A-K Valley athletes of the week: Deer Lakes’ Laney Dineff, Highlands’ Kristian Kocon

By: Ted Sarneso
Saturday, March 29, 2025 | 4:11 PM

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Laney Dineff

School: Deer Lakes

Class: Junior

Sport: Softball

Claim to fame: As a starting pitcher, Dineff earned two wins this week. First, in a 6-5 win over Freeport on Monday, she gave up one run on four hits, surrendered three walks and struck out four in three innings. Dineff also went 2 for 4 at the plate with a double and an RBI. She scored the winning run on a passed ball. Then, on Thursday, Dineff threw 3 1/3 innings of shutout ball with three hits and two walks in a 5-2 win against Hopewell. At the plate, she walked and scored a run.

What did the team learn after some tough losses to open the season in Tennessee?

We played some tough teams in Tennessee, and we decided that coming back, it was a new location, new start to the season, a new us. Considering what we did in Tennessee, we knew we’d have to come out strong.

After a rough start to the season, how did it feel to get in the win column?

I was super excited that we were able to come together as a team. Everyone on the team really worked hard for those wins as we came back from Tennessee.

What was it like being the pitcher of record in those victories?

It was truly an exciting experience. I love the other pitcher I’m pitching with, Ella Thomas; it’s really fun to pitch with her and she’s a very strong pitcher.

What was your game plan going up against Freeport?

They are a great program. We wanted to focus on forgetting what happens in the past, where we struggled to play against them. But we’re a different team this year. We do not have the same pitcher and catcher from last year, and we’re an overall different team with new coaches, so it’s a different approach.

How important was it having your defense behind you in that game?

It’s very comforting to know, as pitchers, that there is a strong defensive group behind us to scoop up any ball we allow into play.

You scored the game-winning run on a passed ball. How did you get on base?

I singled, and I knew that we needed to score. Our coaches always preach aggressive baserunning, getting that extra 60 feet. I knew that when I got into scoring position, that I had to score and that we needed to take this game now.

Did you feel better leaving the mound against Hopewell after not allowing a run?

Yes, I definitely did. I was excited that we had a solid opportunity as well to come back in that game.

How did you score your run against Hopewell?

We had the bases loaded, and I was at third when their pitcher walked the batter, so I walked home.

What do you do to get focused before you head out to the circle to begin a game?

I mainly talk everything through with my catcher, make sure we’re on the same page. In between innings, with my pitching coach, Coach George, we talk through what was working the inning before and what would be a good strategy against whatever batters are next up.

What are your thoughts on the section this year?

This is a very new section for us, but we do know a few of the teams and that Burrell is going to be good competition for us. I’m excited to play and our team has a lot of potential. Everyone has a strong passion for the game.

Which opponent do you look forward to playing against the most?

I’m really excited to play Burrell. I know it’s going to be a really tough game for us, and I want to see how we battle through it. I’m very optimistic of the outcome.

Is pitcher the only position you play?

No, I also play outfield, both left and center field. Last year I played more center field.

What are the team’s goals?

Be more together as a unit, have no drama and have everyone gain back confidence, hit well and play solid defense.

What are your individual goals for the season?

When I’m pitching, to assert dominance, begin each at-bat by throwing strikes and make it easy on my defense.

Do you have a favorite college softball team you like to watch?

It used to be Alabama with Montana Fouts and Ally Shipman, but I love watching Tennessee with Karlyn Pickens and her new record fastest pitch in the NCAA. She’s a really good pitcher.

What’s your favorite part of the change in the weather?

I love when the weather warms up, it’s such a fun experience to play softball in the warmer weather. We have an amazing field now, where we can play in almost anything, but the warmer weather is my favorite.

How long can you go without your phone?

I can go pretty long. A few months ago, I did a challenge with my parents, where I let them take my phone for an entire day. I went the whole day with no communication.

What song is guaranteed to get you dancing?

Anything by Taylor Swift. I’m a very big fan of hers.

Do you have a favorite subject in school?

Math. I love numbers, just always been something I’m good at.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I play volleyball as well. I love the differences between the sports. I love hanging out with my friends and family, anything with big groups of people.

Kristian Kocon

School: Highlands

Class: Senior

Sport: Baseball

Claim to fame: On Tuesday, Kocon pitched a shutout, allowing four hits and one walk with nine strikeouts in a 4-0 win over Shady Side Academy. At the plate, Kocon was 1 for 2 with a home run and three RBIs. Kocon was the designated hitter Thursday in an 8-2 win over Riverview. He went 2 for 3 with a run scored.

What was working for you in the game against Shady Side?

My slider felt perfect, and it was probably the best I ever felt from a pitching standpoint. I could feel all my mechanics working.

Did you have a sense you could go the full seven innings?

The first couple of innings, I felt good, but wasn’t sure if I was going to go the full game. After about the fourth inning, I was more confident that I was going the full seven.

What made you uneasy about getting the complete game early on?

There was an error in the first or second inning, and it sort of got me worried a bit that something like that could happen again later on and I might have to leave, but other than that, felt pretty good.

Can you describe the home run?

I was going up there trying to hit a gap shot and get on base. I had no intention of hitting a home run at all. When I made contact, it felt good, and I didn’t think it was going to leave the yard. It ended up going over the fence.

What was the message for the team heading into the Riverview game knowing they hadn’t allowed a run to that point?

Before the game we were looking at their stats and saw they hadn’t given up a run. We were kind of nervous going in but knew if we put up one good earned run on them, we felt we might have the chance to get in their heads.

What clicked in the sixth that you scored seven runs?

We got a couple hits off their starting pitcher, which forced them to make a change and after that we all started getting hits. We had a couple singles, and I think two or three doubles.

You were the designated hitter in that game against Riverview. Do you play any other positions when you’re not pitching?

My sophomore and freshman years I was a shortstop, but the last two years, I’ve been in the outfield and have played some games at second.

What were your hits in that game?

I had two singles. The first was a for-sure double over the third baseman’s head, but he got a glove on it to knock it down, and my second hit was right back up the middle.

Do you have a specific pregame routine when you’re on the mound?

When I’m on the mound, my coaches are really good about this, they give me a sheet where all I have to do is follow the sheet and I follow that up with some band work and other stretches. But other than that, they give me everything I need to get loose.

What were the team goals heading into the season?

Coming into the year, we weren’t sure what was going to happen because we’ve had some bad seasons the past two years, but once we won that first game, it’s been smooth sailing. The main goal was to just make the playoffs.

What goals did you set for yourself?

To make all-section first team and increase my batting average form last year.

What else did you feel you needed to work on coming into the season?

Pitching-wise, I wanted to do way better than I had the last couple of years. It wasn’t that I did bad, but I felt I could be better.

What’s your mindset like on the mound?

I like to rush them and try to keep them off balance as much as I can.

Favorite baseball team and/or player?

I’m not big into Major League Baseball right now, but I have to say Paul Skenes.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

Baseball.

Do you have a favorite subject in school?

Gym or math.

If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?

Flight. I’ve always wanted to be able to fly.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I like to play basketball, video games. I like to lift, and I just started fishing a couple of years ago.

What are your future plans?

I am committed to Pitt-Bradford. I’ll be a pitcher up there.

Have you picked what you want to study?

Something in business. I might switch it later, but for right now it’s business.

Tags: Deer Lakes, Highlands