Girls softball
Once again, Connellsville will challenge in Section 3 CONNELLSVILLE – The Connellsville softball team enters the 2003 season looking once again to challenge for the Section 3-AAA title.
The Lady Falcons finished as co-champs a year ago with Elizabeth-Forward and lost in the first round of the playoffs to Hempfield.
Some changes were made to the section this year. Elizabeth-Forward and Belle Vernon moved to Class AA. Hempfield, and Greensburg Salem will replace them.
Head coach Rich Carbonara must replace seniors, Sara Pockstaller, Erin Whitelach and Lori Hensel.
Carbonara said, “Lori Hensel will be tough to replace because of her leadership, and she had one of the better batting averages on the team.”
Carbonara will have plenty of experience returning with several letter winners on the squad. Natalie Bukovac, Heather Rulli, Ashley Whipkey, Brittany Mancini, Dina Leighty, Kerri Hiles, Nicole Brown and Christina Grove all saw plenty of playing time last year.
One positive this spring, in addition to having more experience, is the weather has been cooperative allowing the team to get outside, to better simulate game conditions.
“We’ve been able to have a couple of scrimmages against Latrobe and Southmoreland. I’ve seen some encouraging signs from the girls so far this spring,” Carbonara said.
As with all teams, pitching and defense will be the keys to the Lady Falcons’ success this season. Kerri Hiles is expected to carry the bulk of the load on the mound. On the days she doesn’t go, Whipkey is expected to get the call. Carbonara pointed out he would like to see his offense improve by the time they get into section play.
Coaches always look for a few surprises during the pre-season. For the Lady Falcons it might come in the form of Freshmen Rachel Means and Lindsay O’Donnell. Both are expected to start at key positions, Means at short, and O’Donnell at second.
“I had a few concerns about the freshmen when we started pre-season drills,” Carbonara said. “The more I watch them play, I’m becoming less concerned. They are very athletic and will improve with more experience”.
Looking to the rest of his line-up. Carbonara plans to have Bukovac behind the plate. “She’s our captain and will have to step up to be the leader and steady the team on the field,” Carbonara said.
Whipkey will be at third, Rulli at first, Leighty will be in right field, Nicole Stillwagon in center and Christina Brooks and Christina Grove will share time in left. Mancini, Brown and Elizabeth Tetil will also see plenty of time in reserve roles.
Carbonara sees the section race as wide open. In addition to the Lady Falcons, Hempfield will be one of the teams to beat. “Hempfield is young this year, but they’ve always had a solid program. Albert Gallatin, and Laurel Highlands will be improved this year,” Carbonara said. Uniontown and Greensburg Salem will round out the section.
Carbonara says that if the Lady Falcons play up to their capabilities, they should be able to compete with anyone this season.
The schedule: Today Ringgold, March 27 Mt. Pleasant, March 28 at Beth-Center, March 31 Penn-Trafford, April 2 at Chartiers-Houston, April 4 Greensburg Salem, April 7 at Hempfield, April 9 at Laurel Highlands, April 11 Uniontown, April 14 at Albert Gallatin, April 16 at Latrobe, April 21Waynesburg, April 23 Norwin, April 25 at Greensburg Salem, April 28 Hempfield, April 30 Laurel Highlands, May 2 at Uniontown, May 5 Albert Gallatin, May 8 Elizabeth-Forward and May 9 Greensburg Central Catholic.