Speedy Lady Commodores want to be agressive on the bases
The Lady Commodores’ lineup may not be as powerful as it has been in recent years, but Frazier head coach Paul Harvey is expecting the team to use its speed to make a mark by being aggressive on the bases.
Coming off an 18-4 season last year, including two WPIAL Class A playoff wins, Frazier will be hoping for another big year.
A handful of key players from last year’s team didn’t return. Pitcher Andrea Lash graduated, along with starting shortstop Alexis Livingstone, second baseman Brittany Strothers and outfielders Courtney Domonkos and Erica Harvey.
“I think the biggest obstacle (this year) is not having the bats we had (last year) in the lineup,” Harvey said, “There are some big holes to fill.”
Not only has junior Paige Hotz stepped up as starting pitcher this season, but Harvey also expects she’ll make an impression at the plate.
“She (Hotz) hit four home runs last year,” he recalled, “There are a few other good bats back from last year, too.”
Junior Monica Joseph has been the leading hitter the past two years, and made second team All-State as a freshman. Joseph was a starting outfielder last year and will be making a transition to the infield this year, starting at shortstop.
Joining Hotz and Joseph in the infield will be junior Hanna Kline at first base, and sophomores Kelsey Holp, Alexus Eicher and Miranda Shepler at catcher, third and second base, respectively.
Senior Caitlyn Brown, juniors Jamie Muccioli and Dyanna Shaporka, and sophomore Alena Blaszczak will be holding down the outfield positions this season.
The Lady Commodores have started the season out strong with three Section 2-A wins, and just one loss. Frazier defeated Mapletown (15-0), Jefferson-Morgan (4-3) and Monessen (9-4) in the first three section games of the year, but fell to West Greene, 12-8, on Tuesday. The also lost a non-section game to Cambridge Springs, 12-8.
Frazier is scheduled to host Carmichaels in section play this afternoon. Last season, the Lady Commodores shared the Section 2-A title with the Lady Mikes. This year, Harvey expects Carmichaels to be one of the teams to beat.
“The section’s tough this year,” he said, “There’s Jefferson-Morgan and West Greene. … I’m hoping when it comes down to it, we can make it count.”
Only the top three teams in each section make the playoffs.
“We’ve got a young team this year,” Harvey said, “but the girls are doing a good job, and, with any luck, we’ll make it back to the playoffs.”