Apr 2, 2018 By Kevin Harrison for The 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE TWP. — Geibel Catholic girls softball coach Rich Carbonara would like to see his Lady Gators take another step forward this season.

Carbonara enters his fourth season with the Lady Gators, and will rely heavily on his four seniors that he has had since they were freshmen.

“This is a very special senior class,” Carbonara said. “I’ve been with them since day one and watched them grow into fine ballplayers.”

Among the seniors are Gillian Yourish, Gabby Yourish, Lynn Hamborsky and Jessica Wolfe.

“My main concern is Gabby Yourish, who is nursing an injury and hasn’t been released by the doctor,” Carbonara said. “She is my starting catcher. Hopefully, she can rejoin us soon.”

Looking at his other seniors, Carbonara said Hamborsky, an All-County player, will be in center, Wolfe will be in right and Gillian Yourish will be at shortstop. He said Gabby Yourish could also fill the left field slot if she is not behind the plate.

Carbonara is concerned with the lack of numbers on the squad with only 11 players to work with, so staying healthy will be a top priority.

“I think I have some athletic girls, I just don’t have enough of them,” Carbonara said.

Despite the low numbers, he thinks he has enough talent and experience to pick up a few more games in Section 3, 1A. Defending section champ Leechburg is expected to be tough once again.

St.Joseph, Bishop Canevin, Riverview, Jeanette and Ellis School, along with the Lady Gators are looking to improve.

“We have some long bus rides in this section, but we’ll get out there and play and do the best we can,” Carbonara said.

Carbonara knows one of the keys towards improvement will be how well his pitching holds up. He says that has been a concern in previous years, but he has more confidence in the girls entering the circle this year.

He will rely on another All-County player in Taylor Hennesey, and Maria Ruggieri. Both are sophomores.

Looking at the rest of his lineup, Carbonara said it looks like Hannah Hampshire will open in left. Haley Riggin will be at first, Sarah Eckhart at second and Kaylen Stevenson at third.

Carbonara is expecting the Lady Gators to be more productive at the plate this season.

“They have a better understanding on how to handle the bat and not letting themselves get too deep in the count,” Carbonara said. “I think they have a better understanding of the strike zone coming into the season.”

Carbonara said he would like to see the Lady Gators more consistent in making the fundamental play defensively.

“We were in several games last season where failure to make the routine play cost us,” he said. “This year, I look for us to correct those mistakes, which should produce a few more wins. I’m looking for us to be at least a .500 ball club, which is a realistic goal for the program at this time.”