Trib HSSN softball player of the week for June 1, 2025

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, June 1, 2025 | 10:30 PM

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Trib HSSN softball player of the week – Marissa Snyder

School – Hampton

Class – Sophomore

Position – Pitcher

#Earned – What a difference a year makes. As a fabulous freshman last season, Marissa Snyder helped Hampton reach the 2024 WPIAL 4A championship game. However she struggled against Elizabeth Forward in that final, allowing six earned runs on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings pitched. If the 2025 playoffs were Snyder’s redemption tour, then it was mission accomplished for the now sophomore. Following a first-round bye, Snyder limited Indiana to no runs on one hit with 14 strikeouts in the Talbots’ quarterfinals victory over the Little Indians, 9-0. In the semifinals, it was another shutout, this time on four hits with five punchouts as Hampton blanked Beaver, 4-0. Snyder and her Talbots teammates made the return trip to Lilley Field at Cal (Pa.) on Wednesday for the district title game. However, after Hampton sat on a bus for several hours, the game was postponed a day. The site was switched to North Allegheny on Thursday and through five innings, it did not look good for Hampton as it trailed upstart Blackhawk, 3-0. But in the bottom of the sixth inning following walks to Katelyn Dubee and pinch hitter Ashley Schtick, Snyder doubled home two runs. Snyder scored on a double by Alena Zattola, who then scored on a Teresa Fritsch sacrifice fly to right field. In the top of the seventh inning with the Talbots up by one run, the Cougars loaded the bases with two outs before Snyder struck out the game’s final batter to secure the program’s first WPIAL championship in dramatic fashion 4-3. Snyder allowed three runs on seven hits with three walks in seven innings pitched and struck out 10 batters in picking up the historic win.

Background – Halfway through her scholastic career, Snyder hopes to continue her softball career in college in a couple of years. Snyder has shared time in the Hampton circle this season with senior Cassie Vidic (32 1/3 innings pitched) and sophomore Fritsch (21 2/3 IP). In 73 1/3 innings this season, Snyder has a 1.81 ERA, allowing 19 earned runs on 59 hits, only walking 15 and striking out 111. Snyder delivered the big hit in the district championship game to start the four-run rally and has been a force at the plate. She is batting .433 (29 for 67) with one home run and 15 RBIs. Marissa has a .506 on-base percentage, .627 slugging percentage and a 1.133 OPS. Snyder has been playing softball since she was 8 years old. Before that, she was involved in gymnastics.

What coach says – “The thing about Marissa is she’s a competitor,” Hampton coach Katie Hedderman said. “When they scored on us early, I knew it would only fire her up both on the mound and in the box. She doesn’t panic, she gets focused. That moment lit a spark, and she responded exactly how we’ve seen her do time and time again. She stayed locked in the entire game.

“Whether we were up or down, her focus never changes. She knows Blackhawk is a tough hitting team, so she couldn’t afford to let her guard down and she didn’t. That consistency is what makes her so reliable in big moments.”

“Marissa’s command and ability to hit her spots consistently is her biggest strength,” Hedderman said. “We scout every team, break down hitters, and prep spray charts. My assistant coach Haley Dietz plays a huge role in that. She takes all of our pitching charts and prepares us for every game. Marissa watches film herself and takes ownership of the game plan. That was the sixth time we’ve faced Blackhawk in two years, third time this season, so she knew them well, but they also knew her. She didn’t try to be perfect, she trusted her stuff and her defense. We always say strikeouts are extra credit. Her job is to compete and let her team play behind her, and she does that so well. It was truly a team effort from start to finish.”

“That hit changed the entire game,” Hedderman said of Snyder two run double. “But what stood out to me more was the moment before a freshman, Alena Zottola, grabbing Marissa by the helmet and telling her to breathe and visualize it. That’s what this team is about. Yes, the big hits matter, but so do the little moments of support, leadership, and belief in one another. Marissa delivered, but her teammate lit the match.”

“Her fierce love for the game,” Hedderman said is what makes Snyder so special. “A lot of kids play, but some live it—and Marissa is one of those. She’s constantly working on her own, taking every rep seriously, whether we’re doing a drill or playing a fun game in practice. She prepares relentlessly and trusts that preparation. Her consistency and passion set her apart.”

2025 Trib HSSN Softball Players of the Week

Week 8 – Mia Pruehs, Union

Week 7 – Bria Bosiljevac, Shaler

Week 6 – Gianna Ferrieri, Seton LaSalle

Week 5 – Emersyn Jones, Knoch

Week 4 – Sydney Sekely, South Park

Week 3 – Danica Trainer, Mt. Pleasant

Week 2 – Bailey Barnyak, Carmichaels

Week 1 – Toryn Fulton, Franklin Regional

Tags: Hampton