Softball
Mt. Pleasant baseball focuses on bringing runners home
March 16, 2019
Chris Firmstone does not get bogged down with or obsess over statistics.
Knoch softball eager to build on last season’s long-awaited playoff victory
March 15, 2019
Coming off a season in which it won a playoff game for the first time in 11 years, the Knoch softball team exudes optimism.
Gateway softball looks to maintain momentum after playoff appearance
The Gateway softball team enjoyed a “turnaround season” of sorts in 2018.
Chartiers Valley, Carlynton, Bishop Canevin softball have reasons for optimism
Bishop Canevin was the lone area team to make the WPIAL softball playoffs last season. This season, the Crusaders will try to make another run with a roster that looks very different.
Monessen softball team takes aim at return trip to WPIAL final
To say the Monessen softball team still hasn’t moved on from last season’s heartbreaking loss to rival West Greene in the WPIAL Class A championship game is a gross understatement. The wounds from that game have turned into scars, but the fire in the bellies of the Greyhounds continues to rage.
Kiski Area softball reaps benefits of building foundation
March 14, 2019
Maggie Nicholas jokes that her win-loss record as Kiski Area’s softball coach doesn’t look impressive on paper. But in a “What have you done for me lately?” world, the Cavaliers’ recent track record jumps off the page.
Latrobe softball team to rely on several underclassmen in quest for elusive title
For the past two seasons, the Latrobe softball team has been on the brink of winning a WPIAL championship.
Highlands softball optimistic thanks to hitting depth, freshman pitcher
March 13, 2019
The Highlands softball team is in search of some keys — the figurative type.
Young Jeannette softball team ready to turn the corner
Jeannette softball won’t field a senior this season, but coach Zac Karas said the team has plenty of leaders.
3-time defending PIAA softball champion Hempfield has holes to fill
March 12, 2019
Don’t pencil in the Hempfield softball team as the favorite to win WPIAL and PIAA Class 6A titles just yet.
DeJidas ready to cap career on high note with Freeport softball
In her years at Freeport, Ally DeJidas has experienced plenty of success as a state volleyball champion, a key member of a Yellowjackets’ softball team that made three straight playoff appearances and was part of the recent girls basketball run to the playoffs.
Youthful Fox Chapel softball sets sights toward future
March 11, 2019
Fox Chapel softball coach Lisa Hess is in a situation she hasn’t seen in her five seasons with the program after nine seniors graduated from a team that made the postseason last year.
Burrell softball motivated for final run under coach Brian Eshbaugh
March 9, 2019
Evidence of the Burrell softball team’s motivation — and its persistent practice — lies in some beyond-battered equipment.
No shortage of energy for Apollo-Ridge softball
Apollo-Ridge senior pitcher Mollie Charlton felt it. Heck, she could almost taste it.
Experienced Franklin Regional softball team eyes more success
Franklin Regional has strung together four consecutive winning seasons in softball.
Without Parshall, Belle Vernon softball team seeks new identity
March 7, 2019
How will Belle Vernon’s softball team fare without Bailey Parshall?
Hempfield’s Orischak commits to St. Francis (Pa.)
February 20, 2019
Another Hempfield softball player has committed early to a Division I college.
Coaches Corner – Billy Simms
July 5, 2017
In this feature titled "Coaches Corner", I will be interviewing a different coach every week and asking them questions about their personal life and about coaching. Hopefully their answers will not only shed some light on how they coach their respective teams, but also allow readers to get to know the men behind the fields/courts. This week features head softball coach Bill Simms of the West Greene Pioneers. Coach Simms finished his 12th year with WG, and has helped turn the program into a perennial playoff contender. In 2016, he led his team to 4 straight blowout wins, earning them the Pioneers first ever WPIAL softball title. Coach Simms is also the Athletic Director, as well as a teacher at West Greene. Let's take a look inside Coach Simms's corner:
2017 Diamond Dolls Softball All-Stars
June 24, 2017
Morgan Ryan finished off a great career as a Hempfield pitcher this season. Bailey Parshall still has one year left as a pitcher at Belle Vernon, but already has had a great career. The two were so good this season - and in their careers - that the MSA Sports staff found it impossible to pick one over the other as Player of the Year. So there is a double take on Player of the Year this year. Ryan and Parshall have been selected co-Players of the Year and lead the MSA Diamond Dolls softball all-star team. The Diamond Dolls are the top 12 players in the WPIAL, regardless of position, and they are picked by the MSA staff. Here are thumbnail sketches of the players of the year and the rest of the Diamond Dolls team.
After Long Wait, South Park is 3-A Softball State Champs
June 17, 2017
The South Park Eagles redeemed a third place finish in the WPIAL playoffs and had the last laugh by taking home the program's first PIAA state title in history 4-2 over District 11 champion Pine Grove. The Eagles scrapped and clawed for a run in the first, second, fifth, and seventh innings to pull out a hard-fought victory over a Pine Grove team that defeated three other district champions on its way to the title game. South Park's lone senior Justine Dean silenced the high-speed Cardinal attack that had blitzed its way to 32 runs in the previous three rounds of state postseason play.
