Jul 5, 2017 By Eleanor Bailey 14 min read

Canon-McMillan, Chartiers-Houston and Seton-La Salle dominated the softball scene in 2017. While the Lady Macs shared a sectional banner, the Buccaneers and Rebels advanced to the Final Four in the district playoffs and had strong showings in the state tournament. Their only flaw was their inability to get past South Side Beaver, which ended up in the PIAA final.

The three teams had their share of standouts, including freshman sensation Kaci Alderson, who captured MVP honors. (See related story.) So it comes as no surprise that the schools once again dominate this year’s edition of The Almanac’s Diamond Dozen.

The team was selected with the help of area managers. Their survey, statistics and games seen by the sports staff were all taken into consideration in compiling the all-star squad.

Foursome paces C-M

The Lady Macs lead the Diamond Dozen list with four selections. They helped C-M battle Baldwin to the Section 1 title in the WPIAL’s largest classification. Both finished 10-2 in the division and the Lady Macs finished 10-5 overall after their brief playoff appearance.

Kylah Kubiczki paced the Lady Macs with a team-high batting average of .500. She also led in hits with 23, singles with 18 and stolen bases with 13. Kubiczki, who scored 16 runs, tied Katelyn Greaves with four doubles and 12 RBI. The junior had 18 putouts and an assist in her second season starting in center field. An all-section selection, she committed no errors.

“Kylah has great speed and covers so much ground in the outfield,” said C-M manager Michelle Moeller. “Her arm is also extremely impressive as is her accuracy.”

Meanwhile, Greaves provided the strong glove at first base. She made 59 putouts with two assists and a .953 fielding percentage. An all-section performer, she followed Kubiczki with a .465 batting average. She scored 10 runs.

“Katelyn’s work ethic and ability to dig balls out of the dirt is second to none,” Moeller said of Greaves, who has started at first base since her freshman year. “At the plate, her average has gone up every year.”

A senior outfielder, Kayla Hopkins served as C-M’s lead-off hitter for the second year in a row and batted over .400 for the second straight season. She finished with 21 hits, including three doubles and a homer, in 50 plate appearances. She scored a team-high 23 runs and drove in nine. With five walks, she upped her on-base percentage to .491 and her slugging percentage was .540. Defensively, she had 10 putouts and an assist while committing only one error.

Additionally, she served at the team’s back-up pitcher. She won one game and struck out eight in eight innings.

“Kayla unselfishly stepped up and agreed to take pitching lessons in March to serve as a back up pitcher for us in case Abi (Michelucci) went down,” said Moeller. “She has a great work ethic on and off the field,” Moeller added of the Mt. Aloysius recruit.

A fast learner at a new position, too, was Erica Haught. She did not have any “reps” at third base but opened the season on the hot corner for the Lady Macs. “We were possibly looking to have her play second or short, but determined we needed her speed at third base,” said Moeller. “She did a great job anchoring the infield corner.”

Haught owned a .962 fielding percentage. She assisted 28 outs and added 23 putouts. She also batted .405, well over .150 points from her limited opportunities last year. Haught, who also plays volleyball and basketball at C-M, clubbed two doubles and three homers. She drove in 15 and scored 14 runs.

“Erica is all-around athlete, a great individual with a strong work ethic and good grades,” Moeller said.

Kesneck joins Alderson

Macie Kesneck was another big reason why Chartiers-Houston reached the semifinals in the PIAA playoffs and finished with an 18-5 record. The senior third baseman batted .438 with a .638 slugging percentage. She clubbed 25 singles, five doubles, four triples and a homer. She drove in 33 and scored 28 runs.

According to manager Tricia Alderson, Kesneck improved upon her stats from last year and batted clean up for the Bucs most of the season. Defensively, she had a solid season at third base.

“Macie did a really great job her senior year,” Alderson said. “She was our fastest runner and made things happen when she was on base. We are really proud of all the improvements she made over her four seasons with us. She will be tough to replace.”

Kesneck plans to try out for the softball team as a walk-on at California University of Pennsylvania this fall.

Duo guide SLS

Seton-La Salle won the Section 1-AA title, finished third in the WPIAL, reached the quarterfinals in the PIAA and posted a 13-6 overall record due in part to the play of Jada Simon and Lexi Wagner.

A junior, Simon picked up nine wins on the mound and was undefeated at 6-0 in section action. She struck out 78 in 87.67 innings of pitching and compiled a 2.95 ERA. She fielded her position well, making 28 putouts and assisting on 24 more. She helped turn four double plays and owned a .929 fielding percentage.

Offensively, she had a hit in every game, collecting 32 in 64 at bats for a .500 average. She drove in 22 and scored 18 runs. Simon smacked 10 doubles, two triples and three home runs. She also stole five bases.

“Jada had an amazing year,” said manager Cindy Beauregard.

“She holds her teammates to the highest standard. She believes in them and wants the best for the team. She sees her teammates potential, will give them confidence to believe they have the ability to get the job done. Jada wears her heart on her sleeve and you will always know how she feels.”

“My coaching staff and I are also impressed with Jada’s work ethic. She always asks for extra gym time to work on her pitching. She also works diligently on her hitting and is always trying to improve every facet of her game. This year, she learned a new pitch which we immediately put into the rotation, and it increased her ground outs and strikeouts during the year.

“Jada has character. She always has a story, something off the wall to say that just makes everyone smile. She knows how important hard work is but she also knows how important it is just to have fun while playing the game.”

SLS opponents don’t have fun when facing Wagner. The Pitt recruit, who owns a 3.8 GPA, dominated the diamond defensively and offensively.

As a shortstop, she was involved in seven double plays. She had 36 putouts and 31 assists.

“After switching her position last year from outfield to infield, she reduced her errors and always came up with the big play in the moments when a defensive stop was needed,” Beauregard said.

Offensively, Wagner smacked eight home runs and drilled nine doubles in 19 games. She accounted for 32 Runs and drove in 32.

“Lexi always strives for perfection,” Beauregard said. “She is the type of player who could have an amazing performance but will always find something she feels she could have done better every game. Her work ethic is off the charts,” Beauregard said.

“And, her leadership skills have continued to blossom. She has learned to set an example for her younger teammates and worked on her communication with her teammates. We gave her the task of being the leader on the field communicating the defensive plays to her teammates.

A rising senior, Wagner is expected to excel again next spring. “We are expecting great things, continued growth in her skills, and improved performance as she starts her final campaign,” Beauregard added. “She will finish her high school career strong.

Two star for BC

Bishop Canevin experienced success this season thanks to the efforts of center fielder Clare McMahon and catcher Alex Kopec. The duo helped the Crusaders finish runner-up to Leechburg in Section 3-A.

McMahon led the Crusaders with a .641 batting average. She maintained a .714 on-base percentage and an .821 slugging average. She drove in 13 runs and scored 21 times. She walked nine times and swiped a team-high 13 bases.

“Clare didn’t just bat over .600,” noted Canevin manager Karen Seitz. “She played flawless in the outfield, batted lead-off and caused havoc on the bases.”

Kopec contained that havoc. She excelled behind the plate for the Crusaders. Offensively, she batted .536 with a .750 slugging percentage and .698 on-base average. She walked a team-high 13 times and drilled six doubles.

“Alex not only batted well for us she was an outstanding defensive catcher and a great leader,” said Seitz.

Two complete unit

Katie Rogan of Mt. Lebanon and Sara Jubas from South Fayette round out the Diamond Dozen.

A junior, Rogan excelled on the mound and helped the Blue Devils reach the playoffs. She fanned 106 batters and maintained a 2.22 ERA. While she owned a .984 fielding percentage, Rogan also batted .326 for Lebo.

Jubas completed her scholastic career with a .562 batting average. The Lions’ No. 4 hitter drove in 28 runs, crushed five homers, smashed 11 doubles and tagged three triples. She also swiped 11 bases. At shortstop, she maintained a .927 fielding average. She will continue her career at James Madison.

Honorable mention

Players garnering honorable mention status on the all-star squad include:

• Carolyn Cook, Ashley Burford and Rachel Hankin from Bethel Park.

A senior second baseman, Cook batted .375.

A senior outfielder, Burford batted .349.

A junior shortstop, Hankin batted .385 for the Hawks.

• Alana Losego from Bishop Canevin. She batted .472 with 22 runs and 25 RBI. With seven doubles, six triples and a homer, her slugging percentage swelled to .887.

“Alana was great at the plate with so many RBI,” said manager Karen Seitz. “She also was very aggressive on the bases.”

• Brittany Crawford-This senior was the last link with Canon-McMillan’s state championship club. She finished her career batting .396 with 15 RBI and 13 runs scored. With four doubles and two homers, her slugging percentage soared to .604. Defensively, she had 39 putouts and 16 assists to go along with a .932 fielding percentage.

• Kayla Alderson, Kasey Scears, Kaitlyn Dittrick, Jessica Ford, Jaylese Lombardi-Chartiers-Houston

A four-year starter, Alderson played four different positions during her career, settling in right field this season.

“Kayla is one of the most unselfish players we have ever coached and was always willing to do what was best for the team,” said manager Tricia Alderson. “Moving her to right made our defense stronger and also gave us a quality back-up catcher. Kayla was also an important leader for our team and we will certainly miss her positivity and dedication.”

The Marietta College recruit batted .468 with seven doubles, three triples and three homers. She drove in 16 and scored a team-high 37 runs.

A sophomore catcher, Scears batted .409 with three doubles, two triples and a homer. She drove in 18 and scored 26 runs.

“Kasey had a tremendous season,” Alderson said. “She worked extremely hard in the off-season to prepare to be the starting catcher and she made such an impact both in the field and at the plate.

“Kasey was the best catcher in our section in our opinion and did her very best catching during the playoff run. Offensively, she had a fantastic year. She was able to hit with a lot more power this season. We look forward to having her for two more seasons and expect her to continue to be a hard working leader on the team.

A junior pitcher, Dittrich posted a 12-5 record with two saves. She struck out 65 batters in 83 innings

“Kaitlyn had a nice season,” Alderson said. “She has been battling some arm issues over the past year, so we were able to give her needed rest and keep her innings pitched down during the regular season. She responded so well to sharing the pitching time and pitched successfully overall in the playoffs. She will be working to stay healthy and to continue to improve her pitches in the off-season. We look for her to be a positive team leader as a senior.”

A junior, Ford served as a designated hitter and first baseman for the Bucs. She batted .355 with a .613 slugging percentage thanks to eight doubles, a triple and two homers. She drove in 23 and scored 18 runs.

“Jessica really came on this season offensively,” Alderson said. “She is a strong kid, and we always knew she had the potential to hit for power.

“Things definitely started to click for her at the plate and she was a tough out. We are excited for Jessica to make her senior year her best yet.”

A sophomore, Lombardi moved from right to left field this spring. She batted over .300 with 11 RBI and runs.

“Jaylese had a really great season batting and fielding,” Alderson said. “She is one of the hardest working players on the team and is always willing to put in extra time to make herself and the team better. As she continues to mature as a player and build confidence, the sky is the limit for her.”

• Megan Dietrick and Rachel Lee from Mt. Lebanon.

A junior catcher, Dietrick batted .365. She caught five stealing and owned a .984 fielding percentage.

A sophomore switch hitter, Lee batted .367. She had a .900 fielding percentage.

• Jillian Yates and Kathryn Hondru-Though Peters Township posted a 7-7 season, this duo earned rave reviews from opposing coaches, thus gaining honorable mention recognition.

• Bailey Fialkovich from Upper St. Cair. This senior second baseman maintained a .429 slugging percentage and a .930 fielding average as a four-year starter for the Panthers.

Two share ROTY

Youth ruled the diamond and no more was that evident than at Bethel Park and Bishop Canevin as freshmen Shayna Postler and Taylor Lokaitis dominated at key positions in softball. Thus, they share Rookie of the Year honors.

An all-section performer, Postler started behind the plate for the Hawks. She batted .511 with a .611 slugging percentage thanks to three doubles, a triple and a home run.

“As a freshmen at the catcher spot, Shayna came in and played with confidence,” said BP manager Heather Scott. “She was a lead off hitter, that produced many hits. Shayna has a bright future if she continues to work hard.”

Meanwhile, Lokaitis handled the hot corner for the Crusaders and batted in the No. 3 slot in the order. She averaged .435 with an .870 slugging perentage and a .544 on-base percentage, thanks to seven walks. Of her 20 hits, four went for doubles, five for triples and two for homers. She swiped seven bases, scored 22 times and drove in 10 runs.

“Taylor was outstanding, particularly with all those extra base hits,” said Karen Seitz. “She got stronger as the year went on and has a bright future for us.”

Players to watch

Among the players to watch include:

• Lindsay Schmidt. This freshman excelled as Canon-McMillan’s designated player. She drove in a team-high 27 runs, slugged four homers, including a grand slam, and drilled five doubles.

“Lindsay is a strong outfielder,” said manager Michelle Moeller. “Since we had other strong upperclassmen outfielders she found her way into our lineup through the DP slot and excelled in many pressure situations.”

• Karlyn Bayer-This freshman played first base and pitched for Chartiers-Houston. At the plate, she drove in 16 and scored 12 runs. She struck out 30 in 51 innings, owned a 3.53 ERA and a 6-0 record.

“Karlyn had a very solid freshman season for us,” Alderson said. “She embraced both of her roles and worked extremely hard at both positions. She was undefeated as a starter and was also able to come in and close the door in a lot of games.

“Karlyn had some clutch hits for us down the stretch in the playoffs and also came into some pressure-packed games pitching. She had a strong performance when coming in to pitch in the state semifinal game which we know will give her something build on for next season. We are looking for big things from Karlyn over the next three years and know she will work hard to improve all aspects of her game.

• Paige Sneddon. This Mt. Lebanon newcomer had played baseball all her life and decided to give fast-pitch softball a try this season. She started at third base for the Blue Devils and batted .265. She swiped 12 bases and never was caught stealing this spring.

• Paige Stevenson and Haley Beardsley-Upper St. Clair

A freshman, Stevenson started in right field for the Panthers and committed just one error. A the team’s lead-off hitter, she batted .351 with a .385 on-base percentage. “She has an excellent attitude and is a fantastic teammate,” said USC manager Dan Lauth.

A freshman catcher, Beardsley allowed only three passed balls. She had a .469 slugging percentage. “Haley, like Paige, also played her way into the lineup and became a solid No. 4 hitter for the team. She will be a player to watch in the future.”