Playoff loss motivating Franklin Regional softball

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, April 13, 2018 | 11:00 PM

Lesson No. 1, the postseason is brutal, and it's supposed to be. Coming off a postseason in which the Franklin Regional softball team experienced the highs of winning and the lows of losing in one week, last season's loss to Moon in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs taught the Panthers one thing: Nothing can be taken for granted come playoff time.

“One of the things I think you have to learn — and I don't know if we've learned it yet — is that the postseason is another season,” said coach Jim Armstrong, who is in his 16th season as the Panthers coach. “You go along and hope that you're playing your best ball at the end of the year.”

Point Park softball commit Angalee Beall still remembers last season's quarterfinal loss to Moon. The game was stopped because of darkness and, because of scheduling conflicts, was rescheduled for four days later.

“I think it motivates us because we know we could've beat Moon in that game, and we know how much better we are and I think we're gonna go far this year,” said Beall, who is the ace pitcher on Armstrong's staff.

But the past is just that, the past and there's no better way to get over a loss than to take a trip to Florida to begin a new season. Franklin Regional (5-1, 3-0) travelled to Historic Dodgertown to get things started. The Panthers left the “Sunshine State” with a 2-1 record, a tan and some answers as to who was going to replace the five seniors from last year's team.

“Some of the things we learned down in Florida was we saw some things that if we didn't have the opportunity to (go to Florida) we'd have to wait (to see them),” Armstrong said. “This is important, especially with the weather.”

The Panthers are undefeated since coming north and fall just below Section 1-5A leader, and top rival, Penn-Trafford (4-0, 4-0) in the standings.

But while the Panthers are experienced in some areas, they're as green as the outfield grass in others. Junior Mallory Halleck moved from second base, where she played last season, to first base. Halleck will bat cleanup in the order. Armstrong expects Halleck to improve on her team-high seven homers from a year ago.

Replacing the five seniors will be five sophomores. Armstrong can't afford for his newcomers to have a sophomore slump literally and figuratively. At second base will be sophomore Kate Alexander. Armstrong praised Alexander's smarts and ability to move on the ball.

Shortstop Mariah Deriggi has all the makings of becoming the best shortstop to come out of Franklin Regional in a long time.

“She probably has the strongest arm that I've ever had at shortstop,” Armstrong said. “Mariah has a cannon, she reacts well and does a good job.”

Senior Jocelyn Baer gets the nod at third base, and sophomore Abby Kane will start at catcher to round out the infield.

In the outfield, sophomores Olivia Yurinko and Kylie O'Neal will take over at right and left fields, respectively. Speedy senior Chrissy Kemerer moves from right field to center field to round out the outfield.

“I think that these girls are hungry to get back there,” Armstrong said. “We just really need to try to focus on the quarterfinals and be playing our best ball towards the end of the year.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Franklin Regional