Canon-McMillan’s best adding up to wins
Canon-McMillan is of the philosophy that if you do your best, then the rest will take care of itself. It’s worked so far for the Lady Macs on the softball diamond. After their come-from-behind victory, 11-4, against Bethel Park, the Lady Macs are 5-1 overall. They share the Section 4-AAAA lead with Baldwin. Both were undefeated at 3-0 heading into this week’s action.
“Our expectations are not much different than in the past,” said C-M field general Michelle Moeller, who led the Lady Macs to a state title in 2013 and back-to-back WPIAL championships in 2012 and 2013.
“Play as a team,” she began. “Enjoy each battle. Aim for another section title and playoff run,” Moeller continued. “Learn from past mistakes going forward and bring your best self to the field each day,” she concluded.
It was not until the seventh inning that the Big Macs strutted their best stuff against the Lady Hawks. Behind, 3-0, they exploded for 11 runs. Linda Rush, Julia Ciotti and Kayla Hopkins each drove in a pair during the uprising.
For the game, Hopkins banged out four hits in five plate appearances, including two doubles. Rush and Brittney Crawford both tagged three hits. Canon-Mac pounded out 20 hits in the contest.
“It was nice to see that they didn’t give in and kept working at bats,” Moeller said. “Twenty hits is certainly a big day.”
Including the win against BP, which dropped to 2-2 in the section and 5-3 overall, Moeller is pleased with her team’s progress. She is most satisfied with the team effort that has produced the five wins in six outings.
“It’s hard to single out just one person right now as they are all contributing on different days, on the same days as well as working as a team,” she said.
While Rush leads the team in batting, Moeller noted, she has many players currently batting over .400. That is how balanced the squad is.
On the mound, the Lady Macs are evenly matched, too. Kaylee Gohring earned the win against BP. A senior, Gohring shares pitching duties with Abbi Michelucci, a sophomore. Both have started games for C-M and both have appeared in relief.
“We’re not asking them to be strikeout pitchers. Just looking for control, which they are both accomplishing so far,” explained Moeller. “They were untested at the varsity level prior to this season so we will continue to monitor and adjust accordingly as the season and their growth progresses. I’m pleased with the job they have done so far,” Moeller added.
With a powerful line-up the Lady Macs have done the job against opposing pitchers. Leftfielder Kayla Hopkins and second baseman Brittney Crawford set the table for Rush, coming out of the No. 3 slot in the batting line-up.
A four-year starter at shortstop, Rush boasts a career batting average over .500. After batting .473 as a freshman, she posted averages of .571 and .577 the past two seasons. The Drexel recruit has driven in 97 career runs and is batting .729 this season with seven RBIs, four from a grand slam.
After Rush, there is no relief for opposing hurlers as Kirsten Rush, no relation, follows. In the field, she plays the hot corner at third base. Katelyn Greaves anchors the opposite corner at first base and Ciotti catches. MaKenzie Hollie served as the designated player against BP while Ashley Buggey and Kylah Kubickzi joined Hopkins in the outfield. Buggey plays right; Kubiczki in left.
The Lady Macs have also benefited from the depth provided by Lauren Naylo, Erica Haught and Bailey Nickles.
The Lady Macs, who were scheduled to play Baldwin and Carrick at the top of the week, host Peters Township at 4:15 p.m. April 14 at North Strabane Field. After non-section games with West Allegheny and Waynesburg Central, Canon-Mac hosts Mt. Lebanon April 19 and visits Upper St. Clair April 21 in upcoming league games. The rematch with Bethel Park is set for 4:15 p.m. April 28 at North Strabane Field.