Almanac announces softball Diamond Dozen
Although no championships were produced during the spring scholastic softball season, the 2016 campaign proved successful for plenty of local teams, particularly Chartiers-Houston and Canon-McMillan.
The Buccaneers reached the WPIAL finals, and the Lady Macs sported the best record (16-4) and shared a section banner. Hence, it comes as no surprise that those two squads dominate The Almanac’s Diamond Dozen list.
Linda Rush tops the list as Most Valuable Player(see related story). She is joined by teammates Brittney Crawford and Kylah Kubicski, while Kayla Anderson, Kaitlyn Dittrich and Macie Kesneck headline the selections from Char-Houston.
Sacrifices enabled the Lady Macs to succeed this season. They tied Baldwin for the Section 4-AAAA banner and fell one game shy of challenging for a PIAA berth, falling in the WPIAL quarterfinals to rival North Allegheny.
Crawford made the biggest concessions. A “true” outfielder, she moved to second base to help solidify the infield. She owned a .932 fielding average.
Already committed to St. Francis University, the rising senior also stood out at the plate. She batted .400 with six doubles and three round trippers. She drove in 15 and scored 25 runs.
“Brittney contributed offensively, and we need her to continue to do that next year. We look for her to be more confident coming into her senior season,” said C-M skipper Michele Moeller. “She’ll set the work ethic and tone for our program.”
After missing her freshman year due to a broken wrist, Kubicski has set the tone for the future. The center fielder, like Crawford and Rush, earned first-team all-section acclaim. In addition to Diamond Dozen status, she is also The Almanac’s Rookie of the Year.
A quick learner, the rising junior batted 500 with 11 RBI and 20 runs scored to go along with a .958 fielding average.
“We started the year trying to see if she could bunt/slap from the left side due to her speed, but Kylah made an adjustment to her stance in the batter’s box from the right-hand side and ended up being one of our best batters,” said Moeller. “We’re looking for her to be more confident going forward and would like to move her up in the lineup, and get her on base early and often.”
Regarding her defense, Moeller added, “Kylah has great range in the outfield and a gun for an arm.”
Great arms at C-H
Great guns. Chartiers-Houston’s got ’em, as Kaitlyn Dittrich dominated the mound, Kayla Anderson contained the base thieves and Macie Kesneck swept the bases.
This spring, Kesneck found a home at third base. Though a new position for her, she handled the move and expectations quite well, says C-H manager Tricia Alderson. “Macie played very consistently,” she said. “She did a super job defensively and offensively.”
At the plate, she led the team in several categories, including batting average (.430), hits (34) and runs scored with 33. She drilled four doubles and one triple, and drove in 23 runs.
“Macie was often our offensive spark in games, as she made things happen when she was on base,” Alderson said. “With one more season left, we know she will work hard to improve all aspects of her game. We look for her to hit for more power next year and continue to improve defensively.”
Though her pitching stats did not equal her numbers from a year ago, Dittrich demonstrated marked improvement. The sophomore ace struck out 96 and owned a 3.33 ERA and a 14-8 record.
“Kaitlyn really grew and improved as a pitcher from last season,” said Alderson. “She did a nice job spinning the ball more this year and had a better changeup as well. We are excited for Kaitlyn to continue to work on her speed and perfect her pitches for her junior and senior years.”
Expectations are that Dittrich will improve at the plate. She batted .382 with four doubles. She drew 10 walks and drove in 22 runs.
“Kaitlyn showed big improvements in her hitting,” Alderson said. “Last year, she did not bat. This year, she worked very hard to get into the hitting lineup and did a great job offensively. With continued work, Kaitlyn is only going to improve as a hitter. She has the potential to hit for a lot of power in the future.”
The future also belongs to Kayla Alderson. The rising senior is a three-year starter at three different positions. This spring, she moved to catcher.
“It was an easy transition,” said Coach Alderson, “because Kayla is willing to play wherever we need her. She did a fantastic job.”
Alderson also did well at the plate. She batted .386 with seven doubles and two homers. She drove in a team-high 29 runs and tied for second with 11 walks. She scored 25 runs.
“Offensively, Kayla was very productive in the cleanup spot,” Alderson said. “Kayla was also a very positive leader for our team, and we are looking for Kayla to have her best year yet next season as she finishes out her career.”
Trio shines for BP
Bethel Park may be the team of the future, but some of the team’s younger players had seasons worthy of recognition. In addition to earning all-section first-team honors, Carolyn Cook and Abby Joyce, along with Haley Reid, gained Almanac all-star recognition. The trio helped the Lady Hawks finish tied for runner-up honors in Section 4-AAAA with Peters Township. Both posted 7-5 records. BP finished 12-7 overall after losing to Latrobe in the WPIAL playoffs.
A sophomore, Joyce led the team on the mound and at the plate. She batted .517 and posted a 7-5 pitching record.
“Abby batted with confidence and we look forward to her getting stronger next season,” said BP manager Heather Scott.
Joyce’s batterymate, Cook, will also benefit from her year of experience. The rising senior batted .340 and settled the pitchers, not to mention the squad.
“She kept the team together,” said Scott. “Carolyn was a true leader both on and off the field. We look forward to her leadership next season.”
Reid, however, has been lost to graduation.
“We will miss her next season,” said Scott. “She is very consistent in her play. Haley has been a great leader for us the past three seasons.”
Reid, who was a second-team all-section selection, batted .419 and started at shortstop for the Lady Hawks.
Duo repeat
Sara Jubas and Lexi Wagner repeat as Almanac all-stars.
A shortstop, Jubas batted .729 for South Fayette, which finished runner-up to West Allegheny in Section 2-AAA with an 8-2 slate. Overall, the Lions finished 14-5.
“Sara set the tone by her work ethic,” said SF manager Olet Stasko. “She always is willing to learn and do what she needs to, to take her game to the next level, while pushing the team to be the best they can be. We are expecting great things from her next year,” Stasko added of his rising senior.
Wagner also will be back for Seton-La Salle, which finished 9-8 overall and fourth in Section 4-A. She made the move from outfield to infield this spring, starting at shortstop for the Rebels.
Defensively, she turned four double plays, had 34 putouts and 31 assists. Offensively, Wagner batted .469 with eight doubles, two triples and six homers. She drove in 25 runs and owned a .643 on-base percentage.
“Lexi gave her team confidence and a chance to win every game with her plays on the field and with her consistent bat,” said her coach, Cindy Beauregard. “With her great work ethic, Lexi will be determined to be a great leader on both offense and defense next year.”
Pilch tops for BC
Little doubt Lexi Pilch had an all-star season at Bishop Canevin. Her numbers do not lie. A shortstop, she batted .610, clubbed 11 doubles and socked three triples. She drove in 16 runs and scored 21. She also swiped six bases for the Crusaders, who finished runner-up to Serra Catholic in Section 5-A.
“Lexi easily was our team MVP,” said Karen Seitz, her coach. “She not only played shortstop but had to fill in as a pitcher. Her stats are ridiculous, and her leadership was off the charts.”
Coach of the year
Despite a rough start, Peters Township battled its way to a playoff spot. The Indians tied Bethel Park for second place in the rugged Section 4-AAAA and earned its first postseason berth in two years. Peters finished 11-7 overall.
While she started as an assistant, Jessica Weigold moved into the manager position after the head coach resigned for health reasons after three games. Weigold took a young team, starting at times six freshmen, to the WPIAL playoffs. They won three key games down the stretch against rivals Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair to seal their spot.
For her efforts, weathering the ups and downs of a chaotic situation and season, Weigold has been named Almanac Coach of the Year.
Honorable Mention
Among the players receiving honorable mention recognition are:
• Lainey Drahusz from Bethel Park. This sophomore earned all-section honors as a designated hitter. She batted .424 for the Lady Hawks. “Lainey has been a great addition to our team,” said Heather Scott. “She plays with a positive attitude. Nothing gets her down.”
• Haley Pilch, Caroline Clarke, Alex Parra from Bishop Canevin.
A sophomore, Pilch started at third base for the Crusaders. She batted .476 with eight doubles and a homer. She scored 22 runs and drove in 13. “She will only get better,” said Karen Seitz.
A senior, Clarke excelled at second base. She batted .438 with 10 RBI and 20 runs scored. With 16 walks, her on-base percentage swelled to .729. “Caroline has flown under the radar for four years,” Seitz said. “She is so good at everything she does.”
Parra also had an “outstanding year,” says Seitz. The catcher batted .364 with a .717 on-base percentage. She scored 16 runs and drove in a team-high 25 RBI.
• Kayla Hopkins and Kirsten Rush from Canon-McMillan.
A rising senior, Hopkins has been a two-year starter for the Lady Macs in left field. She batted .453 with six doubles, one triple and a home run. She drove in 22 and scored 27 runs.
“Kayla had a great attitude,” said C-M manager Michele Moeller. “She has been a top hitter for us and our lead-off this year. She is another player we will look to set the tone for the upcoming season. She has a great work ethic.”
A recent graduate, Rush started two seasons at third base. She won defensive MVP honors in the past. “She solid and knows the position well,” Moeller said of Rush, who replaced standout Olivia Lorusso, a star today at Robert Morris University. “She will be tough to replace immediately.”
Rush’s bat will also be difficult to replace. She batted over .300 consistently in her high school career. This spring, Rush owned a .382 average with six doubles, one triple and three homers. She drove in 19 and scored 15 runs.
Resilience is Rush’s trademark. She started as a designated player in 2013 but had two knee surgeries her sophomore year before returning to the line-up. “She has a strong work ethic. Kirsten worked hard to return to the diamond,” Moeller said.
• Brittany Blumen-Chartiers-Houston. This junior centerfielder batted .351 with two doubles and 11 RBI. A first-year starter and No. 2 hitter, she ranked second on the club with 27 hits and 26 runs scored.
“Brittany played very well. As a speedy lefty, she was able to bunt and slap her way to a good average even though she is a natural righty,” said Tricia Alderson. “She has been working on this part of her game the last two seasons as a reserve, and her hard work and patience paid off this year.
“We are excited to see what Brittany will do next year as a senior. If she keeps working on being able to swing away as well as bunt and slap, it will add a whole new dimension to her game and make her even harder to defend.”
• Maddie Kresak, Brooke Lapia and Amanda Gross from Chartiers Valley.
A first baseman, Kresak batted .417 with nine doubles and a triple. The four-year starter drove in 18, tops on the team. “Maddie did a nice job at first base and she always seemed to come up with a timely hit,” said Jeff Reicoff.
Bound for Washington & Jefferson College to play softball, Lapia played third base for the Colts. She batted .395 with four doubles and a triple. She walked seven times, drove in 12 runs and scored 12.
A junior, Gross batted .323 with four doubles. She drove in eight and scored 11 runs. Of her skills as a centerfielder, Jeff Reicoff said, “Amanada can really track a ball down. She is very good defensively. She has a great attitude and she is always hustling.”
• Danielle Malizio, Catie Rogan and Megan Dietrick from Mt. Lebanon.
While Malizio earned first-team all-section honors as an outfielder, Rogan and Dietrick were named to the second team as batterymates. Rogan pitched and Dietrick caught for the Blue Devils, who finished 8-8 overall.
• Kyle Hartbauer from Peters Township. This rising senior pitcher ended the regular season with a 3.4 ERA while hitting .333.
“Kylie was a big reason why we made it as far as we did,” said Jess Weigold. “Kylie has something you can’t teach; heart and determination. It wasn’t always easy for her but she always found a way to get the job done. She is a true leader on and off the field.”
• Jada Simon, Alyssa Miller and Julie Curry from Seton-La Salle.
A pitcher and first baseman, Simon batted .420 with five doubles, two triples and two home runs. She drove in 24 and owned a .483 on-base percentage. In 67 innings, she fanned 38. Defensively, she maintained a .92 fielding average with 28 putouts and 16 assists.
“Jada always went above and beyond for her teammates,” said Cindy Beauregard. “She worked hard and supported her team. She was one of our leaders at the plate and stayed consistent.
“As a pitcher this year, she took control of the game with confidence and stayed focused. She had some tough losses, but in the end it made her stronger. Next year, she will be a force to reckon with on the mound.”
A catcher and fill-in infielder, Miller captained the Rebels. She batted .283 with three doubles and nine RBI. She had a .464 on-base percentage and a .900 fielding average with 16 putouts and three assists.
“Alyssa always was supportive and stayed positive with her teammates,” Beauregard said. “She can transition to multiple positions with no hesitations and do what was best for the team. She continued to prove her talents as a player on and off the field this year.”
As a pitcher, Curry struck out 45 in 31 innings. She also played first base and owned a .930 fielding average. She had a .441 on-base percentage.
“Julie is a confident pitcher on the mound,” Beauregard said. “She would take control of game. She has great defensive skills that she proved while she was on the mound or playing first throughout the entire season.
“With her being a senior next year she will take the reins as a captain and be determined to lead this team and continue to bestow confidence to her teammates.”
• Bailey Kormick and Emily Bryan from South Fayette.
As a pitcher, Kormich posted a 14-5 record complete with a 2.49 ERA. She batted .237.
“Bailey led this team,” said Olet Stasko. “She stepped up to the plate (or mound) and pitched her heart out. As a captain of this team, she pushed us everyday to become better.”
A third baseman, Bryan batted .390. The senior led the team with 18 RBI. “She knew what had to be done and got it done,” said Stasko.
Players To Watch
Among the players to watch are:
• Cheyenne Hamel from Bethel Park. This sophomore batted .509 and excelled in centerfield for the Lady Hawks. “We could count on Cheyenne to bring her A game both in the field and at the plate,” said Heather Scott.
• Brenna Nolf from Bishop Canevin. In her first year of playing fast pitch, this freshman started in right field. She scored 11 runs and drove in five while maintaining a .556 on-base average. Defensively, she had 10 putouts and two assists. “The sky’s the limit for this kid,” said Karen Seitz.
• Katelyn Greaves and Abbi Michelucci from Canon-McMillan. Both are sophomores.
A two-year starter at first base, Greaves excelled defensively. She owned a .986 fielding percentage.
“She has become a specialist at picking balls out of the dirt,” said Michele Moeller. “With her varsity experience, we look for her to be a big factor in the future.”
Greaves will also be relied upon for her bat. She averaged .382 at the plate, stroking five doubles and two homers. She drove in 23 and scored 10 runs.
A pitcher, Michelucci split time on the mound with Kaylee Gohring. She emerged as the playoff starter due to a lower ERA, batting average against and small number of hard hits balls against. Though she ended the season with a loss to North Allegheny, she tossed a four-hitter in that game.
“We were very pleased with her progress during the year,” said Moeller. “We hope the playoff experience boosts her confidences as well going forward and she becomes more of a leader on the field.”
Michelucci owned a 2-2 record. She averaged 5.4 strikeouts per game. Opponents batted .243 against her.
• Jaylese Lombardi from Chartiers-Houston. This freshman right fielder batted .333 with two triples. She drove in 14 and scored 24 times, second-best on the team. She also was the Bucs’ backup pitcher.
“Jaylese did a nice job in the outfield and hitting in her first season as a varsity starter. Also being a back-up pitcher is always a hard but very important job to have,” said Tricia Alderson. “Jaylese has a lot of potential in both positions. We are hoping to see her grow and mature as a player over the next three years. We look for Jaylese to improve her power offensively as well as continue to work on her spinning pitches.”
• Sami Collura and Emily O’Connor from Chartiers Valley.
A sophomore shortstop, Collura batted .345 with four doubles and two triples. She drove in eight and scored 13 runs. “She has great potential,” said Jeff Reicoff.
A sophomore second baseman, O’Connor batted .317 with four walks, a double and a triple. She drove in seven and scored six runs.
• Jill Yeates and Kate Hondru from Peters Township. Both completed their freshmen year.
A second baseman, Yeates batted .408 and led the team in RBI with 15. She struck out only once all season.
“Jill’s is just a gamer,” said Jess Weigold. “When we were looking for a clutch hit Jill seemed to be one of the ones to find it. Looking forward to seeing what she can do in the future,” Weigand added.
A third baseman, Hondru batted .381 with 14 RBI.
“Katie was extremely valuable to the team at the plate and in the field,” Weigold said. “Kate is a student of the game, always wanting to learn and make adjustments to improve her game. With the freshman learning curve behind her, I expect Kate to be a big part of the success of this program.”
• Delaney Ging from South Fayette. A right fielder, she batted .389 for her sophomore season.
“Delaney has a great amount of talent,” said Olet Stasko. “She led with her bat; coming up with big hits in key situations this year. I look forward to what she can do next year.”
Zoe Karidis and Bailey Fialkovich from Upper St. Clair. This pair of infielders received honorable mention status on the section all-star team. Karidis is a sophomore; Fialkovich, a junior.