Pocono Mountain West softball achieved its best season ever, finishing with 10 wins and qualifying for the District 11 playoffs for the first time. First-year head coach Trent Cherence credits a cultural shift and hard work from the players for the turnaround.
Key points
Pocono Mountain West softball had its best season ever in 2026.
The team finished with 10 wins, the most in program history.
They qualified for the District 11 playoffs for the first time.
First-year head coach Trent Cherence implemented a cultural shift.
POCONO SUMMIT — This season is the best-ever in the history of Pocono Mountain West softball. And no, that's not an exaggeration.
Prior to 2026, the Panthers never had a winning record, with their best season coming coming in 2022, when they won seven games. But under first-year head coach Trent Cherence, West has turned it around quickly, ending the regular season with 10 wins, the most in program history, and clinching a spot in the District 11 playoffs for the first time ever.
"The girls worked really hard this year," Cherence said. "All offseason, they were in 3-5 days a week, and they just put in a lot of work. So I'm grateful to have the group that I have, and that's the only reason why we got there."
Cherence has been a part of the program for three years, serving as an assistant coach before taking over as head coach. Most of the players have been in the program for multiple years, so what was the difference?
"I think it's the culture we brought," Cherence said. "I brought a little bit of the culture with how I coach and how we do things. We try to make everything perfect. And in this sport, you've got to make everything perfect, or else you're going to continue to fail. But we like to fail, because when we do, we get to learn."
West softball head coach Trent Cherence going through warmups with the team.
West softball head coach Trent Cherence going through warmups with the team.
West softball wasn't a team without talent. The Panthers had one of the better pitchers in the EPC in senior Julia MacPhee, who reached 300 career strikeouts this season.
MacPhee was also aware of the issues that held the program back but immediately noticed the difference going into this year.
"Before intramurals even started, we were in the weight room before anyone else, running the stairs before anyone else," MacPhee said. "We really put in the work, and we deserved to be there."
The senior ace said Cherence made it clear in the beginning of the season, saying "it was up to us" regarding how far the team would go in 2026. And the players responded, including MacPhee, who ended the regular season with a 4.40 ERA and 93 strikeouts, both of which are the best season-marks of her career.
Q&A
What was Pocono Mountain West softball's best record before 2026?
Before 2026, Pocono Mountain West softball had never had a winning record, with their best season being seven wins in 2022.
Who is the head coach of Pocono Mountain West softball?
The head coach of Pocono Mountain West softball is Trent Cherence, who took over in 2026 after serving as an assistant coach for three years.
How many wins did Pocono Mountain West softball achieve this season?
This season, Pocono Mountain West softball achieved 10 wins, marking the most in the program's history.
Why did Pocono Mountain West softball have a successful season in 2026?
The success in 2026 is attributed to a cultural shift brought by coach Trent Cherence and the hard work of the players, who trained 3-5 days a week.
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Pocono Mountain West starting softball pitcher Julia MacPhee (13) assesses the situation against East on May 4, 2026.
Pocono Mountain West starting softball pitcher Julia MacPhee (13) assesses the situation against East on May 4, 2026.
When asked about what the difference was this season, MacPhee gave all the credit to her teammates.
"If I couldn't get the strikeout for them, they were going to get the out for me," MacPhee said. "I really pushed myself for them. They made me stronger and more confident."
Pocono Mountain West's climb to the top didn't come without its share of challenges, the biggest one losing starting catcher Sam Rider for the season due to injury. That means Cherence, MacPhee and the team had to rely on a freshman, Cora Gillette, to be productive behind the plate.
There's always a level of uncertainty relying on a freshman at such an important position, but Gillette came through, batting .321 and driving in 18 runs while playing solid defense.
"I love Cora," MacPhee said. "In the beginning of the season, we did not talk that much. She was very quiet. And then once we started doing bullpens together, I started getting her out of her shell more, then I got to see her true self and build her confidence. She's a very strong catcher."
Pocono Mountain West softball's catcher Cora Gillette during the regular season finale against East on May 4, 2026.
Pocono Mountain West softball's catcher Cora Gillette during the regular season finale against East on May 4, 2026.
Gillette was admittedly nervous about the role she was thrust into, going from a freshman learning the ropes behind a veteran to a full-time starter. It was even harder as she has a quiet personality. But she soon adapted to be the best version of herself for West.
"I realized that I had to push my nervousness to the side. If I didn't, we wouldn't have gotten as far as we did," Gillette said. "Taking the leadership role as a catcher is important."
Regarding her relationship with MacPhee, Gillette said she was nervous at first because, due to the pitcher-catcher dynamic, she was a freshman sometimes guiding the senior on what to do.
Beyond that, Gillette said she feels "accomplished" about how the season went for her, and that she's happy to be a part of the team's success.
West softball had no shortage of contributors, but junior Chloe Straub was the best bat on the team, leading the Panthers in batting average (.438), RBIs (22) and home runs (3). But the most significant move of Straub's season was from the infield to the outfield.
Straub's primary position — and the one she enjoys the most — is first base, but due to the team's depth at first base and lack of depth in the outfield, she moved to right field.
"The beginning was definitely a big struggle for me," Straub said. "It was hard to accept that my favorite position was being taken away to play another position. But honestly, sometimes I know you have to make sacrifices for your team and do it for the love of the sport and for your teammates.
"At some point, I sort of enjoyed it in my own way."
Pocono Mountain West's Chloe Straub (17) covers right fied during the game against East on May 4, 2026.
Pocono Mountain West's Chloe Straub (17) covers right fied during the game against East on May 4, 2026.
Cherence applauded Straub's sacrifice, sharing how her strong arm and range really helped the team maximize its potential. Straub also found fun in throwing out baserunners, so that made the switch easier too.
What made this season even more special was how West punched its ticket to the district playoffs — by beating Pleasant Valley, a perennial top team on the mountain, a second time thanks to a grand slam from Straub and a home run from MacPhee.
Straub recalled how loud it got after the first out of the seventh inning, knowing what the team pushed for all season was close to reality.
"Everybody was screaming, cheering, crying; it was such a great experience," Straub said. "I don't think we've ever had a moment like that. It was a great game, a big memory for us and a really proud moment."
Making the playoffs was a proud moment, but it didn't come as a surprise to Cherence, who set the standard high before the first pitch was even thrown.
"'We're going to the playoffs.' That's the first thing we said this year — we're going to take this team, get 10 wins for the most in West history, and we're gonna go to the playoffs," Cherence said. "When we got it, we were happy, we were excited, but there's still a lot more work to do."
The future for West softball is very bright, as the Panthers only lose five players to graduation. And if double-digit wins and a district playoff appearance are what they can do in a year's time, imagine what the Panthers can do going forward.
