Trib HSSN softball team of the week for June 2, 2024

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, June 2, 2024 | 9:05 PM

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Trib HSSN softball team of the week: Mohawk Warriors

Coach: Hank Pezzuolo (sixth year)

Record: Mohawk won the Section 2-3A crown with a 9-1 record. The Warriors are 18-5 heading into the PIAA playoffs and a first-round home game against District 10 runner-up Hickory.

#Earned: In a school year in which the “Boys of Bessemer” have shined, it was the girls of Mohawk who brought home the gold. The Warriors softball team was the No. 4 seed in the WPIAL Class 3A softball bracket and needed a comeback win over Waynesburg Central to move on to Round 2. After edging Freeport in the quarterfinals 2-1, Mohawk stunned many by ending the two-year district reign of Avonworth in the semifinals, 5-3. That set the stage for a trip to the WPIAL finals for the first time in nearly a decade, and this time was golden. The Warriors scored single runs in the first and second inning before blowing the game open with seven runs in the fifth inning on their way to their first WPIAL championship with a 9-2 win over South Park.

Standout performers: While not getting the recognition of some of the other top pitchers in the classification, sophomore Reagan Magno was rock solid in the circle for Mohawk. She pitched seven innings, allowing one earned run on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Offensively, the Warriors got contributions from all nine players in the batting order. Leading the way was junior Addison Moskal with three hits, two runs scored and an RBI, while Magno and sophomore Gionnee Cowher each had two hits. Junior Alivia Hare drove in two runs with an inside-the- park home run.

Last year: The Warriors finished as tri-champions in Section 2-3A last spring, tying Hopewell and Central Valley with 7-3 records, one game ahead of fourth place Ellwood City. Mohawk defeated South Park in the opening round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs, 14-6. However, the season ended with a quarterfinal loss to Burrell, 5-1. The Warriors finished 12-5 overall, but won eight of their last nine games to set the table for a historic 2024 campaign.

Remember when: Mohawk finally captured gold after coming close on two separate occasions in the last decade. Nine years ago, Mohawk was perfect in winning the Section 5-2A title. The Warriors defeated Bentworth in the first round, 15-5; Carmichaels in the quarterfinals, 5-1; and Seton LaSalle in the semifinals, 6-1, to reach the 2015 WPIAL 2A championship game. There, they lost to power Deer Lakes, 13-5. It was the Lancers’ second crown in four years. Six years ago, Mohawk was the No. 4 seed out of the WPIAL playoffs after losing to Frazier in the WPIAL 2A semifinals. The Warriors beat District 9 champion Cranberry, 10-5, eliminated District 10 runner-up Cochranton in the quarterfinals, 5-2, then ousted District 6 champion Mt. Union in the state semifinals, 3-1. The unexpected ride ended at Penn State as Mohawk fell to District 3 champion Upper Dauphin in the state softball title game, 2-1.

2024 Trib HSSN Softball Teams of the Week

Week 8 – Thomas Jefferson Jaguars

Week 7 – Latrobe Wildcats

Week 6 – Penn-Trafford Warriors

Week 5 – Hempfield Spartans

Week 4 – Chartiers-Houston Buccaneers

Week 3 – West Allegheny Indians

Week 2 – Elizabeth Forward Warriors

Week 1 – Ellwood City Wolverines

Tags: Mohawk