A-K Valley athletes of the week: Burrell’s Tanner Spohn, Plum’s Olivia Wendell

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, April 25, 2018 | 8:57 PM

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Tanner Spohn

School: Burrell

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Baseball

Report card: The Bucs are riding a three-game win streak due in large part to Spohn's performance on the hill and at the plate. He took to the mound in relief during last week's game against Section 1-3A rival Shady Side Academy, where he gave up just one hit over 5 ¹⁄₃ innings. Spohn also had the game-winning RBI as Burrell (6-1, 5-1) rallied for a 7-6 win. He is hitting .318, with a double and seven runs scored.

When did you begin playing baseball?

When I was about 4 years old.

How much better can this team get?

I think as we go through this next round of section games we need to keep winning, need to keep making the plays in the field, hit the ball and that will help us.

How did it feel to get the walk-off single against Shady Side Academy?

It was good. My hit was a slow roller up the middle.

Where does Burrell need to get better before the postseason?

Definitely our hitting. Everybody needs to improve a little bit on hitting.

Does this year's team have a motto?

“Shock the WPIAL.” All of our tweets have that at the end of it.

Who is the most underrated player on the team?

I'll probably go with sophomore first baseman Zach Miller; he's been hitting the ball well for us this year.

Which MLB player's swing do you try to emulate?

My favorite player growing up was Derek Jeter.

What is it like playing for your father, Burrell coach Mark Spohn?

We get along really well. It's fun playing for him.

What is the dinner table conversation like following a bad game?

He's pretty tough on me. He really pushes me to do well.

What do you predict the Pittsburgh Pirates overall record will be this year?

Bad. I'm not a Pirates fan. I like the New York Yankees.

If you could have walk-up music on your way to the plate, what song would you use?

“God's Plan” by Drake.

What three words best describe you?

Dedicated. Confident. Competitive.

What's your favorite subject at school?

Chemistry.

Do you have dream college to go and play baseball at?

I really like Penn State.

What is something interesting about you nobody knows?

I'm a big deer hunter.

What's the biggest deer you've tagged?

I shot a nine-point this year around my house in Upper Burrell.

Olivia Wendell

School: Plum

Class: Junior

Sport: Softball

Report card: Wendell sent a 0-1 pitch to shallow right field in the bottom of the eighth inning to score Lindsey Suprano and give Plum (6-5, 5-4) a 7-6 walk-off win over Section 1-5A rival Kiski Area on Saturday. With the Mustangs trailing 3-0, Wendell sparked the rally with an RBI single in the fourth to score Francesca Beighley. She has a .258 batting average, four RBIs and three stolen base from her leadoff spot.

When did you begin playing softball?

I started when I was 5 or 6 years old.

How important was Saturday's come-from-behind win over Kiski Area?

It was pretty exciting. It felt good beating a good team.

How tough is the section this year?

I don't really think that it's that difficult, but there's a lot of good teams.

Where does this team need to improve the most to make the postseason?

Our hitting. We're pretty good in the field, but we just need to hit better.

Is there a particular pitch you look for at the plate?

Usually low and inside or anything low.

Who is the most difficult pitcher to face in the section?

I don't really think that anyone is that difficult to hit off of. I think you just have to adjust to it.

What is the strength of this team?

Our pitching and fielding.

Who is the most underrated player on the team?

I think we're all kid of equal, but I think Britney Shanter. She's a smart baserunner.

What is your dream softball school to play at?

LSU. Whenever I was younger I was watching their game on TV, and it brought my attention to their team.

What's your favorite baseball movie?

“The Sandlot.”

Who is your favorite character?

Benny (Rodriguez).

If you could have walk-up music on your way to the plate, what song would you use?

“Dark Knight Dummo,” by Trippie Redd.

What three words best describe you?

Funny. Reserved. Responsible.

What's your favorite subject at school?

Art.

What's your favorite piece?

Last year we did a graffiti project with our names. It was pretty cool.

What is something interesting about you nobody knows?

Last year I hit a walk-off home run for my travel team, the Pittsburgh Predators.

— William Whalen

Tags: Burrell, Plum