Apr 8, 2006 By Jim Wexell For The 3 min read

Belle Vernon has to be the sloppiest 4-1 team in the history of girls’ softball. That’s saying something. Then again, the Leopards are 4-1.

“I thought our defense was going to be one of our strong points, but we’ve really struggled in the field,” said coach Tom Rodriguez. “First we had 11 errors, then five, then two, then one, and just when I’m thinking we’ve turned it around, the last game we had 10 errors. We won, in 10 innings, but that’s one error an inning.

“I thought defense would be our strong point and hitting would be the weak point, but the hitting’s been okay, considering the pitching we’ve faced. And our pitching’s been okay. We’ve been alright there. But the defense, I don’t know what to do to make it right.”

Um, how about lineup changes?

“The same kids who are making errors turn around and make spectacular plays,” Rodriguez said. “The other kids don’t play consistently either. I can’t get consistency from anybody. I don’t know if the kids aren’t focused or what. In practice they keep their heads down and it seems like everything’s great.”

So, what about the field? Is it the typical Western Pennsylvania minefield?

“The other team played on the same field,” he said. “We can’t make any excuses.”

Rodriguez had hoped the problem solved itself before Friday’s Section 4-AAA opener at Uniontown that was rained out. He said the team’s as ready as it’s going to be.

“We should be in every game,” Rodriguez said. “I expect to be right in there the last game of the year and hopefully win the section. If the defense holds up, I think we’ll be fine. If not, we’ll be in trouble.”

So far, the pitching has carried Belle Vernon. Ashley Merella stepped in for four-year starter Corey Baron and has done well. In the 10-error win over Mt. Pleasant, Merella gave up two hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. Guess how many of the runs were unearned?

Merella, a senior, pitched half the games last season and was 6-3 with a 0.95 ERA. She’ll split exhibition duty with junior Dena Mornak.

The leading hitter from last season is back: Third baseman Sarah Jolley hit .405 and is back as the clean-up hitter and off to a fast start, but the next four hitters from last season have graduated. Shortstop Brooke Panepinto is playing at Robert Morris. First baseman Amber Dongilli is playing at Pitt-Greensburg. Julie Lacey and defensive whiz Megan Mascara have also graduated.

Belle Vernon finished second to McGuffey last season, and both teams will contend again, along with Elizabeth-Forward.

The Belle Vernon batting order at the moment is: Kayla Nuccetelli, 1B; Emily Scapes, SS; Ashley Dawson, DP; Jolley; Morella; Mornak, RF; Briana McClintock, LF; Heather Sellew, C; Megan Chadwell, CF; Ashley Fiorvanti, 2B.

Young reserves are Alana Lacey, Apryl Patterson and Ashley Nichols.