Penn-Trafford softball hopes to break playoff drought next season

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, May 25, 2018 | 11:00 PM

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Penn-Trafford's softball team thought this was the year.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, their season ended with another loss in the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals. It marks the fourth year in a row Penn-Trafford has dropped a WPIAL quarterfinal game.

“It hit us pretty hard,” Penn-Trafford coach Denny Little said of the team's 7-4 setback to Thomas Jefferson.

After graduating eight seniors, the Warriors adjusted to their new roles quickly and tied Franklin Regional for the Section 1 title at 12-2. However, the team struggled in the postseason.

“It definitely is a different game in the playoffs. We were prepared, though,” Little said. “We probably played our worst game. We played at a very high level all year with minimal errors and hit the ball all year. That changed when we got into the playoffs. They just played better than us. That was it.”

The Warriors reached the semifinals in 2014, but have not been able to get back to that point since.

“Getting playoff wins is the goal every year. The shame is we've lost in the quarterfinals since 2015, and we've had a very high seed the past couple years,” Little said. “I don't know what to blame it on. Is it nerves? I don't know what it is.”

Nevertheless, Penn-Trafford, which finished 16-4 overall, returns a majority of the team and won't have to rebuild like it did this year. The squad graduates seniors Maura Mallon, Emma Nedley, Marissa Auel, Sammy Smith and Becky Mertz. All five played prominent roles.

“Every year, you lose some good kids. We do have a lot coming back, and they have some big shoes to fill,” Little said. “We did have a lot of first-time players with varsity experience. It's nice to get them back, and we'll look for positive things from them as always.”

Juniors Carlee Lamacz (catcher), Morgan Nedley (shortstop) and Emma Armstrong (first base), a Hartford recruit, will return to the infield, along with sophomore Jess Lichota (third base). Sophomore pitchers Morgan Hilty and Sami Schickel will return, along with freshmen outfielders Allie Prady and Emma Little and freshman designated player Brooke Cleland.

“There was definite growth. We had three freshmen who contributed a lot, and they got a lot of valuable experience,” Denny Little said.

“Our sophomore pitchers grew a lot over the year and had some great wins. Emma Armstrong and Morgan Nedley really came into their own this year, too. We'll come in with high expectations next year, and we'll have to fulfill them, that's all.”

The Warriors look forward to coming back strong next season.

“We're going to get right back at it. They will take some time off and then work with their summer teams and a lot of our girls play other sports, which will help make them stronger and faster, too,” Denny Little said. “It's just a disappointing time right now. We'll come back at it, though. We have a lot of young girls coming back that got a lot of valuable experience.

“I've been coaching 24 years and, if I had to do it all over again, I would. They are just a great group of kids, and I enjoyed coaching them.”

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn-Trafford