A-K Valley athletes of the week: Deer Lakes’ Josh Probst, Leechburg’s Aubry Skeel

By: William Whalen
Tuesday, April 16, 2019 | 5:29 PM

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Josh Probst

School: Deer Lakes

Class: Senior

Sport: Baseball

Report card: Probst was key for No. 2 Deer Lakes (4-3, 4-0) last week. A team captain, Probst paced the Lancers’ offense with a bases-clearing double in a 10-6 win over Section 1-3A rival Burrell. Probst also drove in the tying run and scored the winning run in the seventh inning of a 3-2 win over Steel Valley. Probst carries a .405 batting average, with 15 hits, three doubles, a triple and a home run.

How long have you been playing baseball?

I’ve been playing since I was 3 years old. I played for Middle Road Athletic Association.

How important was it to finish last week undefeated?

It was very important. I felt like we were kind of the underdogs. To get wins over Burrell and Steel Valley really helped show what kind of ball team we are.

Deer Lakes dropped down from Class 4A to 3A. How has the competition been?

It’s still pretty tough. It’s definitely not as a hard of a section that we had last year, but it’s still good competition. I feel like it’s a good move for us.

Can Deer Lakes make it out of the first round of the playoffs this season?

Oh, 100 percent I believe so. If we can keep playing the way we are and coming together as a team, we can for sure.

How is this year’s team different than last year’s team?

We lost a lot of good guys and a lot of our starters. We have a whole new team this year. We don’t have the depth that we did last year.

How does it feel to be ranked No. 2 in Class 3A?

It feels great. I really felt like we were the underdogs and people didn’t feel too highly of us. We worked hard in the offseason. It feels fantastic for sure.

Is there a game on the schedule that you have circled?

Freeport for sure. That’s definitely a big one. It’s a competitive game, let’s put it that way.

Who is the most underrated player on the team?

I’d have to say junior Andrew Bokulich. He always puts in the work. He has a batting cage in his backyard. He’s always looking to get better.

If you could have walk-up music to the plate, what song would you use?

There’s so many choices, I’d have to say, “All I Do Is Win,” by DJ Khaled. It gets me in the right mindset.

How many games will the Pittsburgh Pirates win this year?

Wow, I think they’re underrated actually. I’d say 80-plus games.

Who is your favorite Pirate?

Francisco Cervelli.

Which MLB catcher do you look up to?

Yadier Molina.

You share the same last name as “Survivor” show host Jeff Probst. Do people bring that up?

When I was younger, one of my coaches used to call me “Survivor” because of the show.

Who would be the first player on the team voted off the island?

Probably senior Greg Geis. He’s a very likable guy, but he’s just a goofball.

Do you have any baseball superstitions?

Over the years, I’ve had a few. I would always just get dressed the same way. You gotta do the socks, then the shirt and then the pants.

What’s your favorite subject at school?

Probably gym or wood (shop) class.

What are you going to do after high school?

I’m not really sure. I’m thinking about going to community college and just taking general studies. I hope to play baseball there, as well.

What is something interesting about you nobody knows?

Not a lot of people know that I’m pretty good at juggling.

What do you juggle?

I juggle just your regular juggling balls, juggling rings and basketballs. I did butter knives, as well.

Aubry Skeel

School: Leechburg

Class: Senior

Sport: Softball

Report card: Skeel was perfect at the plate last week for No. 2 Leechburg (6-0, 5-0). She went 8 for 8, including two doubles and five RBIs, in the Blue Devils’ wins over Section 3-A rivals Springdale and Ellis School. The first baseman holds a .667 batting average, three doubles, one homer and 10 RBIs on the season. Skeel also started at center for the Blue Devils’ basketball team, where she led the team in rebounds and finished second in scoring.

How long have you been playing softball and is softball your main sport?

I would say that softball is my main sport. I’ve been playing since I was 7.

How much fun was last week’s 19-11 win over section rival Springdale?

It was a rush. It was anxiety mixed with excitement. It was the best game all season.

How does last year’s loss to West Greene in the Class A semifinals drive this team?

It drives us to do better this year. We want to make it all the way. It’s really showed how us how to fix our errors. We’re a strong hitting team; we just need to pick each other up, which we’re good at.

How does the Class A No. 2 ranking feel?

We’ve worked for it. It feels really amazing. It shows you got to earn it and that you just don’t get stuff handed to you.

Leechburg has reached the postseason for 32 consecutive years. Is there a lot of pressure to keep the streak going?

Yeah, this year especially because Emma Ritchie replaced our pitcher Morgan Pierce. We’ve been doing it for so long.

Is there a game on the schedule that you have circled?

Right now, our focus is on Greensburg Central Catholic (on Tuesday).

Do you have any gameday softball superstitions?

Before every game, our coach gives us quotes, and I feel like we do really good if we fold them up and put them in our back pocket. Before I go up to bat, I make McKenna Pierce rub my bat.

Who is the most underrated player on the team?

I would say our right fielder, Skylar Raypush. She’s our slap hitter on the team and bats last.

If you could have walk-up music to the plate, what song would you use?

AC/DC “Thunderstruck,” that’s my coach’s favorite song. That’s the song we play before our games.

Do you have a favorite softball school?

If I would, it would be Carlow.

How much fun was this year’s Cager Classic All-Star basketball game?

It was really fun. It was fun to meet all of the new girls. It was good to get one last high school basketball game in. I really miss it. I’d do it again.

What’s your favorite subject at school?

Math. I already have all of my math credit for this year.

What are your plans for after high school?

I’m gonna attend UPMC St. Margaret’s nursing program to become a registered nurse. It’s a 16-month program.

What is something interesting about you nobody knows?

I’m like an open book. I’m functioning with no ACL. They wanted me to get surgery before basketball season and I said, “It’s was my senior year, no way.”

— William Whalen

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Deer Lakes, Leechburg