Despite experienced lineup, Shaler softball remains work in progress

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, March 16, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Even with nine starters returning, Shaler softball coach Tom Sorce was hesitant to describe exactly what this year’s team will be like. The Titans finished 15-4 last season and bowed out in the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals to Penn-Trafford.

“We want to play one game at a time and get better every day,” Source said. “We want to be better than we were yesterday. We’ll see how we pan out when we start playing games. It’s an experienced group, but a young group. We only have four seniors.”

The Titans will have an experienced pitcher to lean on. Bria Bosiljevac has already committed to play in the Big Ten with Indiana after high school. Bosiljevac pitched for Shaler in the PIAA championship game as a freshman.

The Titans also will have depth at pitching with Taylor London serving as the No. 2 option.

“We play good defense,” Sorce said. “When you have Bria pitching, you need to make the routine plays.”

In addition to Bosiljevac, the Titans will return catcher Alyssa Schaffold, shortstop Jayla Antomachi, center fielder Ella Nash, right fielder Emily Spears, third baseman Olivia Sachs, outfielder Olivia Gierraltowski, outfielder Haley Machajewski and first baseman Kate Boyle.

“We have some young players pushing seniors for playing time,” Sorce said.

Addie Aleski is one player who will challenge for playing time, he said.

Sorce said it was a difficult preseason for Shaler. The Titans had a high turnout and were forced to make eight cuts to the roster.

But Sorce said the players he has returning will bring punch on offense.

“They hit the ball better than last year,” Sorce said. “We did some things differently this preseason. We scrimmaged against Pine-Richland.”

The Titans will be in Section 1-5A this year along with Fox Chapel, Mars, New Castle, North Hills, Penn Hills and Plum. North Hills edged out Shaler by a game for the section title last season.

“There were a lot of first-time kids getting their playoff experience last year,” Sorce said. “The more games you can play, hopefully you can learn from that. If we can stay healthy, we should be good. Class 5A is brutal. There are so many good kids.”

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