Trib HSSN softball player of the week for June 18, 2024

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, June 18, 2024 | 9:35 PM

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Trib HSSN softball player of the week: Zoe Krizan

School: Thomas Jefferson

Class: Senior

Position: Center field

#Earned: One of the more amazing postseason runs by a district softball team in history continued in likely fashion this past week. WPIAL runner-up Thomas Jefferson fell behind District 6 champion Central Mountain, 6-0. That is when Zoe Krizan and her Jaguars teammates went to work. The senior centerfielder had a double, home run and drove in five runs to spark a sensational comeback that culminated in a 9-8 victory, lifting TJ into the PIAA Class 5A finals. At Penn State in the 5A state title game, senior Taylor Karpac delivered a bases loaded single to produce the golden run in a 2-1 victory over Pittston Area in eight innings. The Jaguars’ only run in regulation came when junior Olivia Stock tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Krizan.

What coach says: “It is common for some athletes when they make a mistake or have an error is to carry that play on throughout the game,” Thomas Jefferson coach Heidi Karcher said about Krizan’s performance in the state semifinals. “Her error was a defensive one and that 100% did not carry onto her offensive attack because she put on a show like no other. She owned up to her mistake and came back for her team.

“Her game has improved in terms of her strength in hitting the ball and how far it goes. She trained in the offseason, and you can tell by how hard and far her line drives go.

“Her first sacrifice fly to score Liv Stock after her opening triple (in the state title game) set the tone for the whole game emphasizing to what I have believed the whole season, we can do this.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better captain or leader for this team. During the initial part of the season, we had some issues, and she approached the coaches with her concerns and spoke up for her teammates. She keeps every player informed and even gives input to the younger players when she sees behaviors or attitudes that she knows who lead to a good outcome. She always has a positive attitude in the dugout as well.”

Background: Krizan will continue her academic and softball career starting in the fall at Drexel. The Jaguars finished the regular season at 9-7 and were the No. 10 seed in the WPIAL 5A playoffs. Krizan got the postseason ball rolling with a two home run game in a win over South Fayette as the 7-1 postseason netted the Jags district silver and state gold medals. An injury to Krizan early in her high school career while playing third base chased her to the outfield where she became one of the top district centerfielders. For the season, Krizan batted .411 with six home runs, 28 runs scored and 29 RBIs. She had a .795 slugging percentage and a .483 on-base percentage. In middle school, she was on the track team, but not as a sprinter; she did well in the shot put. Krizan excels in the classroom as well as the softball diamond having graduated from Thomas Jefferson with a 4.31 GPA.

2024 Trib HSSN Softball Players of the Week

Week 10 – Shelby Telegdy, Elizabeth Forward

Week 9 – Gabby Perod, Neshannock

Week 8 – Emma Paul, Armstrong

Week 7 – Alivia Lantzy, Avonworth

Week 6 – Addison Deal, Laurel

Week 5 – Bailey Barnyak, Carmichaels

Week 4 – Mackenzie Reese, Hampton

Week 3 – Sydney Gonglik, Bentworth

Week 2 – Lexie Hames, Seneca Valley

Week 1 – Sydney Sekely, South Park

Tags: Thomas Jefferson