Penn-Trafford softball looks for long postseason run

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, May 11, 2018 | 11:00 PM

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With eight seniors gone from last year, Penn-Trafford's next wave of softball players wanted to carry on the squad's successful legacy.

The Warriors achieved it by earning a share of the WPIAL Section 1-5A title this spring.

“That was one of their main goals: to win the section. It meant a lot to them,” Penn-Trafford coach Denny Little said. “It's a completely different team than last year. We're just blessed with great kids.”

The next task is making a deep postseason run. The past three years, Penn-Trafford's season came to an end in the WPIAL quarterfinals. This group hopes to get the Warriors (16-3) at least to the semifinals for the first time since 2014.

They earned the No. 3 seed and a bye into Wednesday's quarterfinals.

“Judging from how they've acted all year, I think they are the team that's going to go somewhere. We just don't get too excited or too low. When we go out there, it's business as usual. When we won the section, there was no jumping up and down. They were gratified. They just know when to get up and when to play,” Little said. “We're not worried about seeding. One thing we've pounded into their brains all winter is to not worry about anything not in their control and only worry about what they can control, which is our attitude, energy and opportunity.”

Seniors Emma Nedley, a Penn recruit, and Maura Mallon and sophomore Morgan Hilty are the team's only returning starters. A dozen or so other players contribute as well.

Hilty is the team's main pitcher, but sophomore Sami Schickel comes in to close games and earns spot starts, as well.

“It's a great luxury to have two good pitchers. A lot of teams don't have that,” Little said. “I have to give a lot of credit to one of our assistants, Mike Smith. He's worked very hard with our pitchers. Another assistant, Kendall Marasti, does a wonderful job with all the girls, too.”

Junior Carlee Lamacz is the team's catcher and helps the pitchers from behind the plate.

“She is another reason the pitchers are doing so well. She can frame pitches well and she blocks everything. She is great to have back there,” Little said.

Junior Emma Armstrong, a Hartford recruit, is at first base, and Mallon is at second. Junior Morgan Nedley is the shortstop and sophomore Jess Lichota is at third. Becky Mertz, Allie Prady and Emma Little join Emma Nedley in the outfield, and Brooke Cleland is the designated player.

“Basically, this team has a different personality than last year,” Denny Little said. “Last year, they were hitters. This team has hitters, slappers and kids who can get on base. We've had to turn to small ball to win games. You never know how they will do it, but they will put up runs. It's a good mix of power and speed.”

The Warriors opened some eyes when they knocked off the top-ranked Class 6A team on two occasions. They beat Hempfield, 7-3, on April 22 and Latrobe, 2-0, on May 7.

“I don't know how many 5A teams have knocked off the top 6A teams twice in the same season,” Denny Little said. “But, these girls understand they're just two more wins. We tell them to learn from the past, prepare for the future and perform in the moment. They do a great job with that. These girls are well-rounded.”

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn-Trafford