Valley softball sets sights on playoff berth

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, March 22, 2018 | 4:51 PM

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The Valley softball team last made the WPIAL playoffs in 2012.

Coach Carol Perroz said despite some lean years recently, the pieces are in place to get the team back to the postseason.

Patience and dedication, she said, will be keys for this year's group of 12.

“This group has had the enthusiasm I wanted to see,” said Perroz, who enters her 14th season. “Each girl is pulling for everyone else in every drill. That is a great team bonding thing. As long as they continue that positive energy, I am hoping for big things for us.”

Valley finished last season 2-9 overall and 2-8 (fifth place) in Section 1-3A. The top four make the WPIAL playoffs.

Burrell, at 5-5, snagged the final playoff spot. The Vikings were in contention to win both games from the Bucs last year but suffered losses of 13-7 and 10-9.

Only two starters did not return from last year's team. Kaitlin Capo was the only one lost to graduation.

“They have seen the growth from last year to this year,” Perroz said. “Because they went through it all last year, the girls now know what to expect. They have more confidence.”

Perroz said she saw improvements with the core of players through summer and fall in-house play.

“The more games they played, the better they got and the more confidence they gained. It's showing now.”

Junior Andie Jo Conwell is back for her third year as the team's starting pitcher.

“She started as a freshman and had a lot of growing pains that year,” Perroz said. “She had big growth between her freshman and sophomore years. We are hoping for the same kind of growth this year. She's worked very hard on her speed and all her pitches.”

Conwell said she's ready to take on all the challenges of the season with the support of her teammates behind her.

“I am really excited because our coaches said we are playing night and day from last year, both offensively and defensively,” Conwell said. “There is better communication and chemistry between the players. I think we are doing pretty good and progressing to where we want to be.”

Fellow junior Auveonna Perkins returns to third base. She was a team captain last year as a sophomore.

“She really carried herself well last year, and I'm hoping she can do that again,” Perroz said.

Junior Lauren Schrock was a starter last year at second base.

Because the team has no seniors this season, Perroz is counting on the juniors to continue taking the lead in leadership.

Of the 12 on the roster, seven are sophomores.

Sophomore Madison Gatto, one of the Gatto triplets, caught for Conwell last year as a freshman.

“She and Conwell have a little bond,” Perroz said. “They communicate well, which is important for your pitcher-catcher combo.”

Casey Gatto, at shortstop, led the returning players in batting average last year.

Riley Gatto, Perroz said, has the inside track at returning to the starting spot at first base.

Perroz said the team started preseason practices with some battles in both the infield and outfield.

“Because there were a number of battles, it made them work that much harder,” Perroz said.

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at mlove@tribweb.com.

Tags: Valley