Bethel Park shortstop best in state
Reagan Milliken of Bethel Park added another accolade to her scholastic softball collection although she is already enrolled at Ohio State University.
The Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association (PaHSSBCA) named her Class 5A Player of the Year. She also garnered first-team, all-state acclaim at shortstop.
Milliken said she was “honored” and “blessed” to receive the award. She also represented BP on the all-section and all-district team. In addition, she was named The Almanac/Observer-Reporter MVP.
Milliken said this year was important to her because she missed out on her junior campaign because the 2020 season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I wanted to comeback strong and help lead my team to a successful season,” Milliken said.
The Black Hawks made history as Bethel Park defeated Canon-McMillan for its first WPIAL championship. In the contest, Milliken tagged two hits and reached base two more times when she was hit by pitches. She scored three runs.
“Our senior class made its mark in BP history,” Milliken said.
“I’m proud that I was part of the journey.”
Milliken contributed significantly to BP’s 18-1 season, which ended with a loss to Penn Manor in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.
After back-to-back .500 plus batting averages as a freshman and sophomore, Milliken led the region in batting with a .667 average. She clubbed 12 home runs and drove in a team-high 40 RBI. Additionally, she hit three triples and five doubles. She scored 31 runs.
On defense, she maintained a .943 fielding percentage, committing just three errors and recording 22 assists.
Although she has played the interior spots at second base and shortstop for the Hawks, Milliken was recruited to primarily play first base for the Buckeyes. She can also be utilized at third base.
Milliken is already making her mark at OSU. Currently, she is training with the team while also attending classes.
“The experience so far has been wonderful,” Milliken said. “Everything is top notch and I’m grateful to be a part of such a storied university.
“I am super excited about my future here,” she added. “This is my dream school. It’s so thrilling to be living out my dreams. My goal is to help my team succeed to the best of my ability.”
Four other BP players joined Milliken on the all-state team.
Pitcher Delaney Nagy, catcher Sandra Soltes and Gianna Sciullo earned first-team honors. Nagy will play at Connecticut while Sciullo is off to Georgetown in the fall. A rising senior, Soltes is committed to Pitt.
Lauren Caye earned second-team recognition. An outfielder, she is bound for Seton Hall.
Mt. Lebanon (10-8) placed three players on the all-state squad. Jenna Gorecki and Elizabeth Kubancek received first-team honors at first and third base, respectively. Deirdre Flaherty was first-team all-state as the designated player.
Canon-McMillan’s Olivia Ulam was named first-team all-state at second base.
In Class 5A, Marie Kitchington earned first-team laurels as a designated player for Chartiers Valley (14-9), which finished third in the WPIAL and advanced to the PIAA playoffs.