Boyertown’s Neiswender, PJP’s Simmers are softball teammates once again thanks to the Carpenter Cup

PHILADELPHIA >> Thanks to the Carpenter Cup, Kyra Neiswender and Abby Simmers have been softball teammates just as long as they have been high school opponents in the Pioneer Athletic Conference.

Neiswender, a catcher, infielder and pitcher, and outfielder Simmers recently completed their junior seasons on the diamond at Boyertown and Pope John Paul II, respectively. It was a successful run for both: Neiswender and the Bears were PAC runner-ups and advanced to the District 1 6A quarterfinals, while Simmers and the Golden Panthers were District 1 4A champions and made it to the PIAA quarterfinals. Both players were First Team All-PAC selections and should be two of the better seniors in the league come 2025.

Then, once the high school season ended, each player got to look forward to one of their favorite annual traditions — getting to be teammates at the Carpenter Cup, a tri-state All-Star showcase featuring 16 teams that is in its 38th year of existence for baseball and 19th for softball that is played primarily at FDR Park in South Philadelphia, across the street from where the Phillies play their home games. Neiswender and Simmers have suited up for the Chester County team composed of players from the PAC and Ches-Mont League for each of the last three seasons; in 2022, both were timid freshmen seeking to prove themselves, while in 2024 they have blossomed into two of the team’s most respected leaders.

“It was a little intimidating (as freshmen), but every girl on this team wants the same thing — to compete, have fun and play the best softball we can,” Neiswender said on Tuesday afternoon following Chester County’s 8-2 loss to the Suburban One/Bicentennial Athletic League team. “Now as we’ve become the older ones, we’re learning how to welcome in the younger kids. It’s really cool, not just from a softball perspective but also in life, to learn how to be welcoming to people who might be nervous.”

“We play these girls in high school, so it’s really fun to get to know them outside of playing against each other,” Simmers added. “It’s a really good experience to meet new people, and I like the dynamic of how we become friends with our competitors.”

Boyertown defeated Pope John Paul II 11-1 in the teams’ lone head-to-head meeting this season, but there weren’t too many bragging rights tossed around by Neiswender, just as Simmers took it easy on Chester County head coach Dean Sullivan, whose Upper Perkiomen team lost all three of its games to PJP this season, including in the district title game.

“Sometimes softball isn’t about the win or the loss,” Neiswender said. “It’s about connections made and lessons learned. Softball creates a family, and it’s really cool to be able to grow that softball family.”

Chester County lost all three of its games on Tuesday (also to Olympic Colonial and Mercer County) and failed to make it to the final round of the tournament to be played on Wednesday, yet nobody was hanging their heads. All three losses were competitive, and Neiswender reached base in both of her plate appearances in the second game, stealing two bases and scoring one of her team’s two runs.

Rather than dwelling on the loss, Neiswender said she relished playing another Carpenter Cup with Simmers, or the fact that she got to be teammates with Perkiomen Valley pitcher Maci Strechay after PV beat Boyertown in the PAC title game before the Bears got revenge in a 17-16 district tournament thriller.

“We were joking around in the dugout about how our softball game turned into a football score,” Neiswender laughed. “You go head-to-head during the season, then you become friends.”

Simmers echoed those sentiments, saying how much she enjoys playing for Sullivan after competing against him three times during the high school season. Simmers, known for her speed on the base paths, also recalled how her PJP coaches would warn her against testing Neiswender’s arm behind the plate. On Tuesday, the trio all got to share a dugout for a third consecutive year.

Each year they play against and with one another brings along with it more mutual admiration and respect.

“Coach Sullivan is so competitive, which makes me love playing against him, and then I come here and find out he feels the same way about me,” Simmers said. “And Kyra, I remember playing her in the Boyertown game, and my coaches told me to wait to run because this catcher has an insane arm. She can also steal bases, she’s fast, she’s a fierce competitor — I love playing with her. Just an all-around great person to look up to.”

“She’s a very positive human,” Neiswender said of Simmers. “Such a great teammate who will pick you up if you’re down while at the same time pushing you because she wants to win. Both of us have that in common as teammates in that we push people but also can be a shoulder to lean on if you make a mistake or an error. Don’t dwell on it, just put it behind you and keep moving forward.”

For his part, Sullivan marveled at how far Neiswender and Simmers have come as players and leaders.

“Their confidence is awesome,” he said. “Coming together like this is pretty cool and seeing all the friendships they’ve made. They’re good players and athletes and it’s been nice having them these past three years. They’re good kids, and I couldn’t be happier with those two. Talent-wise, there’s nobody better in the PAC.”

Unfortunately 2024 represented Neiswender and Simmers’ final Carpenter Cup experience together. Neiswender has verbally committed to continue her softball career at Lehigh University, and the Carpenter Cup does not allow college-committed players to participate. Simmers is unsigned as of now, though that will likely change over the next calendar year.

So although Chester County went 0-for-3 on Tuesday, that’s not what either of these players will remember going forward. And, on top of that, they still have their senior seasons as high school competitors to look forward to.

“You’re only going to learn and get better from this,” Simmers said. “The experience teaches you hard work, determination and how to be a leader, even if you’re not one coming into it. I wouldn’t be the player I am without these games. I’ve really enjoyed coming here every year and playing some really good softball. It only helps you grow, win or lose.”

“I might ask if I can come back next year to help the girls as a manager or something,” Neiswender added. “It’s been great. Every time Coach Dean asked me to play, it was an automatic yes. The girls always make it so much fun. It’s been a great three years, and I’m kind of sentimental that it’s coming to an end. It’s been a full-circle moment and a great time that I wouldn’t trade at all. I’m glad I said yes as a freshman, because it’s been a blast.”