The girls’ softball team is making its way into a new season! As of April 22, they have won eight games, six of which count toward their section record. These victories have each brought the team one step closer to becoming section champions. The team has high hopes to not only win sectionals but also make it to States; they will continue to work on and off the field to maintain this goal.
Team captain and Senior Riley Venick explains that the girl are “working pretty hard to win sections for the fourth year in a row.”
Before the season began, it was highly recommended that the girls engage in Coach Rizor’s workouts and practices, which helped them successfully prepare for this season. The team currently practices Monday through Friday, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., unless they have training with Rizor, then it’s 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The only days the girls don’t have practice are game days and the weekends.
Additionally, some of the girls participate in practices at C-Side, an indoor facility where they can practice and work on hitting. This facility is specifically designed and equipped with everything one could need for a personal baseball and softball workout. Members are granted 24-hour access. Practicing outside of workouts builds team bonding because it’s extra time the girls can work out, have fun and practice together.
The backbone of the team are the head coaches Ryan Daloia and Shawn Gray, and the team captains, Seniors Venick, Hanna Suhoski, Ava Montgomery and Remmie Seitz. They help the team work hard in and out of the season.
Aside from the team having a goal to make it to States and WPIALs, the girls have hopes for the team’s performance and are excited to see their progress throughout the season.
Sophomore Maddie Ray states, “My goal for the season is to get better swings and work on my hits, and my main goal is to get a shutout.”
Ray spends most of her time swinging outside and hitting as much as she can outside of practice at C-Side with her good friend, Junior Emma Starr. These two normally train off and on the field together; friendships like these run throughout the team to strengthen the team bond.
Starr says, “My personal goal is to improve my strong fielding skills, including catching fly balls, making accurate throws and fielding grounders. I also want to strengthen my hitting power.”
Catch the girls at their upcoming games on April 28, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., away against Bethel Park, and on April 30 at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Middle School field against Baldwin.
