Record 502-332-1

It all began on April 22, 1970 with a win against Allentown Central Catholic. The Rovers won 19 to 3. Lead off batter Pam Richards singled for Easton’s very first hit, and then stole second for the first stolen base in Easton history. Patty Heilman drove in Pam for the first RBI, while Pam scored the first Rover run. The first extra base hit was a double by Terry Erhardt. Karen Meyers picked up the first victory, striking out six and walking only two. The first homerun was hit by Marge Simmons against Bethlehem Catholic on April 28, 1970.  Softball was played with ten players until the 1975 season.  The tenth player was a fourth outfielder called the "short centerfielder" or "short fielder".

Coach Pat Fisher 1970 - 1977

     Easton Area High School first fielded a softball team in the spring of 1970 coached by legendary Rovers’ coach Pat Fisher. The inaugural team was 8-1. Pat Fisher coached eight seasons from 1970 through 1977; she finished with a record of 88 wins and 24 losses. Coach Fisher led the Rovers to their only league and District XI championships in 1971 capturing the East Penn League and in 1973 winning the Rovers only District XI championship (the very first District XI championship held).
     Some of the top players during the Coach Fisher era were: Judy Kovacs (72) career record holder batting average .647 and RBI’s 80, Kathy Ziegenfuss (72) top pitcher in the early days had a record of 13-2 and a career strike out mark of 62, Pam Richards (71) scored the very first Rover run in 1970, Terry Ricker (73) was a stolen base record holder with 73, Kelly Cornish (76) career RBI’s 109 and hits 101, Sue Reese (76) career win by pitcher with 13, Renee LaPrete (74) Diane Henley (73) runs scored in season 30 Val Wheeler (77) and Debbie Nunes (74) one of the most feared power hitters of any era. The following earned All League Honors under Coach Fisher: Diane Henley (73), Terry Ricker (73), Kim Zigenfuss (73 & 74), Debbie Nunes (73 & 74), Beth Harron (74 & 75), Renee LaPrete (74), Kelley Cornish (74), Laure Newhard (74) and Lynn Wilson (75).

Coach Judy Kovacs 1978 – 1982

Coach Kovacs took over for Coach Fisher in 1978 and posted a 51 and 27 record over the next five seasons. Top players during coach Kovacs’ era: Charis Innerella (78), Barb Kress (82) held career wins record with 24 once pitched back to back no hitters in district XI play-offs, Laura Pudloski (82) two time all conference player, Pam Stackhouse (81), Barb Matase (81), Ann Symia (81) and Jill Purdy (82). The following players were named to the All League team under Coach Kovacs: Jill Styers (78), Laura Pudloski (80 & 82) and Ann Symia (80).

Coach Ed McIntyre 1983 – 2012

Coach McIntyre became the third softball coach in 1983. In the past twenty-nine seasons his teams have posted a record of 363 wins, 281 losses and 1 tie. The 2011 team captured Easton's first District XI title since winning the inaugural District XI championship in 1973.  The 2006 team captured Easton softball's first league championship in thirty-five years.  The Rovers were crowned LVIAC Champions in 2006.  The 1986, 2005 and 2007 teams played in the District XI finals, losing to Northampton 9-8 in 1986, 8-1 to Parkland in 2005 and 3-0 to Emmaus in 2007.   The Rovers were 59-81 during the 80’s under Coach McIntyre. Some of the stars from coach McIntyre’s early years were: Carol Kinnaman (83), Julie Reed (84) top hitter during coach McIntyre’s era with career batting average of 411, Cindy Powell (84), Liz Edwards (86) two time all conference player at two different positions, Tracy Zarbatany (86), Sue Weller (86), Diane Xander (86), Jamie Bennett (87), Allison Riffert (88) most hits for a career 101, Julie Fogt (89), Kim Carr (89), Tara Encarnacion (88) and Ashley Emory (89).

     The 90's Rovers had record of 135-84.  But it wasn’t until the mid 90’s that Easton softball rose to the top. These teams were a sparkling 117-42 from 1993-1999. The 1993, 94, 96, 98 & 99 teams won or played for league or division titles. The 1996 team, right in the middle of our great teams of the 90’s, set a school record with 20 wins (tied twice 2005 & 2006). The players who turned things around during these years were among the best to ever wear an Easton uniform. Sisters, Maureen (96) and Shennon (99) McIntyre both pitchers, combined for 107 of the 117 wins over the seven seasons and spear headed our attack on division titles. They held or shared virtually every pitching record there is, while contributing offensively as well. Alicia Good (98) became the all time leader in hits for a career with 105.  Ashley Farmer (99) and Shennon McIntyre became the first four time league award winners, they also became the Iron Players starting all 93 games during their careers.  Other important players of this time were Nicole Julian (93), Jen Keiber (93), Janie Jones (94), Dee Marte (94), Michelle Duckworth (94), Marcia Cavanaugh (94), Kim Dalrymple (95), Karen Gulini (96), Amy Chisesi (96), Cara Corona (96), Amy Cavanaugh (96), Tiffany Hosmer (97), Lori Blanchfield (98), Alyssa Cortez (98), Jeannine Ostrander (98) and Francis Marte (99).

     The first decade of the 2000's is in the book.  The Rovers finished the decade with a record of 126 and 89.  The 2005 & 2006 teams were 40-7.  The 2006 team captured the first Easton league title (LVIAC) since 1973.  The 2005 & 2006 teams joined the 1996 team single season  tied school record of 20 wins.  The top player of the 2000’s was Allie Hartzell.  Allie removed the McIntyre girls from just about every pitch record.  Allie was the first four time First Team All Conference player for Easton.  have been Frances Marte (00), Lori Scheets (00), Jessica Miller (01), Lauren Assise (01), Danielle Gentile (02), Richelle McWilliams (02), Priscilla Michaud (02), Leslie Barrows (04), Kim Hartzell (05), Kate Lissi (05), Sarah Elliott (05), Erica Kostura (06), Ryanne Perio (06), Allison Arnold (06), Amanda Paulus (07), Michelle Grundhauser (08) and Alison Hartzell (08).   Some players who seemed destined to put their mark on Easton softball are Morgan Neel (10), Meghan Brown (10), Sarah Rasley (11) and Audra Heilman (11).

     The 2010's got off to a pretty good start.  The Rovers captured a division title in 2010 and a District XI Championship in 2011.  The Rovers are 32-17 at the start of the decade.   Sara Rasley became the first Rover named to the PIAA All-State Team, repeated in 2011 and was joined by Audra Heilman (OF) in 2011.   Chelsea Quinn added her name to the list of softball All Staters as the 2012 honorable mention shortstop.

     The following players were named to All League First Teams under Coach McIntyre; Julie Reed (84), Theresa Melhem (84), Liz Edwards (85 & 86), Sue Weller (86), Staci Matlock (86), Allison Riffert (87), Julie Fogt (88), Karen Gulini (94 & 95), Alicia Good (96, 97 & 98 Easton’s first three time All Conference Player), Alyssa Cortez (98), Ashley Farmer (98 & 99), Shennon McIntyre (99), Lauren Bolmer (99), Lori Scheetz (00), Leslie Barrows (02), Kim Hartzell (05) Ryanne Perio (06) Amanda Paulus (07), Alison Hartzell (05, 06, 07 & 08 first four time All Conference player), Audra Heilman (11) and Sara Rasley (11).

Special awards winners

PIAA All-State

     2010--Sara Rasley (SS) 

     2011--Sara Rasley (SS)

     2011--Audra Heilman (OF)

     2012--Chelsea Quinn (SS Honorable Mention) 

The Express Times Softball Player of The Year 

     1995--Maureen McIntyre (96)

     1998--Alicia Good (98)

The Morning Call Players of the Year

     2006--Ryanne Perio (06) & Allison Hartzell (08)

     2010--Sara Rasley

     2011--Sara Rasley  

LVIAC Softball Scholar/Athlete

     2006--Ryanne Perio  

     2000--Lori Scheetz

     2006--Ryanne Perio

Carole Weil Award

     1997--Tiffany Hosmer

     2000--Lori Scheetz

     2006--Ryanne Perio

     2007--Amanda Paulus  

     2011--Jeannie Connolly

Outstanding Pitcher of the Carole Weil All Star Classic

     1996--Maureen McIntyre

     1999--Shennon McIntyre

Kyle Miller Courage Award

     1996--Amy Cavanaugh

NFCA All North Region

     2006--Allison Hartzell

     2007--Allison Hartzell

     2007--Amanda Paulus

     Easton Area High School has fielded a softball team for the past 43 years, during that time we have a record of 502 wins, 332 losses and 1 tie.  Our pitchers have thrown 3 perfect game, 13 no hitters, 14 one hitters, 108 shutouts and allowed 4197 runs. We have scored 5765 runs and been shut out 66 times. We have appeared in eight league championship games, winning in 1971 and 2006. We have appeared in 25 District XI Play-offs and have a record of 27 wins and 23 losses. In the late 80’s we hosted five tournaments to raise funds for diabetic research. We won three of the five tournaments going 8-2 in these tournaments. We donated over ten thousand dollars to the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the American Diabetes Association from the proceeds of the tournaments.

     The teams that stand out above the rest would be the 1970, 1971, 1973, 1986, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011 teams. These teams stand above the rest because of their contributions to EAHS softball history. The 1970 team was the first softball team. The 1971 team was the first league champion. The 1973 team was the first District XI Champion crowned. The 1986 team was the first team in thirteen seasons to reach the District XI Finals. The 1993 team ended a four-year streak of losing records and tied for the EPC East Division Title. The 1994 team won the first EPC Division Title in over twenty years. The 1996 team set a school record for wins with twenty that season. The 1998 team won the EPC City Division Title. The 1999 team won the Mountain Valley, Valley Division Title. The 2005 team won its first LVIAC Northampton Division Championship and finished second in the LVIAC and District XI Tournament.  The 2006 team captured LVIAC league championship, the first under coach McIntyre.  The 2007 team played in District XI finals against Emmaus.  The 2010 team battled through injuries and a rough start to comeback and capture East Division crown and the number one seed in LVIAC Play-offs. The 2011 team won the District XI Championship for the second time after having won the inaugural championship in 1973.

I hope this information is helpful, insightful and interesting.