Seton-La Salle hurler named softball MVP
Lauren Zola unleashes a fastball against the competition during the 2014 WPIAL Class AA softball playoffs. Zola struck out 737 batters in her career, including 20 in one game this season.
Lauren Zola earned Almanac MVP honors in softball after striking out 247 batters and maintaining a 0.60 ERA this spring for Seton-La Salle, which finished third in the WPIAL and 16-2 overall.
Lauren Zola will take her game to IUP where she will major in hospitality management.
Softball sponsors showcases called Queen of Diamonds. And, in this region, Lauren Zola was royalty. In fact, the Seton-La Salle graduate was the Princess of Pitch.
During her four-year career on the mound for the Rebels, she posted a 56-10 record, complete with 32 shutouts and 10 no-hitters. She struck out 737 batters and owned a 1.34 ERA. This spring, she led the WPIAL in strikeouts with 247. In 122 innings, she allowed 11 runs and finished with a 0.60 ERA.
Zola also hurled Seton-La Salle to a third undefeated section banner. The Rebels finished third in the WPIAL and qualified for the PIAA playoffs. SLS succumbed to Martinsburg Catholic, 3-1, to finish the season at 16-2 overall.
According to Krull, Zola possessed a nice change-up, a screwball and a rise. “She can pull the trigger on most any of her pitches,” he said. “She dominated in the circle and gave us a chance to win every game.”
Zola, along with seniors such as Dani Dadig, transformed the SLS program from occasional winner to perennial playoff contender. “We were lucky just to make the playoffs before they (Zola and Dadig) arrived at Seton. Now, they have set the standard for winning a WPIAL championship. That’s how far they have turned this program around,” said Krull.
At the plate, Zola could turn the tables on opponents, too. She batted .339 with four doubles, one triple and seven RBI. She struck out only six times and swiped two bases.
One of the highlights this season occurred during a shutout win, 8-0, against Brentwood. Zola made all of the outs. She struck out 20 and caught a pop-up.
“I don’t usually think about the amount of strikeouts I throw,” said Zola. “I usually just try to have efficient pitching. But it’s good to know at the end of the game that you threw that many strikeouts.”
Zola learned to throw strikes from her sister, Chelsea, who recently graduated from Clarion after a standout career. “Whenever [Chelsea] started, I thought, ‘oh, I should pitch.’ It’s something that we could have in common,” said Zola. “When I started, I never thought I would like it as much as I did but I really developed a passion for it. It’s what I would rather spend my time doing than anything else.”
Zola inherited her athletic ability from her parents. Tim was a standout baseball and basketball player at South Hills Catholic while Carol was a swimmer and a diver at Perry High School. “They were both very good athletes,” she said.
“My father has been very influential. He’s my biggest fan. Both my parents are,” Zola added. “My dad taught me what he knew from my sister’s lessons and what he picked up from information that my coach tells me so he can help me when the coach isn’t there. It’s always nice to have him at my games because he gives me that little bit of advice or information that I need in mid-inning or throughout the game.”
Zola’s game has gone from good to great. As a freshman, she was named The Almanac’s Rookie of the Year. This year, she concluded her career as Almanac softball MVP. She also gained a spot on the all-state team.
“It feels pretty good,” she said of her selection. “I don’t usually think of all the accolades but when you consider all the talent out there, it’s a real honor.”
In addition to the Diamond Dozen, Zola is a Midwest All-Sanctioned World Series MVP and Hitter Award winner; Queen of Diamonds Showcase MVP and a member of the Team PA Cyclones AAU squad.
Off the diamond, Zola sparkled, too. During her scholastic endeavors, she was a National Honor Society student with a 3.9 GPA, cheerleader and a member of the broadcast team at school. She participated in SADD, Rebels For Life and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She also belonged to the yearbook staff.
Zola will take her game to Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She hopes to dazzle ’em on the diamond and in hospitality management.
While Zola left a legacy behind at SLS, she also offered up some sound advice to students striving to follow in her softball shoes. “Be confident in all you do,” she said. “It’s something pitchers have to do. There will be off days but you have to move on. There will also be a next day an opportunity to do something better.”