Colonials enjoying recent run of success
Tri-State Sports & News Service
Some Albert Gallatin players, such as sophomore slugger Annalia Paoli, have known nothing but success at the school. The Colonials made a run to the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals and the PIAA playoffs last season, then earned the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye for the district tournament this year.
But things weren’t always this way.
That trip to the WPIAL playoffs last year? It was the first time since 1996. And the state playoffs? Well, that was the first time ever.
So, while this may be familiar territory for some, for others it has never been so good to be Albert Gallatin. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a marked difference between last year and now.
The 2017 squad did not experience the history of Albert Gallatin softball, but they sure knew about it. That added a little bit of pressure to the young squad that has matured quickly.
“It’s a huge difference,” said Colonials coach Gary Serock. “Last year, we tightened up. We were good enough to get to the [WPIAL] championship game. This year, it’s a different atmosphere.”
Paoli, a Pitt commit, is once again putting a hurting on the softball. She’s batting .510 with 10 homers, 5 doubles and 29 RBIs. After a fantastic freshman year, Paoli isn’t even seeing a lot of good pitches to hit.
“I’m not going to lie, they’ve been doing a lot of outside pitching to her,” said Serock. “We’ve been changing our approach to hitting and other girls are stepping up.”
Maddie Flowers leads the team with a .520 average. Ally Bezjak (.451), Katie Kelley (.436) and Maddy Hershberger (.426) bolster a team lineup that averages .402.
Pitching is still a crucial aspect to softball, but after the rubber was moved back from 40 to 43 feet several years ago, it improved the odds for teams that hit well. The Colonials certainly can mash the ball and that can help make their dreams of winning a WPIAL title a reality.
“If you don’t hit that ball in today’s day and age, that can mean a lot,” said Serock. “You’ll go home early.”
Hershberger, a sophomore who has committed to Kent State, doubles as the staff ace with a 1.87 ERA.
“She’s been everything to us as far as pitching,” Serock said. “She’s been amazing. Without her, we probably wouldn’t be where we’re at.”
With hitting, pitching, defense and now experience at his disposal, Serock said the sky’s the limit for this group.
“We’re just blessed right now at this time to have some players to make this team what it is,” he said. “I’m just enjoying the ride.”
Frazier
How’s this for helping your cause: Frazier sophomore Logan Hartman had three hits in a 16-0 WPIAL Class 2A first-round triumph against Brentwood. Hartman also was the winning pitcher and allowed just two hits, meaning she outhit the Spartans by herself.
Hartman’s teammate Kathryn Barch also had three hits and she showed off her power each time. She bashed two home runs to go with a double. Barch finished the game with three RBIs.
Class 2A
One of the WPIAL’s smallest classifications put up some big numbers the first round of the playoffs. In three games, the Class 2A
The playoffs are the perfect time to make a name for yourself. Peters Township’s Madi Morgan, a freshman third baseman, made sure Seneca Valley won’t forget her after a 16-13 shootout win for Peters Township. Morgan went 4 for 5 with 2 homers, 3 runs scored and 4 RBIs. Heading into the seventh inning, Peters Township trailed, 10-9. Morgan tied the score and sparked a seven-run seventh by hitting a leadoff home run.