Norwin softball standout rolls with changes, commits to Maine

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, August 5, 2024 | 7:52 PM

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The build-up to the decision was stressful. The reasoning behind it, though, made perfect sense.

Recent Norwin graduate Bailey Snowberger had her future plans locked in: Go to Holy Cross, blend in and continue her excellent play as a shortstop at the college level.

Kimberly Stiles, the coach at Holy Cross who recruited Snowberger and gained the standout’s trust and admiration, resigned last month to take the head coaching job at Maine.

Snowberger, who committed to Holy Cross in 2022 on a heap of faith, decided to follow Stiles to northern New England.

Snowberger decommitted from one school and committed to the other, going instantly from a Holy Cross Crusader a Maine Black Bear.

When she heard people saying they didn’t see this move coming, Snowberger offered, “If I’m being honest, I didn’t see it coming either.”

Changing course in a matter of days was trying for Snowberger and her circle of family and friends who want to see her career arc continue upward.

“The last few weeks have definitely been a little crazy,” she said, “and I can confidently say I was scared of making the right or wrong decision.

“I mean, going from leaving in a month to a school where I’ve been planning to go to for two years, and all of those plans being flipped around in the matter of a few days was definitely a lot. Thankfully I have an amazing support system that allowed me to handle these last few weeks and decisions with grace.”

Snowberger led fifth-seeded Norwin to a surprise appearance in the WPIAL 6A championship game last spring. The Knights upset No. 4 Pine-Richland before a monumental shocker against No. 1 Hempfield in the semifinals.

Snowberger batted .400 with 25 hits, 22 runs, a 1.215 OPS and 18 stolen bases and finished her career with exactly 100 hits.

Maine was not on her radar through her years in travel and high school softball. But Snowberger quickly did her research to learn more about the Black Bears’ program.

Holy Cross seemed like a dream. Maine is more of a mystery — for now.

“Once I got out of my (national letter of intent) and officially had my recruitment open to talk to other coaches, she reached out and my family and I drove the whole way up and had a visit,” she said. “The school was even so new to (Stiles) that she went on my academic admissions tour with me.

“The decision definitely wasn’t easy, but I know that (Stiles) believes in me and I love the values that she has. It’s just another door that has been opened to me, and I’m taking it with a optimistic mindset.”

Metikosh finds a home

Former Belle Vernon slugger Maren Metikosh, who entered the NCAA transfer portal in the spring after one season at Central Connecticut State, announced she will sign with Ashland (Ohio), a Division II program.

A rising sophomore, Metikosh, who was the WPIAL Class 4A player of the year as a junior, played in three games last season, going 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Ashland plays in the Great Midwest Conference.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Norwin