After six successful seasons, Salisbury High School softball head coach Jeff Appleman stepped down at his post following the 2021 season. Appleman guided the Falcons to two Colonial League finals (2017 and 2018) and one District 11 final in 2019. With the exception of the COVID-shortened spring season of 2020, Salisbury qualified for districts every season under Appleman.

“It was a great experience coaching here,” said Appleman. “This school doesn’t have a history of success, and we wanted to change that. The assistant coaches, Robbie Schappell, Marissa Costa and Kassy Beckage, were instrumental in that change.

“We have softball players, but we are dependent on players from other sports. Soccer players over the years, from Sarah Reilly, Holly Bruns through Kayla Trenge, swimmers like Julia Graver and field hockey players like Katherine Lovelidge. Katherine led our team in hits this year and hasn’t played softball in two years. Where else does that happen? We aren’t like the bigger schools. We have to build players at Salisbury, and we enjoyed the challenge of that and to be competitive at the same time. It’s a big key here.”

Appleman, who was 66-47 at Salisbury, coached four players who finished with more than 100 career hits: Anna Bishop, Lilia Crouthamel, Brooke Rogers and the school’s all-time hit leader Peyton Stauffer.

“You don’t do well without players. It’s all about them,” Appleman said. “We have great kids and families at Salisbury and have had great players here over the years. Brooke Rogers, Anna Bishop, Peyton Stauffer, Emily Silberman, Marcie Silberman and Lilia Crouthamel are some of the best players we’ve ever had here. Them and all the other players who have given their all, I’ll always remember. I’ve said it before, we’re in the business of creating memories and I’ll remember all the kids that have created great memories for me over the years.”

Appleman has many memories that he will always be able to look back on. And just like he does with his alumni, he will follow along the progress of his younger players next season, even from outside of the dugout.

“Great memories,” said Appleman. “I’ll miss the bravado of Brooke Rogers telling the Morning Call before the Colonial semifinal game ‘Pick us; I’m pitching and were going to win,’ and then doing it. I’ll miss Lilia throwing out a runner at the plate from center field. I’ll miss the quiet intensity of Anna Bishop and Peyton Stauffer. I’ll miss starting a left-handed third baseman. I’ll miss intentionally walking Hoffman with the base loaded. I’ll miss having to explain who John Belushi is. I’ll miss hearing about the debate team. I’ll miss seeing players improve.

“Our two Colonial League final games were great contests, Marcie Silberman hit two home runs, one in the 10th inning, to beat Palmerton in the district semifinals. Anna Bishop’s double play to beat Southern Lehigh in the Colonial Semifinals. Those were great games, but there were many of those.”