A-K Valley Athletes of the Week: Serena Edgar of St. Joseph and Tyler Smith of Deer Lakes

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, March 28, 2018 | 6:06 PM

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Serena Edgar

School: St. Joseph

Class: Senior

Sport: Softball

Report card: Edgar is one of seven returning starters who have helped to put St. Joseph (1-0) softball on the map. A four-year starter, Edgar scored the tying run from third base on a Shelby Gogal single in the bottom of the sixth inning to help lead the Spartans to a 14-12 come-from-behind win over nonsection rival Apollo-Ridge on Monday. The Muskingum commit went 3 for 4 with three RBIs and fell a home run short of the cycle against the Vikings. A shortstop, Edgar finished her junior season with a .560 batting average, 17 RBIs, 30 runs and only one strikeout.

How long have you been playing softball?

Since I was 8 years old.

Does last season's 12-0 loss to Carmichaels in the quarterfinals still sting?

Yeah, it was really disappointing to go that soon because we were still on a roll.

How far can this team go this season?

I think we're a better team than last year and that we can go even further in the playoffs.

How important is it for this group to have a winning season?

It's really important because we did so good last year. You can feel our energy, and we're supportive of each other

How is this year's team different?

Since we did lose two starters, we picked up two really good freshmen, and Alex Jones came back (after two years).

What's the strength of this year's team?

Probably hitting.

Who is the most underrated player on the team?

I think Ava Swanson. She does a lot. She moves from position to position. She can do it all really well. She pitched against Apollo-Ridge.

What actress should play you in a Hollywood movie?

I like Emma Watson. She's cool.

What's your favorite subject at school?

Art history.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

I'm a really big '80s movie fan.

What is your favorite '80s movie?

I like “Dirty Dancing” the most. I even saw the musical when it came to Pittsburgh.

Do you have a favorite '80s band?

Guns N' Roses. I saw them when the came to Pittsburgh a few years ago.

What is your favorite Guns ‘N Roses song?

I really like “Patience.”

What are you going to study at Muskingum?

I kind of want to do field biology. I'm really interested in plants, but they don't have a botany major.

Tyler Smith

School: Deer Lakes

Class: Senior

Sport: Baseball

Report card: When he's not on the hill, the Shaler transfer is behind the plate as the Lancers' catcher. Smith, a West Liberty recruit, came back from a trip to The Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, S.C., with a .500 batting average, including a triple, double, six RBIs and three stolen bases through Deer Lakes' first four games. From the hill, the 6-foot right-hander picked up his first win of the season in a 14-6 win over Germantown Academy. Smith filled the closer role and played third base last season for Shaler, finishing the season with a .303 batting average.

How long have you been playing baseball?

Since I was 5.

How was your stay at The Ripken Experience?

I loved it. It was so much fun. It brought everyone together as a team.

You transferred from Shaler to Deer Lakes last October. Was the move rough?

The move was not rough at all. I knew a couple of people. (Deer Lakes senior) Jake McCaskey and I have been playing (baseball) together since we were 13.

You've played a ton of positions coming up. Which is your favorite?

Definitely, catcher. I like being in control, and I'm in the game every single pitch.

Has the team given you a nickname yet?

Not really. They call me “T-Smitty.”

What were your first impressions of the Lancers' baseball team?

I knew that they had a really good baseball team last year, and they graduated a decent amount of seniors.

What have you heard about the teams in Section 1-4A?

I heard that Knoch has a pretty good baseball team. Indiana might have a good team because of their pitching and Freeport always has good team.

How do you explain your hot start to the season?

I just have had a lot of confidence in my swing. Whenever I started getting recruited by colleges, that really boosted my confidence.

What kind of advice would you give your freshman self?

Hit the books harder. I was really lackadaisical with the books my freshman and sophomore year.

What's your best pitch?

My changeup was my best pitch last year.

Who is your favorite all-time MLB player?

Definitely Derek Jeter.

What actor should play you in a Hollywood movie?

Zac Efron.

What is your favorite subject at school?

Either anatomy or English. I'll probably go English.

What are you going to major in at West Liberty?

Exercise physiology. It's a six-year program there, so I'll end up getting my doctorate in physical therapy.

What is something interesting about you that nobody knows?

My mom is basically my best friend. I have such a good relationship with her that I will never take for granted.

Tags: Deer Lakes, St. Joseph