Penn-Trafford softball in position to climb back toward top

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, March 24, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Penn-Trafford reached the WPIAL finals and PIAA semifinals in 2022.

But the 2023 season didn’t go as well. The Warriors finished 6-12 overall, 4-6 in Section 2-5A.

They did qualify for the WPIAL playoffs by finishing fourth in the section behind Armstrong, Latrobe and Franklin Regional, but they dropped a 3-2 decision to WPIAL champion Trinity in the opening round.

With seven starters returning and a strong but young pitching staff, the Warriors look to bounce back and make noise in the section.

“We hope to contend for a playoff berth,” Penn-Trafford coach Denny Little said. “We have numerous position players returning, which should help our defense. We started playing better. The Trinity game gave me some hope that we’d be better this year.”

Junior third baseman Cam Ponko, the team’s leading hitter, leads the group of returning starters.

Others back are senior catcher Mackenzie Keenan, senior first baseman Erin Drotos, junior second baseman Rilie Moors, junior left fielder Lorryn Sepe, junior right fielder Giuliana Youngo and junior outfielder/shortstop Kylie Anthony.

Junior Jaydn Pellis is the top pitcher returning, but Little expects sophomore Allison Pokrant, sophomore Hailey Pokrant, sophomore Julia Salvadore and freshman Allyson Paulone to contribute. Paulone might emerge as the starter.

“The young pitchers earned valuable experience last season,” Little said. “They should make a difference this season.”

Ponko is a two-time all-section first team player and Keenan is a returning all-section selection. Ponko batted .446 with 25 hits, seven doubles and three home runs. She drove in 28.

Anthony batted .400 with 18 runs scored and nine RBIs while Moors hit .378 with 11 runs scored.

“We have some flexibility,” Little said. “Kylie may split time between shortstop and center field. If she’s in the outfield, Halley Pokrant will play short.”

Freshman Annabell Carvajal could also see time in the outfield. Little calls her a gritty player.

“Last year, we were very young,” Little said. “We’re eager to get a game played. We did well in scrimmages against Plum and Connellsville. I saw a lot of things we need to work on, and I saw some things I liked.”

Little said Section 2-5A remains very strong. He expects Armstrong, Latrobe and Franklin Regional to be among the playoff contenders.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Penn-Trafford