Riverview softball sets high expectations with 8 returning starters

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, March 19, 2018 | 6:42 PM

After finishing in fourth place last season and making the WPIAL playoffs out of Section 3-A, the Riverview softball team clearly wants more.

With all but one starter coming back, the Raiders have their designs on a section title.

“The section champs, Leechburg, is always the team to beat,” fourth-year coach Jim Ashbaugh said. “Until you beat the section champs, they're the odds-on favorite.”

Riverview finished 7-5 in the section last year and 8-7 overall, losing an opening-round playoff game to Monessen.

“I think we have a great team coming back,” Ashbaugh said. “I like where we're at, and I think we'll give them a run for their money. The girls know what to expect, my captains are good at getting them organized and keeping things moving along.”

Among those with high hopes is senior third baseman Alivia Acierno.

“Definitely this program's grown from my freshman year,” Acierno said. “We're up to 20 girls on the team now. Leechburg and St. Joseph are considered our main rivals. Leechburg has a strong team every year.”

Also on hand is a four-year starter, center fielder Alaina Mazur.

“I'm expecting a great season, I've seen a lot of growth for this team,” Mazur said. “We've made the postseason the last three years, I think we'll do amazingly.”

Mazur will attend Chatham to major in marketing in the fall, and Acierno is headed for Geneva, where she hopes to continue her softball career.

The Raiders will feature two key pitchers, sophomore Alyssa Cappa and senior Carys Kenny-Howell, who missed last season with a back injury.

Sophomore Kelsey Phillips will be back at second base, junior Allura Jendrasik is the first baseman, junior Katelyn Davis is at shortstop, sophomore Anne Betler is the catcher and sophomore Molly Collins will be in left field.

Senior outfielder Christina Fiore is a team captain who also is expected to contribute.

The program also is staring to blossom under Ashbaugh, particularly in the lower grades. Riverview will have a junior varsity team, a luxury not all of the section rivals enjoy.

“I'm very excited by this, and it's kind of what I wanted when we first started our junior high program,” Ashbaugh said. “We wanted our girls to move up, and this is our first year of a JV program.”

Ashbaugh grew up in the community before heading to Duquesne University. He coached in the Riverview Athletic Association community league before coming to the high school level.

Ashbaugh will be assisted by Teri Murphy, a 10th-year assistant, along with Craig Phillips and Rhian Howell.

Riverview will get an early gauge as to how its season will progress. The Raiders will open the section campaign against Leechburg.

Other Riverview section opponents this season will be Bishop Canevin, The Ellis School, Jeannette and Geibel Catholic.

George Guido is a freelance writer.

Tags: Riverview