New coach has high hopes for youthful North Allegheny softball team

By: John Grupp
Saturday, March 15, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Purchase Photo Options

North Allegheny first-year softball coach Bill Aguglia worked magic at his previous job by guiding Upper St. Clair to the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in two decades.

His new gig offers some challenges right off the bat, but he feels good about it.

“I think we’re going to surprise some people this year,” Aguglia said. “We are youthful. Most of our roster is sophomores and freshmen. That’s exciting for the future. But I feel we are going to have a pretty solid team. I’m real excited for the season.”

North Allegheny graduated seven seniors, including all-state outfielder Carlyn Vaupel, from last year’s 12-8 WPIAL Class 6A playoff qualifier and lost its top catcher to the track team. The starting lineup this season is expected to include four sophomores and two freshmen.

All-section pitcher Sammy Plotsko, one of only two seniors in the lineup, is encouraged by early workouts.

“We definitely look really good,” she said. “I feel like the younger talent we have on the team is really promising. Obviously, I was a bit nervous going into the season. But all of the freshmen and underclassmen look really good, and I think this season is going to play out pretty well.”

Aguglia, 50, was hired in late August to replace Morgan Vescovi, who stepped down after going 65-45 in six seasons to spend time with her growing family. Aguglia, who coached at Upper St. Clair from 2018-24, led USC to the WPIAL playoffs three times, including in ‘19 to snap a 20-year postseason drought.

North Allegheny, meanwhile, is looking to reach the WPIAL playoffs for the 25th consecutive season. Leading the way will be Plotsko, who went 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA last season while hitting .435 with five home runs, and shortstop McKenna Rowlands, a Drexel recruit who hit .304 with 20 runs scored and six stolen bases.

“They are going to be very important,” Aguglia said. “They’ve been really buying in, and I’m seeing good leadership from them. And they are very good ballplayers.”

Other returning players include third baseman Erin Fadgen and outfielder Avelyn Kropf, a pair of juniors who each hit .278 last season.

The new starters are sophomores Zoe Rychel (2B), Taylor Condiotte (1B/C), Leah Carlson (OF) and Twila Goulding (OF) and freshmen Ali Friend (C) and Cailyn Wateska (1B/P).

The new coaching staff includes Ray Interthal, who followed Aguglia from Upper St. Clair, and Billie Aguglia, the coach’s daughter and a former Clarion catcher.

“It was definitely a bit of an adjustment at first,” Plotsko said. “But (coach Aguglia) is really fitting in well with all of us. He’s bringing a new perspective to the team and a new leadership style.”

The Tigers were scheduled to go to Florida for spring training for four days in mid-March, which will help the youthful team to grow together and prepare for the rigors of Section 1-6A, which includes powerhouses Hempfield and Seneca Valley.

“The section is obviously really challenging,” Plotsko said. “But I think, with our team, it looks really promising and we’re going to be really good.”

Tags: North Allegheny