Fox Chapel softball weathers storm after clinching playoff spot
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Saturday, May 10, 2025 | 11:01 AM
Maintaining momentum heading into the playoffs is tricky in softball. Long layoffs aren’t ideal when preparing for a single-elimination playoff format.
The Fox Chapel softball team worked hard to stay sharp. Two weeks ago, the storm that brought down power for many Allegheny County residents caused the Foxes to be unable to hold official practices because it was unsafe for everyone to get to the field.
Fox Chapel (11-6, 6-6) had to cancel three nonsection games to help prepare for the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.
The Foxes have only played once since they won their last Section 1 game, a 13-1 victory over Mars, on April 28.
“The school district didn’t want us to practice because they didn’t want the girls to try and get to the school with down trees and wires,” Fox Chapel coach Larry Troutman said. “Some of the girls got together without us knowing about it until later. They were captain-type practices. Not all of them could make it, but they were committed to getting some work in.”
Fox Chapel was able to get a few teams that were on the schedule for regular games to agree to scrimmages. The Foxes were able to get in scrimmages against Deer Lakes and Hampton to help prepare for the postseason.
Troutman wants the team to try to regain some of the momentum it had toward the second half of section play. This season, Fox Chapel has found success at the plate, averaging 8.5 runs per contest.
“It’s important,” Troutman said. “We played Peters Township. It wasn’t crisp or clean. We lost to New Castle, but that was in 11 innings, and then we beat Mars. We’d like to get that momentum back.”
Fox Chapel finished in fourth place in the section to reach the playoffs for the fifth straight season. The Foxes’ season has been marked by ups and downs. They started 4-0 and followed that with three consecutive losses.
Troutman said if the Foxes are going to be successful in the postseason, they will have to maintain a high energy level.
“It’s a high-energy group when we are playing well,” Troutman said. “We always say it’s one team, 22 strong. Even if you aren’t in the starting lineup, we want them to be loud and support the team.”
Tags: Fox Chapel
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