Seniors lead Brentwood softball to playoffs

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, May 20, 2018 | 11:30 AM

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Brentwood advanced to the WPIAL softball playoffs for a second consecutive year.

But the Spartans, who finished fourth in Section 1-2A, faced defending WPIAL champion Frazier in the first round.

No. 1-seed Frazier won a 16-0 decision — it was the Commodores' seventh victory in eight games — on May 14 at Peters Township, improving to 14-5 overall. No. 16 Brentwood finished with a 4-7 record.

“Our team performed to our expectations this year,” Brentwood coach Jen Ditoro said. “The weather was not the most cooperative this season, and the playoff berth for the girls basketball team, as well, did deprive us of many of our key players in the preseason. That said, having only played section games this season due to the inclement weather and with player limitations, I thought the ladies performed well.

“In the future, we need to work on a way to see it through all seven innings each game, and to come out in inning one with the intensity that we often have mid-game. We have a few sets of shoes to fill for next year, as we do lose four seniors who have been integral members of the team. Additionally, section realignment will play a role in the changes next year.”

There were seven returning starters on the team at the start of this season, but the Spartans still were a relatively young squad with just four seniors on the roster — pitcher Brittany Stewart, first baseman Taylor Kottler, second baseman Sierra Powers and third baseman Tia Cerminara.

There also were two juniors, seven sophomores plus three freshmen prospects in the program.

Stewart, junior catcher Abby Wolf, Kottler, Powers, sophomore outfielders Jaden Schwartz and Jessica Hines; and Cerminara, the team's' designated player in several games last year, were returning starters in 2018. Cerminara started in the infield this season.

Stewart and Kottler were four-year starters for the Spartans.

A right-handed hurler, Stewart played shortstop as a freshman and was in the pitcher's circle the past three years. She is an honor roll student with a 3.9 GPA, and plans to major in business at Duquesne.

This was her third season pitching to Wolf, who like her batterymate also has competed in basketball and volleyball at Brentwood.

“I think this season went pretty well considering we made the playoffs for the second year in a row,” Stewart said. “I wish the weather would've been more cooperative so we could've gotten all our games in, which may have helped us get into a better rhythm. But overall, I was satisfied with how the year went.

“I also felt that my softball career was successful because I started and lettered all four years. All and all, being a three-sport athlete was very challenging but rewarding. My high school athletic career was full of fun and with memories that will last a lifetime.”

Kottler, who has a 4.2 GPA, also was a member of Brentwood's girls basketball team. She is a National Honor Society member, and plans to attend Duquesne to study sociology/criminal justice.

“The season definitely didn't end the way we wanted, but our team never gave up and I couldn't be prouder,” Kottler said. “It's definitely a weird feeling having played my last game ever with my best friends. It's been an unforgettable four years.”

The Spartans' starting lineup against Frazier consisted of Stewart (P), Wolf (C), Kottler (1B), Powers (2B), Cerminara (3B), junior shortstop Brooke McQuillan; Schwartz, Hines and freshman Sidney Wuenschell in the outfield; with freshman Paige Miller serving as designated hitter.

Powers competes in competitive dance, has a 4.1 GPA (with a 4.5 GPA in her senior year), and is a National Honor Society member.

She also is a member of the school's yearbook/newspaper staff and senior steering committee, and plans to attend West Virginia to most likely double major in strategic communications and marketing.

“This season, I think we overcame a lot of obstacles,” Powers said. “Our main problem was playing our best all seven innings. We always played six great innings and had one bad inning, which hurt us in the end. But for the most part, we played really well and to our fullest potential.

“My senior year, I am really glad to have started at second base, and to share my last season with my fellow seniors.”

Cerminara owns a 3.2 GPA and plans to go to Edinboro in the fall to study psychology.

“I feel like this year was pretty good,” Cerminara said. “We were definitely stronger mentally than the last (few) years. We didn't let teams get in our head as much, and our overall performance was better than in previous years.

“My season was a blast. (It) was definitely my favorite year of the four. We played hard and we were focused. I'm glad we all got along and there were no problems. As a team, we definitely stuck together. There was not a single game I can remember that we let somebody be down. Everybody was so uplifting and upbeat. I had a ton of fun, and the underclassmen definitely made it a memorable season.”

Rounding out this year's squad were sophomores Ava Dorrance, Kylie Hammond, Kayla Kacsuta, Kaylie March and Carly Vickless; along with freshman Beatrice Cook.

Section wins over Carlynton (9-0, 4-2) and Sto-Rox (18-0, 15-0) were season highlights for the Brentwood girls.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Brentwood