Trib HSSN softball team of the week for April 15, 2024

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 | 12:43 AM

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Trib HSSN softball team of the week – Elizabeth Forward Warriors

Coach: Harry Rutherford (15th season)

Record: 3-0 in Section 2-4A, 5-0 overall

#Earned: Elizabeth Forward has been a dominant force this season, outscoring their first five opponents 53-6. Following wins on their trip south to Florida and a Section 2-4A opening rout of Laurel Highlands, the Warriors brought their A games in two impressive section victories last week. EF scored four runs in the first and another in the second inning against rival Belle Vernon on Monday, then finished things off with a five-run fifth inning to win 10-0. Two days later, it was more of the same as the Warriors scored five runs in the first two innings, two runs in the fourth and finished early again with three runs in the top of the sixth inning of another 10-0 win. Elizabeth Forward crushed the second- and third-place Leopards and Colonials, who have a combined overall record of 10-3.

Standout performers: The Warriors have one of the top pitchers in the district in senior Shelby Telegdy. In the two wins last week over BVA and AG, she pitched 11 innings, allowed no runs on seven hits with one walk and 18 strikeouts. In the Albert Gallatin win, Telegdy was 3 for 3 with a double, home run and two RBIs. Some of the other stars last week on offense for EF included sophomore Julia Resnick, who had six hits, seven runs scored, a double and a home run and junior Julia Johnson, who had four hits, five RBIs and a home run. Senior Carlee Soukup, sophomore Hannah Evans and freshman Berlyn Holibaugh each enjoyed a multi-hit game last week. Through five games, Resnick, Johnson and Telegdy are all hitting over .600.

Last year: Elizabeth Forward finished 20-2 a year ago, but just couldn’t clear the final four district and state hurdles. The Warriors were a perfect 16-0 in the regular season, including a 10-0 record in winning the Section 2-4A championship. Following a first-round bye and a six-run victory over Hampton in the WPIAL quarterfinals, EF was stunned by rival Belle Vernon in the semifinals, 10-1. The Warriors bounced back with a consolation win over Chartiers Valley, followed by a first-round win over Cathedral Prep and then sweet revenge in a PIAA quarterfinals victory over Belle Vernon. However, the season concluded with a state semifinal loss to Montour, 4-1.

Remember when: It seems the Elizabeth Forward softball program has been a strong contender every spring over the last two decades, but it has only one WPIAL championship. That came five years ago when it captured silver and gold, just not in that order. The Warriors defeated Indiana and Knoch in the WPIAL 4A playoffs to reach the 2019 championship game. Sophomore pitcher Kailey Larcinese blanked the Vikings, 3-0, as the Warriors celebrated their first and only WPIAL title. EF then defeated Punxsutawney, Grove City and Mt. Pleasant again to reach the PIAA finals. There they lost to West Perry, 3-2.

2024 Trib HSSN Softball Teams of the Week

Week 1 – Ellwood City Wolverines

Tags: Elizabeth Forward