Fillies intent on making playoffs
After making the playoffs in 2005, George Kaiser’s Laurel Highlands girls softball team finished fourth in Class AAA Section 2 with a 6-6 record, 9-9 overall. But with that near miss last year and 11 letter-winners returning, including eight seniors, Kaiser’s Fillies are intent on making another appearance in the WPIAL post-season tournament.
“We have some experience, especially at the top of the order,” Kaiser said. “We have senior leadership and a good group of girls who are looking forward to the season. Our sophomores experienced the playoffs two years ago and have developed good practice habits. We appear to be stronger overall offensively and have several players in the outfield who have improved both offensively and defensively.”
Laurel Highlands’ strength starts behind the plate with catcher Megan Wyda, who led the Fillies with a .483 average last year. As a sophomore, Wyda played left field, moved to first base last year, making the all-section team and, last summer caught for her summer-league team.
“It’s her idea,” Kaiser said. “She wanted to catch and definitely has the ability. It’s her third year as a starter and she’s knowledgeable about the game.” Wyda led the team with 28 hits, and added two home runs and a dozen runs batted in.
Two-time all-section left-handed hitting second-baseman Kirsty Buckley returns and will bat third. Buckley batted .426 as a sophomore and .397 last season, adding 15 runs batted in. In 34 games the past two seasons, Buckley has committed only 11 errors in 128 fielding chances.
“Kirsty has good speed and is a good base runner and mentally works hard,” Kaiser said. “She is highly motivated and takes pride in what she does.” Buckley pitched in a Fayette County fast-pitch fall league and will find her name in the pitching rotation this spring.
Laurel Highlands’ number one pitcher will be right-hander Rebecca Williams, who went 6-5 in the circle last year in 71 innings pitched, with a 5.03 ERA and 27 strikeouts.
“She is our most experienced pitcher,” Kaiser said. “She throws strikes and only walked 14 batters. She makes batters put the ball in play. She has increased her velocity and has a good drop pitch.”
In addition to Williams and Buckley, Kaiser can also hand the ball to Stephanie Martin, a right-hander who went 3-2 last year with a 2.94 ERA and 28 strikeouts and a dozen walks in 36 innings pitched.
A pair of .300 hitters, first baseman Ashley Haragos, who batted .317 and led the team with 17 runs batted in, and all-section shortstop Jackie Gaddis, who hit .306 with 14 RBIs, will solidify the infield. Gaddis will bat leadoff and Haragos, a solid line-drive hitter, fourth or fifth.
In the outfield will be seniors Hannah Holchin and Chelsea Grimm.
Sophomore Christina Cerullo worked her way into the lineup last year, batting .345 as a freshman. Cerullo will be at third base.
Laurel Highlands’ other returning letter-winners are junior outfielder Jen Thomas and sophomore outfielder Shelby Thompson.
“The key to our season will be making the routine plays on defense, improving our overall defense and cutting down on our strikeouts,” Kaiser said.
Exhibition play for the Mustangs begins Friday at Carmichaels, with section play starting March 27 at Derry. Kaiser expects Greensburg Salem, Franklin Regional and Yough to be three of the top teams in the section, “but we should be right there with them,” he said.