Brentwood softball eyes return trip to playoffs

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, April 7, 2018 | 1:27 AM

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Brentwood returned to the WPIAL softball playoffs last season after a three-year absence.

With seven returning starters, the Spartans are gearing for another possible postseason run this spring.

Veteran coach Jen Ditoro welcomed back pitcher Brittany Stewart, catcher Abby Wolf, first baseman Taylor Kottler, second baseman Sierra Powers, outfielders Jaden Schwartz and Jessica Hines; plus Tia Cerminara, the Spartans' designated player in several games in 2017.

Stewart, Kottler, Powers and Cerminara, who is penciled in at third base this year, are seniors. Wolf is one of two juniors on the team; Schwartz and Hines are sophomores.

“We are a pretty young team,” said the left-handed Kottler, a fourth-year starter. “My expectations are to make the playoffs for the second year in a row, as well as be a solid competitor in our section. We also want to keep our team chemistry at a high.”

Kottler also was a member of the girls basketball team at Brentwood. She owns a 4.2 GPA, is a National Honor Society member, and plans to attend Duquesne to study sociology/criminal justice.

“As a senior, I hope to be a role model for the younger girls,” Kottler said, “along with helping lead the team throughout the season.”

Stewart, a right-handed hurler, is another fourth-year starter. She played shortstop as a freshman, but has been in the pitcher's circle since then.

“This being my last season, I hope for our team to have a lot of success and have a lot of fun doing it,” Stewart said. “My personal goals are to increase my batting (average) and on-base percentage, and to also work on my strikeout-to-walk ratio.

“I've been working on a couple different pitches this year, and hopefully I can get them down for games.”

Stewart is an honor roll student with a 3.9 GPA. She plans to major in business at Duquesne.

This will be her third season pitching to Wolf, who like her batterymate also plays basketball and volleyball.

“Abby is a tough competitor. She has become adept at keeping Brittany composed, and has aided her in hitting her spots,” said Ditoro last season. “She is tough to out-run once she has the ball in her hands.

“Brittany is a much more confident pitcher, and is not afraid to use all the pitches in her arsenal.”

Stewart said her best pitches are her fastball and change-up.

Other integral players for Brentwood this season include junior infielder Brooke McQuillan, sophomore outfielder Carly Vickless, and freshmen outfielders Sidney Wuenschell and Beatrice Cook.

Rounding out the club are sophomores Ava Dorrance, Kylie Hammond, Kayla Kacsuta and Kaylie March; along with freshman prospect Paige Miller.

Brentwood improved from a 2-12 record in 2016 to a WPIAL playoff qualifier in 2017.

“It's an exciting time for our girls and the program,” Ditoro said. “Much emphasis has been in fostering our team culture to be one of positivity, and emphasizing the importance a ‘team first' mentality.”

The Spartans finished fourth in Section 1-2A with a 5-5 record, behind Seton LaSalle (9-1), Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (7-3) and Serra Catholic (7-3).

“Our main goal was to make the playoffs,” Stewart said. “My expectations (this year) are to improve our section record and go farther in the playoffs.”

Brentwood lost to Chartiers-Houston in the WPIAL first round to end up 6-8 overall last season.

Four players who graduated from last year's team were infielders Elissa Kortz and Stephanie Thomas, and outfielders Hannah Livingston and Emily Kraeuter.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Brentwood