Northampton High School softball players, Jillian Muthard and Hallie Muffley, were recently named to the 2016 Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup softball team.

The Lehigh Valley team, coached this year by Blake Morgan, will compete in the Carpenter Cup Classic, a Philadelphia Phillies-sponsored tournament, featuring teams comprised of high school sophomores and juniors from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

Both juniors, Muthard is a pitcher, and Muffley is an infielder. Both are also returning to the Lehigh Valley team for the second year in a row.

“I think the girls from last year will know what to expect, and the new girls will work just as hard because we want to come home with a championship,” said Muthard. “It was a lot of fun last year, and it’s a good way to see other teams. Personally, there will be a lot of college coaches there.”

The Carpenter Cup Classic is also a showcase for college coaches, and Morgan believes the more positions one can play, the more value one has to a team, including a college team.

Also on the Lehigh Valley roster are Emmaus players, Brooke Iobst, Madi Clark, and Cassie Burke, Whitehall players, Ashlee Brosky, Kay Solderitch, and Mackenzie Guzy, Parkland players, Aubree Fritzinger, Chelsea Morgan, and Shauna Frank, Liberty player, Kristin Kaleycik, Bethlehem Catholic player, Jess Indelicato, Salisbury player, Lilia Crouthamel, and Stroudsburg player, Winnai Hoyt.

Lehigh Valley’s first practice was this past Sunday evening.

“It was good. We basically worked on everything,” Muthard said. “I think the team is a lot stronger this year. There are more girls from different teams; a lot more variety.”

Even though Muthard played for Lehigh Valley last year, she knew there was no guarantee of making the team for that reason alone.

“I knew I still had to obviously try my best because there’s always a chance of not making it,” said Muthard. “I think the girls will go out, and have a good time, and represent the Lehigh Valley.”

Regarding the pressure of being a pitcher, Muthard said that comes with the territory.

“As a pitcher, you should know your team depends on you, and you should always throw your best pitch,” she said.

Lehigh Valley’s first game is scheduled for 11 a.m. on June 20 at FDR Park in Philadelphia.

“I’m looking forward to playing with new girls and getting to know them,” said Muthard. “It will be fun to see the different competition.”