Northampton High School softball catcher, Hannah Peters, had plenty of reasons to try out for the Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup Softball team last month.

"I knew a couple girls who were on it before, and they said it was a good time. It was a good experience to go to Philly, and it's important to me to expand my comfort zone," Peters said.

Soon after, Peters found out she made the team, which will compete in a double-elimination tournament at FDR Park in Philadelphia later this month.

The tournament also allows players to showcase their talents in front of college coaches.

"It will be good exposure for myself, and it gets my name out there," said Peters.

Although Peters' primary position is catcher, she is prepared to play third base, her secondary position, if necessary.

"I've played the whole infield besides pitcher. I'm most comfortable at third base and catching. With tournament ball, I've been in contact with new girls, so I'm used to learning different pitchers," she said.

The Lehigh Valley team is coached by John Eyer.

"I know he coaches well, and he's a great guy overall," Peters said. "I know a majority of the girls. I know Sam Curcio [Notre Dame] from tournament ball, and Emily Cecchini [Liberty]. I used to play with her. And Amber [Thomas from Northern Lehigh]."

The Carpenter Cup Softball tournament is scheduled for June 24-28.

"I'm looking forward to the overall experience and meeting new people," Peters said.

The rest of the roster is made up of: Emmaus's Olivia Marcks, Liberty's Nicole Iasiello and Emily Cecchini, Salisbury's Jenna Keet and Meghan Williams, Catasauqua's Janae Matos, Northern Lehigh's Amber Thomas, Saucon Valley's Arastina Barry, Nazareth's Katie Thompson, Pleasant Valley's Jordan Meckes and Madison Shaneberger, Southern Lehigh's Krystyna Elsner, Pen Argyl's Emily Smull and Alyssa Weaver, and Notre Dame's Sam Curcio. They will compete in the double-elimination tournament scheduled for June 24-27 at FDR Park in Philadelphia.

This is the ninth season for Carpenter Cup softball, sponsored by the Philadelphia Phillies, giving college coaches the opportunity to observe sophomore and junior softball players from the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.

Last year, the Lehigh Valley team took second place against teams from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. In 2006 and 2008, the Lehigh Valley team was crowned Carpenter Cup Champions, and in 2007, Lehigh Valley placed second.

Coach John Eyer, who is Emmaus' head softball coach, will be assisted by Scott Bortz and Blake Morgan.

"We are looking forward to more success this year," Eyer said.

The tournament is scheduled to run June 24-28 at FDR Park in Philadelphia.