‘Fearless’ Penn-Trafford softball ready to start postseason

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 | 3:27 PM

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Penn-Trafford has to be surprised. At least a “Little.”

The Warriors softball team lost some key seniors which indicated a possible decline in offensive production and perhaps a tougher path to the postseason. But instead, a young group has maintained a high level of competition.

And raised the stakes even higher.

“I don’t think surprised is the right word,” coach Denny Little said. “These girls are more than capable of attaining their goals. I think the proper words would be that I’m excited and energized by their ability to learn from the past and live in the now.”

Add fearless to the list of descriptive words.

Class 5A Penn-Trafford (15-3) has defeated the top two teams in the Class 6A rankings: Hempfield and Latrobe — the returning WPIAL champion and runner-up, respectively.

The Warriors ended Hempfield’s 46-game winning streak with a 7-3 win at Seton Hill — the site of this year’s WPIAL championship games. And more recently, they blanked talented Latrobe and power pitcher Kiley Myers, 2-0.

Some are calling Latrobe the best team in the state.

“Penn-Trafford plays solid defense and is able to find ways to score,” Latrobe coach Rick Kozusko said, “despite the type of pitcher they are facing.”

Truth is, this Penn-Trafford group might just be better than last year’s, which ripped through the regular season with heavy bats and high scores.

This year’s Warriors, fresh off their second straight Section 1-5A title — they shared it with Franklin Regional — will learn their playoff seeding and opening-round opponent Thursday when the WPIAL releases brackets. They have a couple of nonsection tune-ups left against Connellsville and Bethel Park.

These girls are so much more fun to coach than boys…they listen better, smell better, and definitely dress up better! pic.twitter.com/fcQXiTZ8iu

— Denny Little (@coachlittlePT) May 4, 2018

Penn-Trafford’s losses are to Class 4A mega talent Mt. Pleasant (5-1), Franklin Regional (13-9) and Kiski Area (4-0).

The Warriors, though, continue to average more than nine runs a game.

Last year’s team did the same. It finished 14-6 but lost in the first round of the playoffs to Albert Gallatin 9-5.

A playoff win could propel the Warriors a long way. The bats will likely be ready but Little thinks there is more to it. He subscribes to a steadfast mental approach and its advantages.

He has a drawing of a traced hand but instead of having his young students at Greensburg Salem finish the job and make a turkey, he filled in five words, one on each finger: attitude, energy, integrity, “oomph,” and unselfishness.

And don’t forget his go-to acronym.

“It all goes back to the W.I.N. (What’s Important Now),” he said. “That’s the philosophy they have adopted as a team.

“This senior class is a great group of leaders. I think they somehow just know that it is their time to shine. Why fear it?”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Penn-Trafford