Monessen softball team takes aim at return trip to WPIAL final

By: William Whalen
Friday, March 15, 2019 | 7:19 PM

Previous Next

To say the Monessen softball team still hasn’t moved on from last season’s heartbreaking loss to rival West Greene in the WPIAL Class A championship game is a gross understatement. The wounds from that game have turned into scars, but the fire in the bellies of the Greyhounds continues to rage.

“Back in January, when I first found out that I was hired, I started open gyms and I called all the girls into my classroom and asked them what their goals were, and that game last year was brought up by every single girl,” Monessen first-year coach Carlee Wickstrom said. “It’s a huge topic. A few of the girls are emotional about it, and they are using that as their drive for this season.”

Giving up a two-run lead in the bottom of the seventh inning in a title game will have that effect on a team. Last season’s championship-game loss has a few layers to it. The loss to West Greene marked the second season in a row the Greyhounds were bounced out of the postseason by the Pioneers. Adding insult to injury, West Greene is a section rival and for the past few seasons, Monessen (17-5) has sat second chair in the section standings to the three-time defending WPIAL Class A champion Pioneers.

“West Greene is definitely our most competition,” said Wickstrom, a 2013 Peters Township grad who went on to star at Seton Hill from 2014-18.

Monessen fans should mark their calendars for when the Greyhounds host West Greene on April 4 in their Section 2-A home opener.

“That’s going to be a good one, and I know the girls are going to be fighting hard to get that section win,” Wickstrom said.

Wickstrom takes over at a good time for a new coach. There’s a mix of players who have been there and done that and a few who have just been there. It should come as no secret; the Greyhounds have holes to fill. Monessen lost six players from a team that was three outs away from winning a championship. The Greyhounds are going to need their youth to step up to get back to the big game.

Most encouraging, the Greyhounds had a healthy turnout this preseason. Success sparks interest. Wickstrom said 21 players have showed up and, for the most part, all have remained.

“In just the last few weeks with the girls, I’m impressed with what they’re showing me,” Wickstrom said. “I think that we’ll be able to hold our own this year, even though we have less starters.”

Wickstrom said she’s not going to be shy about throwing freshmen into the starting lineup. Freshman Kendelle Weston will get the start at first base. There’s a battle at second base between fellow freshman Kinsey Wilson and junior Qitarah Hardison. Wickstrom said whoever can be the most consistent will get the starting nod.

Sophomore Sydney Caterino will start at shortstop, and senior Soleil Simpson will play third base. Senior center fielder Madison Telegraphis is the only outfielder who has locked up a starting spot.

Juniors MacKenzie Wanner and Rayna Winston, along with freshman Loni Scott, are in a battle for the starting spot in left field. In right field, it will come down to sophomores Olivia Panicucci and Tatyana VanHooser.

Behind the plate, senior Sasha Kenney will catch promising sophomore starter Hannah Yorty. Wickstrom is hoping to bring Weston into games late to not only save Yorty’s arm but to get Weston some experience.

“Some of these girls played in middle school, and there are a few of them that are experienced,” Wickstrom said.

Kenney, Telegraphis and Simpson will add the pop to the lineup and bat in the middle of the order.

Monessen will open the regular season at home March 22 against Charleroi and travel to Jefferson-Morgan on April 2 for the section opener.

“They want to get back to that championship game, be on the good side of it and celebrate that win,” Wickstrom said. “That would be huge to be able to bounce back from last year and be able to do that.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Monessen