FAIRLESS HILLS, Pa. — When Conwell-Egan  beat Neshaminy, 4-3, on Wednesday, it did more than open its season with a victory in a game between two softball teams that seem surely headed for successful seasons. To the delight of what’s always been a large contingent of its fans, Conwell-Egan also unveiled its best freshman pitching prospect in nearly 20 years. Front and center McKenna Seiler, who is a member of the class of 2028 and lives in Yardley, Pa., which is part of the Pennsbury School District. Although she’s only a freshman, Seiler is clearly far above your normal high school pitcher. This is reflected by the fact she’s already a member of the Virginia Glory 18-and-under National team and owns an impressive travel ball resume at a young age. In addition to being an excellent student and having the experience of knowing what it’s like to face national competition, Seiler has several things working in her favor. One is she has the heat and has been clocked as high as 64 mph in game competition. Another is control is not an issue at all. She changes levels with her pitches and is not going to hurt herself with walks. Finally, and perhaps most importantly of all for a young pitcher, she already possesses a knee-buckling change-up. It’s not easy to see this pitch coming and her location is good down in the strike zone. If the Neshaminy game was any indication, Seiler should throw the change-up even more than she does, but those days are coming and once again remember she’s just a freshman. Veteran Conwell-Egan coach Sandy Hart is understandably reluctant to start making comparisons, but she did reply with a “yes” when asked if Seiler is one of her best freshman pitchers she’s had. That’s saying a lot because Hart should know after coaching some of the premier pitchers this area has ever seen. Conwell-Egan pitcher McKenna Seiler is congratulated by teammates after defeating Neshaminy during a Lower Bucks softball game on Wednesday afternoon in Fairless Hills, Pa. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo) The excellence of Conwell-Egan pitching dates way back, including Lois Mickles in the class of 1983. At the very big risk of forgetting somebody, after her came greats such as Donna Hensor, the Lyall sisters, Laura DeZolt, and Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the year Ashley Tobar. Following Tobar was Angel Bunner, who was arguably the greatest pitcher the Trenton area has ever seen and who later excelled at Auburn University and on the professional level. Bunner graduated from Conwell-Egan in 2007. Since then the Eagles have remained competitive and did reach a state final three years ago, but it has not been like the earlier years when it piled up over 20 Philadelphia Catholic League championships and was annually at or near the top of The Trentonian’s Area Ratings. There’s no telling how many state championships the Eagles would have won if they had been a member of the PIAA in the earlier years. When asked why she chose to come to Conwell-Egan, Seiler talked about how she likes the school and its academics. She also indicated she was somewhat aware of Conwell-Egan’s tradition of excellence in softball, particularly in the pitching department. Conwell-Egan is sure glad she did, and Seiler gives the program an opportunity to be a major player on the state level. After nearly closing the school not too long ago, Conwell-Egan is clearly on the rise, and its growth is reflected in the fact it has now risen to a Class 4A program in softball. Perhaps a long-time supporter and team scorekeeper said it best after the Neshaminy game. “I’m so happy right now I could cry,” she said. “We’ve been waiting for her for a long time.” Conwell-Egan pitcher McKenna Seiler throws to the plate against Neshaminy during a Lower Bucks softball game on Wednesday afternoon in Fairless Hills, Pa. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo) ...read more read less