By BUTCH HARMON
A familiar name is on the bench this season for the Ithaca Yellowjackets softball team.
Long-time Ithaca baseball coach Dar Peska has taken over as head coach this year, after spending the past 20 years at Alma.
Peska had a successful stint at Alma, as he guided the Panthers to five conference championships, to four conference runner-up finishes, to two district titles, and through a 21-inning district game that was the longest in state history. Alma also won two regional titles and made a state semifinal appearance, where it was defeated by the eventual state champion.
Peska has 378 total wins and returns to Ithaca, where he coached baseball for 25 years.
Peska takes over an Ithaca team that last year had an overall record of 17-13, was 6-8 in conference play, and won the district title. The Yellowjackets have suffered some key losses, as Cassie and Kali Densmore have graduated and Blaire Showers now runs track.
Some key players are back, though. Senior Jamie Gose is at third base. Brooklyn Dolloff and Courtney Cooley head up the outfield. Sophomores Kylee Chaffin and Liz Bentley return to pace the pitching staff and also to play in the infield. Paige Shaw is back behind the plate at catcher. The team has also been boosted by a pair of transfers, with senior Mikayla Barrows catching and playing third base and Kerrigan Akin at second base. MacKenzie Thompson, Madison Pung, and Jordan Town are in the mix at first base.
“We are very young, but I expect to be in the top three and have a chance for first with the right breaks,” Peska said.