Sewickley Academy softball ready to raise standards with experienced roster

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, March 23, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Seven returning starters provide the Sewickley Academy softball team with hope and optimism for a successful season.

Sewickley ended up 2-10 in Section 1-A last year after going 2-4 down the season’s home stretch. The Panthers did not play a nonsection game in 2024.

“Last year, with a very inexperienced team and no seniors, we focused on the second half of the season and played very competitively down the stretch,” Sewickley coach Bob Sirko said. “This year, with the entire team returning from that strong finish and the addition of three new talented players, we are focused on playing to a standard.

“We don’t want to be surprised by the wins or discouraged by the losses. With this increased talent, it will come down to leadership and chemistry. We have three returning captains to set examples for our younger players and together with our coaching staff, we hope to create a galvanized team dynamic.”

Returning as captains this spring are seniors Quincy Sirko (3B/P), Marie Bigi (C/OF) and Sanaa Grant (2B/OF).

Sirko, the coach’s daughter, led the team offensively last season with a .571 batting average. She also was top in RBIs and was an all-section selection. Sirko plans to attend Carnegie Mellon and major in chemical engineering.

Bigi was the team leader in slugging percentage with a .677 mark. After high school, she will attend Penn State as an agriculture major.

Sophomore Keira Church, an all-section selection as a freshman, will anchor the Panthers’ infield with Grant moving to second base. Church batted .484 while leading the team in runs scored and stolen bases.

Sirko, whose nickname is “Q,” will play third base and freshman Gabby Edmunds will play first while sharing catching duties with Bigi.

The outfield includes returning starters V.J. Jeevan, Layla Miller and Laurie Lau along with sophomore Sophie Crichton, a transfer from Upper St. Clair who can also pitch and play first base.

Coach Sirko is hoping for significant contributions from the team’s three newcomers — Crichton, freshman Charlotte Andrews (P/IF) and Edmunds.

“They’re all with travel experience to add to the three with significant travel experience we have from last year,” Sirko said. “The experience should help.”

The current game-day strategy is that Andrews, Crichton and Quincy Sirko will share the pitching duties.

Top reserves Persaya Williams, Willow Simmons and Genevieve Kain will round out the Panthers’ lineup.

Tags: Sewickley Academy