Pennsbury Gems 18U Konrad-Waskie

THIS SATURDAY! Gems18U Konrad-Waskie will be hosting a fundraising BINGO @ Hilltop AA! $40 gets you 10 Bingo games AND unlimited beer, wine & soda (you can also purchase cocktails if that's more your style). Come out and support our athletes on their journey to 2026 NATIONALS! Tickets will be available at the door!

Happy New Year... and Happy 50th Anniversary to our Pennsbury Gems. One of the oldest continuous fastpitch organizations in the country, we will be celebrating this milestone with a series of special social media posts and activities all culminating in an in-person celebration likely on June 20 at the 46th Annual Pennsbury Invitational Tournament. Some of the highlights over these next months include...

Jan – Intro 50th Anniversary
Feb – History 101, PAA Ladies Auxiliary
Mar – History Part 2, First Travel teams
Apr – Current Gems in College
May – Current Gems in High School
Jun – Gems By-the-Numbers, Celebration Event
Jul – In the Recruiting Process; 50 year reflection
Aug – Gems: Balance of Athletics and Academics
Sep – Fall Ball and Gems Trivia
Oct – Gems: Former Player Highlights
Nov – Gems: In the classroom and community
Dec – Recap and upcoming NFCA Conference

So, check in for updates, spread the word, and get June 20 on your calendar for a celebration with current coaches, players, and yes, coaches and players from the past decades of Gems history!

Congratulations Sydney Mahan for her commitment to Ursinus College where she will be continuing her academic and athletic career! Sydney’s journey started with her mom coaching her in tee ball at EGSA through 16u with the Ewing Edge. She is currently playing with the Pennsbury Gems 18U National Team for Coach Emma Konrad and Coach Andy Waskie. Sydney’s 4.5 GPA is well suited to her academic pursuit at Ursinus College where she will major in Health Sciences, with an eye towards a future in Physical Therapy. Sydney would like to thank all her past and current coaches for guiding her through this journey. Even though I am not committed for pitching, I also want to thank my pitching coach Roy Jenderko. In her own words, “I want to thank my parents, Jen and Tony, and my twin sister, Abbie, for standing by me and pushing me to become the athlete and student I am today. Finally, I want to thank Coach Taylor Gardner for the opportunity to play with her team and continue my career.” Sydney joins Gems Maddie Rea and Anna Evanchik at UC! !

Congratulations Abbie Mahan for her commitment to play softball at Cedar Crest College! Abbie’s softball journey started in tee ball, going through Rec softball at Ewing Girls Softball Association. By 9 she was playing travel with the Ewing Edge and then for the Pennsbury Gems under Coaches Emma Konrad and Andy Waskie. Abbie's mom Jen was her coach for many years, "...from tee ball all the way to 16u it has been a great honor to play for my mom and I have learned so much from her." A serious student, Abbie’s 4.5 GPA pairs well with the expectations at Cedar Crest’s outstanding nursing program! Abbie would like to thank my parents, Jen and Tony, and twin sister, Sydney, for always supporting her through this journey on and off the field. Abbie expressed a deep sense of gratitude for her past and current coaches and fellow teammates for always lifting her up through the ups and downs of her softball experience. She offers a special thank you to her pitching Coach Roy Jenderko for always pushing her to get better and being patient while recovering from injuries! Finally, Abbie says, “Thank you again to Coach Kim Begley for giving me the opportunity to take my softball experience and talent to the next level!” Cedar Crest College is getting a heck of a student athlete! Thanks Gems and GO FALCONS!!

Congratulations to Pennsbury’s own Jaylynn Rodweller for committing to continue playing softball at Alvernia University. Jaylynn is both a teammate and fan favorite and was easy to catch college coaches’ interest anytime she was up to the plate. A natural power hitter with stats to prove it with OBP 0.490, OPS at 1.411, and SLG over 0.900, her 6 HRs in 60ABs (and only 4 SO) are indicative of her value in the lineup. She was recognized by selection to the SOL Carpenter Cup Team and SOL 2nd Team DH during her sophomore year. A gifted catcher who missed time after a knee injury, Jaylynn came over from our neighbors at Langhorne Lightning returning this Fall as a first baseman to the Pennsbury Gems 18U National Team under Coaches Andy Waskie and Emma Konrad. In addition to her on field prowess, Ms. Rodweller is a dedicated student at Pennsbury, accepted into the AU Physical Therapy Program towards a Doctorate in PT. Thank you, Coaches Andy, Emma, Frank McSherry at PHS, and especially proud parents Amanda and Roddy. The Golden Wolves and Coach Wes are getting a special player!

Congratulations Angelina Pandolfi, a 2026 Conwell-Egan Catholic graduate, for her commitment to play fastpitch softball collegiately for Arcadia University in Glenside PA. Ang will major in pre-med/biology. Ms. Pandolfi is a serious student as recognized by the CEC Chapter of the National Honors Society. Her 4.96/6.00 GPA and 15/162 Class Ranking attests to her efforts in the classroom. On the field Ang started as a freshman for Coach Hart at CEC. She’s been recognized as a Second Team All-Catholic in the PCL and as a multi-sport athlete, Second Team All Catholic in Field Hockey and team Captain her Junior year. Angelina has served her community service as the President of the CEC Ambassador Program as well as President of her school’s Travis Manion Foundation, a club organization that recognizes veterans who severed our country. Coach Sarah at Arcadia will be getting a dynamic athlete, a leader on and off the field, and a serious student in the classroom. Ang wants to thank Coach Andy for helping to position her for playing at the next level, and Coach Emma for her encouragement. Great job Angelina and to your coaches, proud parents Alyssa and Tony, family, and teammates for helping you along the way. Good luck as an Arcadia Knight!!

Congratulation to Hailey Melleski a 2026 Pennsbury High School graduate for her commitment to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) where she will study engineering. Hailey, a dynamic leftie slap hitter and a speed demon on the bases is also a shut down outfielder who can get to just about anything! In school Hailey has earned honors with the PHS Chapter of the National Honors Society. She volunteers in our community, tutors’ other students, and is well known for her positive attitude. Even her local teenage employment involves caring... teaching the elements of sensory play to children, gymnastics training for children, and of course - art. Hailey’s academic pursuits will center around the use of critical thinking and problem solving with Mechanical Engineering. Congrats Hailey, Coach Ross at WPI is getting not just a complete student athlete but also a kind, caring, community-centric young adult! Way to go coaches, parents, family, and her teammates for helping her along the way. Good luck up near Boston in September 2026!!

Folks - Coach Frank Ehrenfeld here. Testing ability to post and a posting an older team photo as a test. I apologize for not posting on this team social media site. I'm afraid that I did not know that it existed. I will repost previous commitments that have been on the general Pennsbury Gems page. Hope to see you soon at a winter workout or two.

Have your youth players come work out and learn from our team this January! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeohWUBtg2Yj30fgEwIilFG0OCkb0tbbodmw_E2oPru4SF1Yg/viewform

Homeruns by Abbie Mahan & Jaylynn Rodweller!