Latrobe softball team aims to contend for titles this season

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, March 16, 2018 | 7:36 PM

Last season has a rather unfinished look to the Latrobe softball team.

The Wildcats reached the WPIAL finals for the first time since 2011 but saw things go sideways after they took an early lead on Hempfield and lost the 6A title game 13-2 in six innings at Cal (Pa.)'s Lilley Field.

Just like the WPIAL championship venue, though, the Wildcats want a change of pace this year — with a different result.

“We had a good finish and won some big games against some very good teams,” Latrobe second-year coach Rick Kozusko said. “We could have played better in the finals. This year, we want to eliminate mistakes.

“We expect to get back there.”

Seven returning starters could help make that happen for Latrobe, which appears to have the firepower and pitching to compete with perennial power Hempfield, the three-time defending WPIAL champion and winner of back-to-back PIAA titles.

“We hope so,” Kozusko said. “We're certainly going to try. We want to win the section, WPIAL and PIAA; those are our goals every year.”

Several key seniors return, led by shortstop Karley Kovatch, an IUP recruit and Tribune-Review all-star who hit .483 and drove in 21 last season for the Wildcats (13-9), who finished second behind Hempfield in Section 2.

Second baseman Sarah Blair is another key leader who will be a fourth-year starter. She was a dependable leadoff hitter last season and one of the area's top defensive players.

Junior Makayla Munchinski is expected to be another two-way threat as a clutch hitter and defensive presence. But the third-year starter will likely move from third base to catcher since senior Morgan Schweizer decided to leave the sport to play hockey full time.

Munchinski has verbally committed to play at Cal (Pa.), which will not host the WPIAL championships this year because of renovations.

“Makayla is the heart and soul of the team,” Kozusko said. “She is a fiery leader and is just solid in her fundamentals.”

Seniors Julia DiOrio, Aimee Siecinski and Becca Tatone will see increased roles, with Tatone playing in the outfield and also doing some pitching.

DiOrio is an outfielder who served as a flex player, while Siecinski was a DP.

Another senior, Carissa Scekeres, is the likely center fielder after stretching her legs as a pinch-runner last season.

To the pitching circle, where the Wildcats have to replace two strong-armed graduates in Meredith Carr and Ashley Pagliei (Pitt-Johnstown); Junior Kiley Myers is the top returnee after striking out 78 and posting a 2.44 ERA. Myers is a Marist recruit.

Along with Tatone, sophomore Maddie Smith and freshman Jordan Tallman could join the rotation. Kozusko likes to use multiple pitchers, as evidenced by him throwing three in one game last year.

Juniors Ashley Noel and Mia Schwetzer also are expected to contribute, and Kozusko said a number of sophomores and players from an “athletic” freshmen group could also see time.

The Wildcats' vacancies in the preseason are at first and third base.

After scrimmages against Yough (Sunday) and Mt. Pleasant, the Wildcats are set to open the season at 2 p.m. March 24 at home against Belle Vernon.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Latrobe