Since she is graduating from Wellsville-Middletown High School in May, Della Gosseen wanted to do something she has never done before – play softball.

“It’s my senior year,” Gosseen said. “This is my last chance to do this. This is my last chance to do a lot of things and I’m trying to get it all in before the moment passes.”

In early August, Gosseen not only made the W-M softball team, but also joined a squad that has returned to action after a year hiatus. The Tigers didn’t field a softball team in 2023.

“We had a practice last year, which was my junior year,” Gosseen said. “They had one practice and one girl showed up. So we didn’t have a season last year. Even the girls who are returning to softball, they haven’t picked up a glove or put on cleats in over a year.”

On Sept. 2, Gosseen and the Tigers began their season with a home game against Community R-6. Even though the Tigers lost 17-0 in three innings, they were happy that there was action on the softball field again.

“It’s good to be back,” W-M senior Maddi Poage said.

Poage, seniors Indica Scott, Alyssa Beach and Alivia Stewart and junior Brooke Stroup played on the last W-M softball team in 2022. That year, it canceled the final three weeks of the season because it didn’t have a full roster.

Poage said she was thrilled to return to softball in her senior year.

“I was pretty excited,” Poage said. “(W-M coach Alex) Thull really convinced me to play. I didn’t know if I would or not, but I’m glad I did.”

Gosseen, who competed in cheerleading and track, came into the first week of practice in August with no softball experience. Still, she was determined to give the sport a shot.

“I was really nervous because I didn’t know that I was definitely going to play softball until about July 20,” Gosseen said. “It was late into the summer, so I didn’t come out for any of the summer practices. I had no reps under my belt. Then, I showed up on the first day of practice. I went home and I told mom that I am so far behind. This is going to be rough, but she told me to keep working at it.”

Against Community R-6, Gosseen came in relief of sophomore Elly Cash with no outs in the top of the first. She pitched three innings, picked up a strikeout and made three putouts.

Also for the Tigers, Scott singled with two outs in the bottom of the third for the team’s only hit. She also threw out a runner from center field.
Gosseen said she was amazed with the support her team got in its first game back in almost two years.

“There were so many people here,” Gosseen said. “Considering that it was a holiday and that many people showed up, it’s crazy.”

The Tigers have 16 players on their team, half of them are freshmen and sophomores. Poage, who plays third base, said she has high hopes for the W-M softball program in the future.

“I think the more girls we get out here practicing and watching us play, the better the program will get,” Poage said.

W-M is still looking for its first win. The Tigers are 0-8 with eight regular season games to go.  Their next game is Sept. 24 against Elsberry on the road.