Seton-La Salle, Chartiers-Houston lead softball list
Megan Kraushaar
Kassie Kesneck celebrates after scoring the first run in the WPIAL Class A softball championship game.
Sabrina Stankus
Iagnemma
Haley Reid (No. 19) slips safely into third base after tagging a triple in the first inning of Bethel Park’s 10-1 victory against Mt. Lebanon. Reid also drilled a two-run double in the sixth and a run-scoring single in the third inning.
Canon-McMillan center fielder Abby McCartney gives Michelle Moeller a high-five after slugging a two-run homer in the first inning.
Linda Rush helped anchor the Lady Macs’ defense at shortstop. The Canon-McMillan junior also drove in 38 runs and scored 40 times.
Sara Jubas
Tiny but mighty are the softball programs at Chartiers-Houston and Seton-La Salle. Grouped in Class A and AA respectively in the WPIAL, the two clubs dominated the scene this spring.
The Buccaneers finished as district runners-up. They tied Jefferson Morgan for top honors in Section 1. Both finished 9-1, but the Rockets trumped Char-Houston, 3-2, in the WPIAL final. The Bucs finished 19-4 overall after losing to West Branch, 5-2, in the PIAA tournament. Meanwhile, SLS claimed the Section 4 title with an unblemished mark of 12-0. The Rebels managed a third-place finish in the WPIAL and finished 16-2 overall after falling to Martinsburg Central, 3-1, in the PIAA tournament.
Hence it comes as no surprise that the Bucs and the Rebels dominate this year’s edition of The Almanac Diamond Dozen. SLS pitcher Lauren Zola leads the list as MVP (see related story) and is joined by her teammates Dani Dadig and Lexi Wagner on the all-star list as well as her manager, Jay Krull, who earned Coach of the Year honors. Kaitlyn Dittrich, Kassie Kesneck, Megan Kraushaar and Sabrina Stankus represent the Bucs.
Just a freshman, Wagner is already committed to the University of Pittsburgh. The outfielder garnered Rookie of the Year honors in part because she led SLS in RBI with 31 and home runs with nine. “That’s not an easy thing to do especially for a freshman,” explained SLS manager Jay Krull. Wagner also batted .446 with three doubles and a triple. She swiped six bases.
“Lexi was a big-time player for us,” Krull said. “She is a gamer. She’s very intense on the field, which is what makes her so good. I’m excited to see what she can do for us in the next three years.”
At Youngstown State University, the Penguins are excited to see what Dadig can do. Along with Zola, this recent graduate meant much to the SLS program. In fact, they changed it, said Krull. “Words cannot explain what Dani and Lauren have meant to the SLS softball progam,” he said. “We were lucky just to make the playoffs before they arrive. Now, they have set the standard for winning a WPIAL championship. That’s how far they have turned the program around.”
During her career, the Lady Rebels compiled a 56-20 overall record, including 45-1 in section play. Dadig maintained a .475 career batting average with 45 RBI and 85 stolen bases, 36 as a freshman. This spring, Dadig batted .500 with nine RBI. She socked two homers, three triples and a double and tagged a team-high 27 hits. She stuck out only once. Dadig swiped all 10 bases she attempted to steal.
“Dani just loves the game and she’s gives 100% on every single play,” Krull said. “In the playoffs she played with a badly injured ankle, which just shows you her heart and dedication. She really stepped up into the leadership role this season on and off the field, the younger players really looked up to her.”
At Char-Houston, they looked up to Kesneck and Kraushaar, both four-year starters.
A centerfielder, Kesneck batted .425. Of her 31 hits, she tagged a team-high nine doubles to go along with two triples and a homer. She led the club in RBI with 33. She scored 22 times. During the post-season, she batted 500 and drove in the most runs. In the field, she committed no errors.
“Kassie was willing to do whatever was best for the team,” manager Tricia Alderson said of her versatility. Kesneck played outfield as a freshman and sophomore and pitched as a junior. A back injury prevented her from returning to the mound this spring. “We couldn’t have asked for anything more from her.
“Offensively, she had an outstanding year. We appreciate all her hard work and dedication over the last four years but we know she will accomplish great things in the future.”
Kesneck will attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She will play softball while pursuing a career in education.
A shortstop, Kraushaar batted .434, second-best on the squad. She led the Bucs with 33 hits and 37 runs scored. She smacked five doubles, two triples and a home run. She walked a team-high nine times and drove in 11 runs.
“As our lead-off hitter, Megan did a great job,” said Alderson. “She was ideal in that position. Defensively, she made some nice plays. She was solid at short.
“What most don’t know is Megan had an injured thumb on her throwing hand and she played in pain all season. She didn’t want to miss any time her senior season. That is the type of toughness she has displayed throughout her career. We will miss having her in the line-up.”
Kraushaar takes her game to Pitt-Johnstown. She plans to become an occupational therapist.
A three-year starter, Stankus was “amazing to watch” at the plate and in the field, says Alderson. “She made so many excellent plays at third base,” Alderson added. “As our No. 2 batter she possessed tremendous speed, can swing away and can bunt consistently. Sabrina has worked hard all four years but she really stepped it up even more this season as a senior.”
Stankus batted .414 with four doubles, four triples and a homer. She ranked second on the team with 30 runs scored and 16 RBI. She walked 10 times.
Free passes, Dittrich issued infrequently as she compiled a 19-4 record on the mound. The freshman walked only 16 in 133 innings while fanning 72 batters. She surrendered only 19 earned runs and maintained a 1.00 ERA. Batters averaged .216 against her.
“Kaitlyn stepped into the circle and did a great job. She was ready and able to handle the pressure of being a varsity starter,” Alderson said of her rookie ace. “She knew her job was to throw strikes, change speeds and give us a chance to win. That’s exactly what she did each game.
“Kaitlyn knew her role and didn’t try to do too much. She allowed the seniors with experience behind her on defense do their jobs. She did a nice job of hitting her spots and spinning the ball. We look forward to her continuing to improve her speed and breaking pitches. She’s a hard worker so she will keep getting better.”
Five repeat as stars
A handful of players are making repeat appearances on the Diamond Dozen list. They are: Ashley Iagnemma and Sara Jubas from South Fayette; Abby McCartney and Linda Rish from Canon-McMillan and Bethel Park’s Haley Reid.
Iagnemma and Jubas provided a powerful 1-2 punch for the Lady Lions, who finished 13-8 overall after losing to Belle Vernon, 1-0, in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL AAA playoffs.
On the mound, Iagnemma struck out 141 batters this spring. A four-year starter, she finished with 562 career strikeouts. Offensivley, she batted .404 for the Lady Lions.
“Ashley has been able to proved consistent pitching for us the past four years,” said Vic Iagnemma, who doubles as Ashley’s dad and SF manager. “She has worked very hard and has made many sacrifices to reach the level of pitching she has. She has great velocity and several pitches that kept batters guessing. She also has the strength physically and mentally, becoming more focused as the game goes on.”
While Iagnemma goes on to play for Point Park University, Jubas returns for two more seasons. She batted .551 in the lead-off spot for the Lions.
“Sara is an excellent hitter and even better base runner,” said Iagnemma. “SHe is a base-running threat to all opposing teams.”
To opposing teams, McCartney and Rush were threats to clear the bases. The duo guided the Lady Macs to a 13-5 overall record, complete with a shared section banner with Baldwin and Bethel Park as well as a WPIAL quarterfinal playoff appearance.
A senior, McCartney socked four homers and drilled six doubles. She drove in 25 runs while batting .606. The all-section performer has been a four-year player and started on the Lady Macs’ PIAA state championship club in 2013 as well as three WPIAL finalist teams.
“Since her freshman year, Abby has been a consistent and team leader offensively and defensively. Very versatile defensively,” added C-M manager Michele Moeller. “She is one of the most well rounded athletes I’ve coached displaying speed, power and finesse.”
McCartney will continue her career at Robert Morris University.
Though just a junior, Rush is committed Drexel. She followed up a freshman year of batting .467 with 21 RBI with a sensational sophomore season with 48 hits for a .571 average. She drove in 38 and scored 40 runs as the Lady Macs competed in their third straight district final. This spring, Rush batted .577 with three doubles. She smashed 10 homers and drove in 30 runs. At shortstop, she maintained a .924 fielding average.
“Linda is an extremely gifted athlete,” Moeller said. “She attacks the ball offensively more aggressively than most. She has a great arm at short, but has some room to grow there as well, which is scary for opposing teams in the sense that she hasn’t even hit her peak offensively or defensively.”
At Bethel Park, Reid hit her stride as she led the Hawks to their first section banner since 2001. For the second season in a row, the junior led BP in batting, with a .434 average, and in triples. “Haley is a hard worker and continues to get better,” said manager Heather Scott, who was honored as Section 4, Quad-A Coach of the Year.
Duo completes list
Despite suffering a season-ending injury, Morgan Crawford was not only one of Bethel Park’s better players but the best third baseman in Section 4-AAAA. She earned first-team, all-section acclaim. At the plate, she batted .636.
“Morgan was flawless at third until she was injured,” said Scott. “She was akey player to our success in the first half of the season.”
At Chartiers Valley, Alex Lawrence keyed the Colts’ success. They qualified for the WPIAL AAA playoffs out of Section 2 and finished 8-6 overall after losing to Blackhawk in the post season. The senior third baseman led the team with a .550 batting average. She smacked eight doubles and two homers. Lawrence also drove in 17 runs.
“Alex had a great season hitting and was very steady in the field,” said CV manager Jeff Reicoff. “She always seemed to come up with a timely hits for us. She will be hard to replace.”
Honorable mention
Among the players garnering honorable mention status are:
• Jess Cook, Taylor Andres, Rachel Albert, Julia Sherwin, Shelby Reid and Jordan Porzio from Bethel Park.
As a starting pitcher, Cook posted a 6-1 record. She batted .326 and earned second-team all-section acclaim. “Her positive attitude helped lead the team to such a successful season,” said BP manager Heather Scott. “Jess not only pitched but she stepped up and play first and third base. She did an excellent job no matter where she had to play.”
As a starting pitcher, Andres registered a 5-5 record. At the plate, she batted .333. Plus, she played first base when she didn’t pitch. Andres earned all-section honors as a pitcher. “Taylor showed great composure on the mound,” said Scott. “She worked really hard throughout the season,” Scott said. “She was one of the most positive and funny athletes that I have ever coached.”
• Kylee Sonson from Bishop Canevin. This senior pitcher hurled the Crusaders to a third-place finish in the WPIAL. After falling to Chartiers-Houston in the semifinals, Canevin rebounded and earned a PIAA berth with a win over Frazier, 3-2, in the consolation contest. Canevin finished 9-7 overall after losing to Cochranton in the first round of the state tournament. Sonson proved the Crusaders’ ace. She won all six of her team’s league game and racked up 66 strikeouts during the regular season.
• Tara Fowler, Taylor Bruno, Kirsten Rush, Kayla Hopkins and Brittney Crawford from Canon-McMillan.
The ace on the mound, Fowler posted a 13-5 record, complete with 54 strikeouts. She also defended her position well, maintaining a .958 fielding percentage. At the plate, the senior batted .392 with three doubles and 12 RBI.
A senior, Bruno fielded .933 in right. She batted .408 with four doubles, one triple and a homer. She drove in 14 runs.
A junior, Rush batted .347 with two doubles and two homers. She drove in 10 runs. At third base, she maintained a .943 fielding average.
A sophomore left fielder, Hopkins batted .500 with six doubles and 14 RBIs.
A sophomore second baseman, Crawford smashed three doubles and clubbed four home runs. She drove in 21 runs and batted .456.
• Jessica Blumen and Casey Craig from Chartiers-Houston.
A senior, Blumen batted .475, tops on the team. She ranked third in hits with 29. She scored 17 runs and drove in 15. After starting in left field last year, Blumen moved to second base and helped the Bucs turned several double plays. “She made some phenomenal plays in the field,” said Tricia Alderson. “Offensively, she was very fast and she was able to swing away and bunt to get on base consistently.” Blumen will continue her career at Washington and Jefferson College.
A senior, Craig had a successful season after losing the 2014 campaign because of shoulder surgery. A two-year starter behind the plate, she helped guide a rookie pitcher on the mound for the Bucs. “Not too many teams stole on Casey and when they tried, she was right on target with her throws,” Alderson explained of Craig’s defensive abilities. “At the plate, she played very well, too,” she added. Craig batted .373 with nine doubles, two triples and a homer. She drove in 25, scored 15 runs and walked a team-high 17 times. Craig will attempt to walk on at Coastal Carolina.
• Madison Zimmer, Miranda Griffith, Maddisen Kresak and Brooke Lapia from Chartiers Valley.
On the mound, Zimmer posted an 8-6 record. She struck out 45 and walked only 12 batters in 82 innings of work. The senior owned a 1.70 ERA. Offensively, the three-year starter batted .386 with 10 RBI. “She was a great team leader,” said CV manager Jeff Reicoff. “The team really rallied around her.”
Griffith possesses a strong arm in right field and plays the game right, says Reicoff. “She always hustles and stays positive,” he added. The sophomore batted .444 with a team-high eight doubles and 19 runs scored.
A junior first baseman, Kresak batted .361 with two doubles. She drove in seven and scored 11 runs.
A junior catcher, Lapia batted .355 with 10 RBI.
• Lauren McMillan and Bri Fischer. This duo led Keystone Oaks to a 5-5 record in Section 2-AAA and a 7-6 overall mark. McMillan was the Golden Eagles’ ace. She fanned 85 batters and won seven games. A senior, Fischer impressed opposing coaches with her defensive exploits at second base.
• Alyssa Smith, Jessica Gordon and Sarah Rogan of Mt. Lebanon.
A center fielder, Smith batted .465. She maintained an .806 fielding percentage.
A second baseman, who also could catch, Gordon batted .364. She had a .947 fielding average.
A first baseman, Rogan earned second-team honors on the Section 4 all-star squad. She batted .270 with a .971 fielding percentage.
• Carlyn Konopka, Kellyn Perich, Lindsay McKnight, Molly Campbell and Bri Smith from Peters Township.
A co-captain, Konopka averaged seven strikeouts per game as a pitcher. When not on the mound, she played left field. The Mercyhurst recruit batted .345 with a.582 slugging percentage. The senior drove in 14 and scored 19 runs.
“Carly’s an exceptional athlete and player,” said PT manager Rob Bowers. “She demands excellence from herself and teammates. Her intensity and determination are contagious. She’s never satisfied with her performance and this is what drives her and teammates to be better players.
A co-captain, Perich averaged 8.5 strikeouts per game as a pitcher. She also played centerfield for the Indians. She batted .321 with a .415 slugging percentage The Gannon prospect drove in nine and scored 13 runs. The four-year starter owned a .967 fielding percentage.
“Kellyn is such a versatile player,” Bowers said. “She’s a leader by example. She’s so solid as a player that you just feel comfortable putting her anywhere on the field. If you needed to create a list of attributes that would define a great player, it would be easy, just watch Kellyn play,” he added.
A co-captain, McKnight excelled at shortstop for the Indians. She onwed a .340 slugging percentage with nine RBI and 17 runs scored. The three-year starter will play at John Carroll University in the fall.
“Lindsay solidified the infield again this year,” Bowers said. “She’s another one of my players who works hard and is very demanding of herself and strives for perfection. I’m lucky to have players that are so self-motivated. She’s another one of my players who lead by example with her work ethic, integrity, and teamwork.”
A co-captain, Campbell maintained a .920 fielding percentage at first base. The three-year starter had a .333 on-base percentage and drove in five runs.
“Molly has a swagger about her that is unique,” Bowers said. “She carries herself with integrity, plays with intensity, demands perfection of herself, has an exceptional work ethic, yet she puts the team at ease with her comedy, mischief, and clowning around. She’s hilarious,” he added enthusiastically. “Molly is a great mentor to her teammates. She’s so solid at her position and as a coach, you could see her self-confidence and determination motivate the team.”
Players to watch
Among the players to watch are these up-and-coming stars:
• Carolyn Cook. This Bethel Park sophomore started the season as a left fielder but moved to catcher to fill the void caused by an injury. “She did a great job behind the plate,” said Heather Scott. “Carolyn is a positive player. She always found a way to keep the team motivated.” Cook batted .292 on offense.
• Katelyn Greaves and Julia Ciotti from Canon-McMillan. Greaves batted .333 with three doubles and three roundtrippers. The freshman first baseman drove in 19 runs and owned a .937 fielding average. A sophomore, Ciotti earned honorable mention acclaim on the Section 4 all-star team. She batted .368. Behind the plate, she owned a .980 fielding average.
• Kayla Alderson and Macie Kesneck from Chartiers-Houston. A sophomore, Alderson batted .382 with eight doubles, two triples and a homer. She drove in 29 and scored 22 runs. Moved from center field to first base this season, she maintained a .982 fielding average. “Kayla did a phenomenal job with the position switch. She was making diving plays and worked hard every day to improve her game,” said Tricia Alderson. “Offensivley, she produced. Kayla has a lot of power and we hope to see her continue to improve her numbers. She will be relied upon heavily next season to be a leader because we graduate six seniors.”
• Sami Collura and Amanda Gross from Chartiers Valley.
A freshman, Collura started every game for the Colts at shortstop. She led the team in triples with three. “She was a real threat on the bases,” said CV manager Jeff Reicoff. “She has a good future ahead of her.
A sophomore, Gross started in left field. She batted .361 and owned a .465 on-base percentage. She scored nine runs.
• Caite Rogan. This freshman pitcher won all five of Mt. Lebanon’s games. She struck out 85 batters. “She continued to develop throughout the year and showed lots of improvements,” said Lebo manager Leah Badolato. “She will continue to be an ace for us and hopefully lead our team back to the top one year.”
• Olivia Castellone, Jenny Fitzgerald and Haley Cecere from Peters Township.
A sophomore centerfielder, Castellone owned a .576 slugging percentage. SHe drove in 11 and scored 15 runs. “With her speed,” said Bowers, “Live has so much range on defense. Her bat really came alive this year, too.”
A sophomore outfielder, Fitzgerald owned a .312 slugging percentage. “Jenny has significant speed which gives her the ability to get to a ball that would typically drop in for a base hit,” Bowers said. “As a first year player, she exceeded all of my expectations, not only in the field, but with her bat as well.”
A freshman third baseman, Cecere owned a .920 fielding average. She drove in five runs. “As a freshman, Haley has significant skills,” said Bowers. “She’s always working hard improving her skills. She can play both infield and outfield. Although she has big shoes to fill next year because eight seniors graduated, I am confident in her ability to impact the success of the team at any position she plays.”
• Jada Simon and Tomasina Arrigo from Seton-La Salle. While Simon batted .367 with six doubles and nine RBI, Arrigo batted .432 with two doubles and seven RBI
• Ashley Long and Bailey Fialkovich from Upper St. Clair. A freshman outfielder, Long earned Section 4 first-team honors as a designated player for the Panthers. A sophomore shortstop, Fialkovich gained honorable mention recognition on the Section 4 all-star team.