goal this season is obviously to bring home a district title,” DeStefano said. “We have some really good veteran players coming back, but we also have a few younger girls who are going to have to step up and make plays.”
DeStefano believes that pitching and defense will be two of Western Wayne’s strengths. She also thinks that this year’s squad will feature some serious pop all up and down the batting order.
You must be registered for see images attach
“I think we might surprise some people,” she said. “We’re going to be aggressive, put the ball in play and force the other team to make plays. I’m definitely excited to get out there and see what we can do.”
Wargo is a junior and another multi-sport standout who just recently won an individual district title in wrestling.
A right-hander who features an impressive array of pitches, Wargo led the team in wins (8) and strikeouts (110) last year. She’s the ace of Western Wayne’s staff and fired a complete game gem versus Carbondale in the playoffs.
“I know I have a really good defense behind me, so I’m not trying to strike everybody out,” Wargo said. “I’m just looking for weak contact and trying to keep batters off-balance. My best pitch is a drop curve. It’s definitely my go-to in key situations.”
Ready to make a run
Western Wayne will once again be competing in Division II of the Lackawanna League against the likes of Honesdale, Lakeland, Riverside and Dunmore.
Holy Cross and Mid Valley tied for the divisional title last spring at 13-1. The Wildcats posted an overall record of 7-10, going 6-8 in league play and finishing fourth in the Class AAA power rankings.
Romanowski’s squad is scheduled to start the regular season on March 27 at Riverside. The Wildcats will then celebrate their home opener April 6 versus Mid Valley.
Action gets underway at 4:30 p.m. in Varden.
“We have five or six kids coming back who can really hit the ball,” Romanowski said. “And we’ve got three-sport athletes everywhere you look. If things come together the way they should, we’ll be in good shape.”
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Lackawanna League softball Western Wayne Wildcats Division II
Continue reading...
