Highlands softball looking for postseason success

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, March 15, 2018 | 8:04 PM

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For the Highlands softball team, it's time to walk the walk.

Coming off a disappointing first-round loss to No. 4 Ambridge in last season's WPIAL Class 4A playoffs, Highlands returns five starters who still carry that defeat deep in the pits of their stomachs.

“(The loss) still bugs me a little bit because I know personally I could have done better because I know that I didn't play my best game,” said senior pitcher Emily Cochran, a Mt. Aloysius commit. “It would be a season to remember to get (past) the first round (of the playoffs). A lot of teams do doubt us, but no one really sees what we have inside and outside the lines.”

Highlands finished the Section 1-4A schedule with four straight losses and was fortunate to even reach the postseason.

The Rams hung on to finish in a two-way tie for fourth place with Derry.

“I honestly feel like we are going to make a (postseason) run because it's not all about one person,” Cochran said.

It takes all nine players to win a game, but an ace in the circle is paramount if a team has postseason aspirations.

If the Rams are going to make a run, it's going to begin and end with Cochran's performance in the circle and her ability to stay healthy.

“Emily is going to be our top pitcher this year,” said Highlands coach Jennifer Koprivnikar, who is in her fifth season. “We have more pitching this year.”

The good news for Highlands is Cochran is the healthiest she's been since her freshman year.

The Rams also have a promising hurler in sophomore Kaitlyn Jones. Freshman Joie Beacom and senior third baseman/catcher Tori Lohler can also pitch if needed.

The Highlands infield is expected to be much improved from last season. Senior Emily Bush is expected to get the nod at catcher, with junior Bailey Beacom at first base, senior Natalie Gentile at second and junior Morgan Oravitz at shortstop. Oravitz is expected to have a big year at shortstop.

Lohler will see most of her time at third base, but freshman Kylie Zourelias could get some playing time there, as well.

“Our infield is going to be solid,” Koprivnikar said. “The seniors are really gonna step up for us this year, and we're banking on senior leadership.”

One of the glaring holes in the Rams' defense last year was in the outfield. Junior Anna Holsing, Gentile and sophomore speedster Sarah Sawhook will be in the outfield. When she's not in the circle, Cochran will see time in center field and Sawhook will slide over to left field.

“The outfield is where we needed some help last year,” Koprivnikar said.

Koprivnikar said this team has the potential to be the best hitting team she's coached in her five seasons at Highlands. She said Cochran is the Rams' top hitter returning.

Cochran is expected to bat leadoff with Sawhook second, followed by Gentile, Lohler and Bush in the middle of the lineup. Koprinikar still has question marks when it comes to the bottom of the lineup.

“The seniors that are here are big hitters,” Koprivnikar said. “They just need to keep going and not get down on themselves.”

Koprivnikar mentioned her players have a quiet confidence in nearly everything they do and hopes it carries over to the regular season.

“I think we're going to have a decent season and make the playoffs, but our section's tough,” Koprivnikar said.

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

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