Peters Township girls off to winning start in softball
Peters Township started the softball season the way the Indians hope to finish the 2013 campaign … with a championship.
The Lady Indians traveled to Tennessee and captured first place in the Gordonsville Tournament. PT edged previously unbeaten Stone Memorial, 3-1, in the championship contest played at the Cain Creek Sports Complex in Cookeville.
In the tournament, the Indians blasted Cannon Country, 12-0, South Pittsburgh, 11-1, and White County, 9-0, while shutting out Jackson County, 4-0, and Franklin County, 6-0.
PT manager Robert Bowers cited the experience of his veterans for his team’s success.
“I have a young team and I needed my seniors to step up and be leaders, particularly in the final game, and they did,” he said. “I am very proud of our team as they played with intensity, overcame mistakes and handled the pressure in tough situations.”
While seniors Abby Cunningham and Hannah Berardino led the Indians in the field, Carly Konopka and Kellyn Perich paced Peters on the mound. Each was credited with three wins and each recorded two shutouts. Perich was particularly impressive in the championship game. The sophomore struck out 12 in recording the victory.
Offensively, Cunningham, Konopka, Viktoria Heiser and Molly Campbell smacked home runs in the tournament.
While Berardino anchors the defense at the hot corner, third base, Cunningham catches and plays shortstop for the Lady Indians.
Campbell, who can also pitch, mans first base while fellow sophomore Heiser can play in the outfield or the infield. Junior Tori Weida is the team’s second baseman.
When she is not pitching, Perich can play virtually any position, from center field to short to catcher. Sophomore Lindsay McKnight can play at short or in center.
Other outfield-only players on the roster include: sophomore Meghan Bastyr, seniors Alex Conti and Marlena Karavolis.
Several other players possess Heiser’s versatility. They include juniors Alyssia Leech, Jamie Stowers and Shannon Wenk as well as sophomore Emily Lusk.
Briana Smith completes the varsity roster. The freshman can play behind the plate, in the outfield or the infield.
With Bowers in his first season as manager and seven additional freshman in the program, a bright future appears on the horizon for Peters Township as its early season indicates. Among the other newcomers are: Kailey Cabe, Garbiella and Maddie Capozza, Courtney Cherry, Sierra Scutella, Breanne Wenk and Taylor Wherry.