Clay hoping bigger roster leads to more wins for Lady Raiders
Uniontown has 34 girls in its softball program, the most it’s had in years. Now it’s hoping for an increase in wins. “Every year I have high hopes for the girls,” said coach Harold Clay. “Maybe this will be the year.”
Uniontown started with a 3-2 record, but a similar start last year evaporated quickly. After starting the 2002 season 3-1, Uniontown finished 3-13.
“The girls have another year of experience though,” said Clay, whose team is still quite young. Only two seniors and two juniors start in the sophomore-dominated lineup.
“Overall I think we’re making better contact hitting the ball; we’re putting the ball in play better than we did last year,” Clay said. “Defensively, we’re about the same. We have a pretty decent defense.”
The two seniors are four-year players who play important positions: Emily Fisher is the shortstop and Tricia Handy is the second baseman.
“They’ve, at one time or another, made the all-county team in their three years with the varsity,” Clay said. “They’re very dedicated players who never miss any practices and put for a 100-percent effort. They’ll be the key to our middle infield.”
Clay couldn’t say enough good things about the improvement of his sophomore class, the most important of which is pitcher Brittany Clark, who takes over the role of ace.
“She’s improved greatly, as have her defensive skills,” Clay said.
Sophomore catcher Maggie Petruska has also improved. She’s already thrown out two would-be base stealers to shore up a weakness from a year ago.
Sophomores also start on the corners. Meghan McConville is at first base and last year’s batting leader, Holly Sisler, plays third base.
In the outfield, speedy junior Ashley Grohal patrols right field and first-year junior Amber Collins improves daily in left field. Freshman Stacey Rigger plays center field and is hitting as well as any veteran.
The top reserves are Jennifer Dawson in the outfield and Sandy Risha and freshman Katy Fisher in the infield. Autumn Stone is the team’s pinch runner.
Uniontown’s assistant coaches are Todd Becchiolla, Paul Jeffries and Wendy Roycroft.
“Last year we won one section game and we’d like to win a few more, of course,” Clay said. “With Hempfield and Connellsville in the section, there are two perennial powers. Laurel Highlands, I wouldn’t count them out, and Albert Gallatin has a lot of experience. All of the section games will be extremely tough.”