H-S Athlete of the Week: Cali Leichliter, Connellsville
Name: Cali Leichliter
School: Connellsville
Class: Sophomore
Sport: Softball
Leichliter鈥檚 week: Leichliter batted .800 (8 for 10) with three home runs, a triple, a double, eight RBIs, seven runs and two stolen bases in Lady Falcon victories over Laurel Highlands, 16-5, and Latrobe, 10-8, last week. Leichliter was 4 for 5 and bashed a trio of home runs in the win at Latrobe on March 24, driving in four runs, scoring three times, stealing a base and helping turn a double play in the field from her shortstop position. In the game against the visiting Fillies two days later, Leichliter was again 4 for 5 with four RBIs, a double, triple, four runs and another stolen base. The sophomore daughter of Earl and Jeanna Leichliter of Vanderbilt helped Connellsville get off to a 4-0 start under head coach John Burd.
Red hot: Leichliter has been locked in at the plate all season. She鈥檚 hitting .737 (14 for 19) with 10 RBIs and 12 runs and hasn鈥檛 had fewer than three hits in a game. 鈥淚鈥檝e had streaks like this before, especially in travel ball,鈥� said Leichliter, who plays third base for the Outlaws of Ohio when the high school season ends. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just like you feel so good and ready up there and every time you connect the ball just goes.鈥� Leichliter knew she connected pretty well on each of her home runs against the Wildcats. 鈥淚 could tell each one was out as soon as I hit it.鈥� This wasn鈥檛 Leichliter鈥檚 first three-homer game. 鈥淚 have hit three home runs before in a game, once in 12U (12 and under league). I鈥檝e hit four in a weekend.鈥�
Through the years: The 15-year-old Leichliter has been playing softball for 10 years. 鈥淚 started when I was five in a Connellsville little league,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y dad helped me the most. He was a baseball player. When I started to play 12U (12 and under) I could tell I was pretty good at hitting the ball and getting nice hits. When I was in 10U I was playing outfield but when I got to 12U I started playing more third base. I like playing the field.鈥� Leichliter has gotten some national attention. 鈥淚 was ranked 10th in the country at third base for Extra Innings in Line Drive (Media) last year,鈥� she pointed out. Leichliter jumped right into the Lady Falcons鈥� starting lineup at shortstop as a freshman last year. 鈥淭hat was a big accomplishment and I thought I handled it pretty good,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was a little nervous going into my first year but then when I met all the girls I got along really well with them and that helped me feel better and made the adjustment go pretty well. We have a strong connection.鈥� Leichliter gets along well with Burd also. 鈥淚 have a good relationship with him,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e communicate a lot pretty well. We talk things out together when we see something that maybe needs to be fixed or changed. I like him as a coach.鈥�
Top of the order: Leichliter admits she doesn鈥檛 have blazing speed but she is Connellsville鈥檚 lead-off hitter. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 say I鈥檓 the fastest runner but I can get around the bases,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 take advantage to get an extra base when I can.鈥� While many lead-off hitters will take a few pitches at the beginning of the game, Leichliter is up there ready to swing. 鈥淚鈥檓 an aggressive hitter so I鈥檒l go after the first pitch if it鈥檚 right there,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel like I have to focus a bit more when I鈥檓 the first one up in a game to make sure I get on base so I can get around and score and get my team off to a good start.鈥�
Looking to improve: Leichliter said she鈥檚 always looking to get better. 鈥淔or hitting I鈥檓 trying to focus more on swinging level and making better contact,鈥� she explained. 鈥淔or fielding, it鈥檚 making sure I get in front of the ball and making good throws to first.鈥� She鈥檚 already taking on a leadership role for the Lady Falcons. 鈥淚 feel like I am one of the leaders. I like to be very vocal,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e all have good attitudes. I feel we鈥檙e a strong team with a lot of good hitters and we have a really good bond that makes us even better.鈥� Leichliter is also looking for overall team improvement. 鈥淲e want to win the section again (the Lady Falcons finished as Section 4-5A co-champions with Trinity in 2024) and win one more playoff game.鈥� Connellsville defeated Plum in the first round last season, 9-4, but lost to Armstrong in the quarterfinals, 4-1.
Big family: Cali has five brothers 鈥� Matthew Stewart, Nathan Stewart, Jimmy Leichliter, Dylan Leichlliter and B.J. Leichliter 鈥� and one sister 鈥� Payton Leichliter. She is the youngest of the group. 鈥淣ot fun being the youngest,鈥� Cali said with a laugh. 鈥淚 get picked on a lot.鈥� She鈥檚 also the only one who plays softball or baseball. 鈥淚 had one brother who played basketball.鈥�
Outside of softball: Leichliter plays softball year around, but she does have other interests. 鈥淚鈥檓 in student council and I go up to the technical center for health occupations,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 like being outside and I like swimming.鈥�
鈥� Compiled by Rob Burchianti