County remains strong in softball
Greene County had four softball playoff teams from 2016 and it seems like over the years softball has been one of the most consistent sports for the county.
After winning the WPIAL championship in 2015, Jefferson-Morgan returned to the postseason last year. Carmichaels and Waynesburg Central also made the playoffs out of Class-AA, while the rebuilding Mapletown squad continued their upward trend.
With realignment this season, all of these teams will be in new sections with new foes.
The Lady Raiders jumped up to Class 3-A and will call Section 3 home. Joining Waynesburg in the section are Brownsville, Charleroi, McGuffey, Southmoreland and South Park.
The Lady Mikes dropped down to Class 1-A and will renew its’ county rivalry with Jefferson-Morgan, Mapletown and West Greene in Section 2. Other teams in the section are Avella, California and Monessen.
The following is the season preview for Carmichaels, Jefferson-Morgan, Mapletown and Waynesburg.
Carmichaels Lady Mikes
Coach: Dave Briggs
2016 Record: 11-9 overall/9-5 in Section 2-AA
Seniors Lost: 3
Recent History: Carmichaels has qualified for the postseason in 17 of the last 19 seasons, including 10 straight trips to the playoffs. The Lady Mikes had their season come to an end in the first round of the Class AA playoffs a year ago with a 6-0 setback to highly seeded Deer Lakes.
Top Pitcher: Just like last year, Laura Walker will be the primary pitcher and will handle most of the pitching duties for the Lady Mikes. Paige Armstrong and Kylie Sinn might get some time in the circle as well for Carmichaels.
Top Hitters: The Lady Mikes will rely on a strong offense this year with several starters returning from last year’s squad. Leading the way at the plate for Carmichaels will be Natalie McNett, Megan Walker, Gina Ranieri, Kaitlyn Wilson, Morgan Faddis and Shelbee McCann.
Thoughts on New Section: “We are really happy to be back in Single-A and face some of our old county rivals,” Briggs expressed. “It’s just less travel for us and I think overall it’s a better fit. I mean the last two WPIAL Class A champions have come from the county. I strongly believe that our section is the toughest section in Class A.”
Section Opener: vs. Jefferson-Morgan March 29
Keys to Success: “Our offense is the key for us,” Briggs said. “We have to be consistent with our offense and be able to put some runs up against some tough pitchers. I really like our experience on defense and with our pitcher. This is a veteran group that wants to win.”
Jefferson-Morgan Lady Rockets
Coach: Rich Rush
2016 Record: 10-8 overall/6-4 in Section 1-A
Seniors Lost: 5
Recent History: The Lady Rockets have made the playoffs 10 of the last 19 seasons. J-M will be looking for their fourth straight trip to the postseason, after being two years removed from winning the WPIAL title.
Top Pitcher: Freshman Caitlyn Dugan is slotted in as the primary pitcher for J-M, while Autumn Tedrow might see pitching time this season. Tedrow saw some time last year in the circle, pitching behind Caitlyn’s older sister Camryn.
Top Hitters: The Lady Rockets will be young at the plate and will rely on seniors Tedrow and Brooke Diamond. Other key pieces to the offense for Coach Rush, who was an assistant for J-M the last four seasons, will be Krista McCartney, Brynn Boyd and Maddie Van Divner.
Thoughts on New Section: “It’s by far the best section in Class A,” Rush stated. “Top to bottom it’s going to be pretty tough. You got the defending Class A champion in West Greene. Carmichaels drops down and that’s going to be a fun rivalry to get back for us. Monessen has a really good pitcher and Mapletown is on the rise.”
Section Opener: at Mapletown March 28
Keys to Success: “Consistency is the key for us,” Rush said. “We have to be fundamentally sound and make the routine plays. We can’t overthink things and try to do too much. We have to play as a team and play within ourselves. We are young, but we have some talent.”
Mapletown Lady Maples
Coach: Doug McIntire
2016 Record: 5-11 overall/4-6 in Section 1-A
Seniors Lost: 3
Recent History: The Lady Maples have only made the postseason once in the last 19 years (2008).
Top Pitcher: Mapletown’s starting pitchers will be senior Abby McIntire and sophomore Hannah Dusenberry. Both pitched last year for the Lady Maples.
Top Hitters: The Lady Maples will look for a balance attack on offense and a consistent line-up one through nine. Leading the offense will be Abby McIntire, Macee Chesney, Taylor Vanata, Sarah Chory, Michaela Perry, Elisa Clark and Makenzie Cree.
Thoughts on New Section: “West Greene will likely be the team to beat,” Coach McIntire said. “We are in a very strong section with a lot of really good teams.”
Section Opener: vs. Jefferson-Morgan March 28
Keys to Success: “The key for a successful season for our team will be playing solid on defense,” Coach McIntire explained. “We can’t take any innings off or give teams extra outs. If the girls play the way I know they can, they should be tough to beat this season.”
Waynesburg Central Lady Raiders
Coach: Jim Armstrong
2016 Record: 9-12 overall/9-5 in Section 2-AA
Seniors Lost: 3
Recent History: Waynesburg has made the WPIAL’s second season 12 of the last 13 seasons and 15 of the last 19 years. In the same time span the Lady Raiders had 16 winning seasons. Waynesburg fell to Neshannock in last year’s Class AA preliminary round.
Top Pitchers: Senior Emma Ricciuti will be Waynesburg’s main pitcher and the Lady Raiders have depth in the circle with junior Courtney Yuhas, sophomore Bailee Shimek and freshmen Jordan Siebert and Paige Rutan backing her up.
Top Hitters: The Lady Raiders boasts a consistent offense with a lot of power and run-producers led by California University of Pa.’s recruit Tara Staley. Other regulars in the lineup are Sydney Hare, Rachel Elsenheimer, Brooke Meek and Brooke Moore.
Thoughts on New Section: “I believe the new section will be interesting after picking up South Park and Southmoreland,” Armstrong said. “South Park was a strong playoff team from last year with some top-ranked players and Southmoreland has a very good pitcher. McGuffey should still be strong. Brownsville is always competitive and Charleroi is scrappy.”
Section Opener: vs. Southmoreland April 3
Keys to Success: “For us to be successful this year we have to play good on the field and hit well at the plate,” Armstrong said. “Of course pitching is always going to be important. We are depending on the entire team to contribute in helping us to the playoffs.”