A-K Valley athletes of the week: Plum’s Riley Stephans, Kiski Area’s Nate Witt

By: Bill Hartlep
Saturday, April 27, 2024 | 1:31 PM

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Riley Stephans

School: Plum

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Softball

Report card: Plum sophomore Riley Stephans tossed two no-hitters and a two-hitter this week in leading the Mustangs (9-4, 6-3) to three victories. On Monday, she allowed zero hits and struck out 10 in four innings in a 15-0 win over Oakland Catholic. On Wednesday, she tossed a two-hitter and struck out nine batters, allowing one unearned run in a 4-1 victory over first-place Shaler in Section 1-5A. On Friday, she hit a homer, struck out 13 and no-hit Penn Hills in a 7-0 win. Last year, she had a 3.79 ERA with 92 strikeouts and also hit .435 with six homers and 27 RBIs in earning second-team all-section and Valley News Dispatch honors. She also plays basketball for Plum.

How did the team play Friday against Penn Hills?

I think we played pretty good. We didn’t hit as good as we did the first game. I think we had the hits whenever we needed them and put them in the right spot. It all pulled together.

What was going well for you this week with two no-hitters and a two-hitter?

My pitching definitely felt on this week. I think it’s that I’ve been working more on my spin pitches and my location in practices. It’s been paying off.

What are your strengths while pitching?

I don’t like to breathe a lot. I like to go fast and rapid fire. I don’t really take a break on the mound unless my coach comes out. I don’t know if it speeds the game up more, but I get in a groove. Going faster works better for me. It did this week.

What are some things the team is doing well at this point in the season?

Our defense has been amazing. The plays we’ve been making have been (great). It got so much better compared to the beginning the year and last year. It’s improved a lot.

What are the team’s goals the rest of the way?

Definitely, to win the first round of playoffs because of what happened last year (8-6 loss to Thomas Jefferson in the first round).

What will it take to advance in the playoffs?

Just being all in in the game and making routine plays and hitting gaps. Obviously, no one hits perfectly all the time, but I think we just need to hit when we have people on base.

How did you get started playing softball?

I’ve been playing since I was like 5-6. It’s been a long time.

What made you want to be a pitcher?

My dad (Justin) introduced it to me. I just remember him asking me if I wanted to throw in the back yard. We got a pitching coach. It all went from there.

How does playing basketball help with softball?

Definitely the conditioning. That helps a lot. I didn’t get to practice any softball during basketball this season. I was just really busy. I had a couple injuries this year so I didn’t have time to work in the offseason.

Do you have a favorite home-cooked meal?

Probably my mom’s chicken. It’s pretty good.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?

Applebee’s.

Do you have any travel plans this summer?

Hilton Head at the beach.

Who’s the toughest batter you’ve faced?

Toryn Fulton from Franklin Regional. She hits everything and anything. She just knows how to hit the ball.

What is something people might not know about you?

I like to hunt. I haven’t shot anything yet. I just like going.

Nate Witt

School: Kiski Area

Class: Senior

Sport: Baseball

Report card: Senior third baseman Nate Witt was a catalyst as Kiski Area’s baseball team scored three wins this week, sweeping Knoch in Section 4-4A and earning a nonsection win over Franklin Regional to move to 8-5 overall and 5-3 in section play. The captain, who was a second-team all-section pick in 2023, had two RBIs in a 4-3 win over Knoch on Monday. On Tuesday, he was 3 for 4 with two doubles and six RBIs. Then, on Thursday he doubled in a 7-2 win over the Panthers. Witt also was a second-team Valley News Dispatch all-star in soccer in the fall when he had 12 goals.

How did the team play this week in the three wins?

Really good. Our pitchers, Dom (Hand) and Austin (Bachar) in the second Knoch game, did a really good job and also our first game’s pitchers. We hit really good and got runs when we needed. We also had momentum in all the games.

What was going well for you at the plate?

The people in front of me did a really good job in getting on. I just did my job in getting them in. We also have very good hitters driving me in.

Was six RBIs in Tuesday’s game a career high for you?

I’m pretty sure. I just came in at the right time. I think my second at-bat, there was one on second and first. The last at-bat, the bases were loaded and I doubled to left to bring them in.

What are some things the team is doing well at this point in the season?

The team’s strength is we do a lot of the little things right. Coach (Michael Manning) says if we do little things right, big wins will come. This week it really showed. Everyone has to do their job in order for us to succeed.

What are the team’s goals this season?

We clinched playoffs with that win over Knoch. Our goal now is to make a deep run in the playoffs.

What will it take to advance in the playoffs?

It’s going to take everyone on our team having full focus and all of us doing what we’ve been doing this whole season.

How did you get started playing baseball?

I started when I was 5 or 6. I just loved it.

How does playing soccer help with baseball?

The conditioning and the athletic part of soccer definitely helps with baseball, especially at third base and running the bases.

What are your plans for next fall?

I will be attending N.C. State. I was fortunate enough to get a four-year scholarship for NROTC (Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps). I visited N.C. State last summer and really liked the feel. I thought it would be a good fit for me.

What do you plan to study?

Civil engineering. I’m just a big math and science person. I felt that fit me right.

Are you involved in any other activities at Kiski Area?

I’m in some clubs — Cavalier leadership council, Key club, NHS and math team.

Do you have a favorite home-cooked meal?

I really enjoy pasta.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?

Meatheads (Pub & Eatery).

Who has the best nickname on the team?

Jason Buczak. We call him Gibs.

Who’s the toughest pitcher you’ve faced?

Last year it was (Ryan) Apaliski on Hampton. He struck us out a lot.

What is something people might not know about you?

That I like to golf with my friends in my spare time. I go to Vandergrift (Golf Course) and the Links at Spring Church. I also work at Oakmont County Club.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Kiski Area, Plum