Penn Hills softball develops in tough section

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, May 18, 2018 | 2:54 PM

Heading into the season, the Penn Hills softball players understood they were facing an uphill battle competing in a section with some top programs in Western Pennsylvania.

However, Penn Hills (2-11, 2-8) still battled in Section 2-6A and collected two wins over Allderdice.

The Indians showed their competitive spirit against Hempfield and Latrobe, keeping games close before the opponent displayed the difference in experience and skill level.

“My biggest highlight is when we played Hempfield and we kept them from scoring a run in the first three innings. It was something they weren't expecting,” Penn Hills coach Rich Burkhart said.

“I think the girls can learn from that and grow from that. They had one of those games where every ball they hit after that found a place where nobody was at.”

Even though the scores might not reflect it, Burkhart was pleased with the effort provided in their matchups against the top two teams in the section. The Indians suffered 13-0 and 21-3 losses to Hempfield, while losing to Latrobe, 16-1 and 15-0.

Penn Hills allowed double-digit runs in each of its losses, except in their last game against Oakland Catholic where they suffered an 8-6 loss in nonsection play May 8.

The Indians were shut out in four games. However, Penn Hills outscored Allderdice, 41-13, in two games this season.

The Indians were led by sophomore outfielder Yasmine Logan, junior first baseman Makayala Delo, freshman shortstop Ireland Richardson and senior pitcher Jasmine Woodings.

Logan, who received all-section honorable mention honors her freshman year, was named to the Section 2-6A all-section team this season.

“She pretty much did everything I expected she was going to do this year. I expect more out of her next year because she's just growing and getting better,” Burkhart said.

Delo, Richardson and Woodings all received all-section honorable mention honors this season.

With Woodings' departure, freshman Chloe Campbell remains as the only player with pitching experience on the roster.

In what was supposed to be the last game of the season against Sto-Rox, Burkhart let Logan pitch and liked the possibilities she possesses for her junior season.

“I hope Jasmine Logan is going to step up because I had her pitching when Sto-Rox didn't show. She's going to work over the summer and the winter, and hopefully she will develop into a pitcher that will be able to help us out in our new section,” Burkhart said.

Along with Logan's return, Burkhart is excited for the continued growth by Richardson, and he will lean on Delo to supply senior leadership next season.

Next year, the Indians will join the newly formed Section 2-5A with Gateway, Hampton, Mars, Oakland Catholic, Plum, Shaler and Woodland Hills. However, Burkhart still hopes to continue competing against tough nonsection teams.

“I'd rather play the Hempfields and Latrobes,” he said. “Hopefully, we can get to schedule those games against those teams because that's the standard.”

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn Hills