Penn Hills spring athletes earn postseason honors

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, June 8, 2018 | 8:30 AM

Penn Hills spring sports teams had six athletes who were selected to all-section teams this year — two baseball players and four softball players.

The all-section honors for the Indians during the spring were headlined by senior infielder Anthony Tucci, who was a Section 2-6A first-team selection.

Tucci, who plans to attend CCAC-Boyce, led the Indians with a .442 batting average, seven doubles, one home run, 15 RBIs and 18 runs scored.

“It was a blessing. I came into this year with two goals and a milestone,” he said. “I wanted to receive that all-section award and win a section game. I was able to accomplish both. We wanted to make the playoffs, but that didn't happen. But I was fairly happy with the season.”

Tucci believes a change in his approach led to his improvement at the plate in his final season.

“I hit the weight room and got a little faster and focused on my mechanics and changed out my batting stance. I wasn't trying to crush the ball. It helped me out a lot,” Tucci said.

Before this season, the Indians finished with a 2-31 record under coach Brian Randolph in two seasons. This season, the Indians finished 7-11 overall with a 1-9 mark in Section 2 play under first-year coach Jerry Cammuso.

The Indians finished the season on a high note by winning four of the last five games. Penn Hills defeated Westinghouse, 24-0, on May 4, then lost to Butler, 10-2, on May 7.

The Indians' three game-winning streak to conclude the season included wins over Woodland Hills, Carrick and Allderdice.

“He came in with a drive, and he wanted us to make playoffs. He truly gave us that winning mentality,” Tucci said of Cammuso.

“That was my highlight of my senior season. To finish with three wins in a row was amazing, especially with such a young team. They had my back the whole year.”

Sophomore outfielder/pitcher Cameron Clark, a transfer from Central Catholic, was a Section 2 honorable mention outfielder.

Clark finished with a .385 batting average, with a double, triple, 13 RBIs and 16 runs scored.

With Tucci graduating, the Indians will be built around Clark, sophomore pitcher and infielder Cole Yeager and junior outfielder James Rose.

On the softball field, sophomore outfielder Yasmine Logan led the Indians and was a Section 2 first-team selection. During her freshman season, Logan finished with a .444 batting average and received honorable mention honors.

Logan had three teammates receive honorable mention honors for their play this year.

Freshman shortstop Irylynn Richardson, junior first baseman Makayla Delo and senior pitcher and designated player Jasmine Woodings received honorable mention honors.

The Indians earned their two wins against Allderdice, 17-4 and 24-9.

Penn Hills was shut out in four games this season.

Along with Logan's return, the Indians will look toward the continued growth, with Richardson and Delo supplying senior leadership next season.

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn Hills