Belle Vernon softball team looks to states already

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, March 9, 2018 | 7:48 PM

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It's Penn State or bust this year for the defending WPIAL Class 4A champion Belle Vernon softball team.

After running roughshod over opponents last season en route to a WPIAL title, the Leopards had their sights set on reaching the PIAA Class 4A title game but were tripped up in the state quarterfinals by rival Mt. Pleasant in a 5-4 loss at Cal (Pa.).

“The girls are positive, and they mention that they want to run the gambit,” said Belle Vernon's Tom Rodriguez, who is in his 17th season as the Leopards coach. “You have to have a little bit of luck, too.”

While every team needs a bit of luck to make a title run, no other team has senior ace pitcher Bailey Parshall. Parshall, a Penn State commit, would love nothing more than to end her high school career on the same field she will take next spring as a Nittany Lion: Penn State's Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Parshall has been Belle Vernon's workhorse and has been nearly perfect.

She eclipsed Ashley Nicholas' career-wins record of 51 last season and will take a 56-9 record into her final season. With a fastball that registers in the low 60s, Parshall has a full repertoire of pitches with which to torture batters.

“She's the complete package,” Rodriguez said. “Let's face it: The pitcher is 99 percent of the game if you got a really good pitcher.”

Parshall's pitching will need to lead the way early while the defense gets settled. Belle Vernon (20-2, 11-1 Section 2-4A) will need to fill four holes from last year's team.

Parshall will be hitting her spots on plate with junior Ally Pacak behind it.

Rodriguez sang Pacak's praises. He said Pacak started learning the position last summer and has made great strides during the offseason.

“I really didn't think that she was going to work out, but even her throw to second is good with her good ‘pop time,' ” Rodriguez said. “She's my biggest surprise this year.”

The infield is pretty much set. Junior Mekenzie Sokol will move from left field to first base. Senior Kourtney Gavatorta will remain at shortstop, and fellow senior Alex Sokol will hold down third base.

That leaves one position in the infield that will have a new face: second base. Junior Lyndsay Steeber and sophomore Natalie French will battle for the spot during the preseason.

“That's the most important position on my team, besides my pitcher and catcher,” Rodriguez said. “It's a key position. The two get along really well.”

Rodriguez is looking at three freshmen to fill left field. Vanessa Porter, Casey Weightman and Sophia Godzak are in the mix. While all three have shown skills to play outfield, the decision might come down to how well they do at the plate.

“I need a hitter, that's for sure,” Rodriguez said. “The one hitter that is slapping the ball is the Weightman girl.”

Junior Jordan French will set up in center field with either sister Natalie French or Steeber taking over right.

A glimpse into the future backs up Parshall in the circle. All three players vying for left field will be given a chance to relieve Parshall, if need be.

Rodriguez said Porter, Weightman, Godzak and sophomore Jaelynn Clegg will get an opportunity to make their cases to back up Parshall.

Rodriguez added another assistant to his staff in former Leopards standout Haley Bashada, a 2012 grad. Bashada, who was a four-year starter and named a team captain as a sophomore, played for Cal (Pa.). Rodriguez said he is excited to have his former player coaching with him.

“Softball is three things: pitching, defense and timely hitting,” Rodriguez said. “I tell the kids that's the sequence of events you need to have ( in order) to have a winner.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Belle Vernon