Penn Hills softball up for challenging section

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, March 16, 2018 | 12:56 AM

As part of the newly formed Section 2-6A that included state champ Hempfield, Latrobe and Norwin, the Penn Hills softball program learned last season what it would take to reach the elite level.

The Indians (6-12, 2-8) hope they learned enough to take the next step this season as they return sophomore outfielder Yasmine Logan and junior infielder Makayala Delo.

During her freshman season, Logan finished with a .444 batting average and received all-section honorable mention honors.

Logan, Delo and their Indians teammates will look to pick up the slack from the departures of Riplee Burkhart and Kiana Drahusz.

Burkhart, who is at Mercyhurst North East, finished last year with a .488 batting average after missing time due to offseason elbow surgery. Drahusz, who is at Muskingum, was a second-team all-section selection during her senior year.

“The two seniors that left from last year's team are tough shoes to fill, especially with the hitting with those two gone. The key is, is someone going to be able to step up in that spot?” coach Rich Burkhart said.

Penn Hills returns its top pitcher this season, senior Jasmine Woodings, who will be complemented by freshman Chloe Campbell.

Delo is making sure her teammates have the correct mindset heading into the season.

“We're stressing commitment right now and everyone trying their best because that's all we really can ask for at this point,” Delo said.

“Mentally we just have to stay in the game and know that it's not over until it's over. I think that needs to be our main goal going into the season against the people we do play in the tough section we have.”

During the offseason, Delo has looked to improve her offensive game at the plate.

“Hitting is what we're stressing this year because if we don't have an offense, then we won't be able to compete with the people we're competing against this year,” Delo said.

Last season, the Indians captured two wins over Allderdice in section play and finished on a three-game winning streak, including an extra-inning 4-3 win over Oakland Catholic.

Penn Hills hopes to carry the momentum into this season.

“It's a very tough section, especially with the state champs, Hempfield. Last year, we stuck with them, and this year we want to do the same,” Delo said.

The Indians open the season at home against Section 2-6A foe Fox Chapel at 3:45 p.m. on April 3. Fox Chapel finished last season fourth in the section with an 8-11, 5-5 record.

“We're in a tough section again this year,” Burkhart said. “They grew a little bit last year, and hopefully we can grow a little bit more this year against these teams.”

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn Hills