St. Joseph softball looks to maintain momentum after 1st playoff trip

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 | 3:57 PM

Previous Next

Previous Next

The St. Joseph softball team is coming off a historic season, making the playoffs for the first time in school history.

Now, first-year coach Dan Edgar is looking to take the team even further.

The Spartans finished last season with a 10-5 record and finished tied with Bishop Canevin for second in Section 3-A at 8-4. They beat Cornell in their WPIAL playoffs debut before falling to Carmichaels.

This year, the goal is simple — make the postseason.

“I would love to win the section, but I want us to get in the playoffs and make it past the second round,” Edgar said. “I think we have the team to do it. The competition is going to be tough. Leechburg is always good, and Riverview and Bishop Canevin are good. You always have that one team that can throw a wrench into things, and I think that's Jeannette.”

Leading the Spartans will be versatile senior Serena Edgar, who according to coach Edgar, can play anywhere on the field with the exception of pitcher. She will be the leadoff hitter and will primarily play shortstop.

“She is a great kid and a good leader,” Edgar said. “I always see her coaching up the other girls whenever she can help out. She is a good all-around ballplayer.”

Not every team has the luxury of a pure power hitter, but St. Joseph has one in senior Anna Swierczewski.

“She's our power hitter,” Edgar said. “She's a good third baseman and can pitch. We even had her play center field last year when we had trouble in the outfield.”

Swierczewski also is a versatile player, according to Edgar. She will do some pitching late in games if needed and provides a good complement to Serena Edgar. The coach compares the two to Batman and Robin.

The two girls also became the first players in St. Joseph history to commit to play college softball. Serena Edgar committed to Muskingum, and Swierczewski committed to Franciscan.

Sandwiched somewhere between Edgar and Swierczewski in the batting order will be junior Shelby Gogal. She led the team in RBIs last season and doesn't strike out much, according to coach Edgar. She also was the team's primary pitcher.

“She's very consistent,” Edgar said. “She doesn't walk people. She has four pitches — a fastball, changeup, rise ball and curveball. She works hard. She's not the hardest-throwing girl, but has a lot of movement.”

St. Joseph returns seven starters. Depth at the pitching position will be a strength with four pitchers coach Edger can turn to. Sophomore Eva Swansen and freshman Morgan Brown will join Gogal and Swierczewski in the circle.

St. Joseph opens the season Monday at Apollo-Ridge.

D.J. Vasil is a freelance writer.