Arrow pointing up for Hampton softball team

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, April 2, 2018 | 1:11 AM

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Hampton softball coach Ron Fedell and assistant Lynn Zdirak looked at their roster and then at their uniform inventory. There was a problem.

The allotment of 20 uniforms in the past had served the number of players. This year, that's not the case.

Fedell might be happy the issue is a primary indicator for a growing program that fielded a JV team for the first time in five years in 2017. As for the players who can't get a uniform?

“I just want these kids to know we have plans for all of them,” said Fedell, who vows to correct the issue by next season. “Now it's up to us this year to make the right decisions on who to play.”

That's another good problem for Hampton, which returns a strong core of seniors and underclassmen from a team that finished 9-9 last year, missing the playoffs under heartbreaking circumstances.

The team was shocked when section rival Chartiers Valley upset undefeated No. 1 West Allegheny to leapfrog them in the standings at the end of the season. But Fedell, who watched his team stumble to a 1-5 start before rebounding to go 8-4 the rest of the way, thinks the group is better off for it, particularly with his crop of reserves.

“This is the first time in a long time we can put in talented reserves and not miss a beat,” Fedell said. “Last year when the kids started making errors, we lost focus … these freshmen can play. And I'm hoping our sophomores don't experience the dreaded sophomore jinx.”

Chief among those is outfielder Lydia Quaglia, who made the 3-5A all-section team as a freshman after making a midseason switch from second base. Seniors Natalie Klaas and Julia Powers also return starting experience to the outfield.

Sophomores Maria Schrecengost and Anneliese Probeck were major contributors as first-year players last season, as well. Freshman Bella Nordick will hope to replicate the success Probeck achieved on the mound. Schrecengost will be counted on as a defensive lynchpin at shortstop.

Early returns are good on Nordick. She started the first game of the season in a 10-7 loss to Fox Chapel, giving up only one earned run on three hits in a game Fedell said was mostly because of a rusty defensive unit playing in 40-degree weather.

“If we give up only three hits per game, we'll be in good shape,” he said.

Probeck also will split time at second base with freshmen Arianna Erka and Hannah Bradfield, the latter of which had three hits against Fox Chapel. Junior and returning starter Sydney Kasper will also see time in the infield.

Chloe Nelligan can speak to handling early success after earning all-section honors as a freshman pitcher. She will split time at first base with another captain, Emily Morris, as they look to round out their senior seasons with a playoff appearance — something Hampton hasn't doesn't since winning its section in 2015.

“If you had a daughter,” said Fedell, “You'd want it to be Chloe. The kid has a great attitude. If I could have 15 players like her, I'd have a heck of a team.”

No amount of depth would replace catcher Ashley Sheetz, who earned a scholarship to St. Francis (Pa.). But junior Maddie Werner saw experience last year, and at No. 5 in the batting order, has Fedell's confidence.

“Obviously it's hard to replace someone like Ashley,” said Fedell, who enters his 18th season as a coach.

“She has to be one of the top two or three players we've had at the school since I've been here. We expect (Maddie) to hold her own. We can't expect her to be Ashley. If she can play within herself, she'll be fine.”

Devon Moore is a freelance writer.

Tags: Hampton