Westmoreland County softball notebook: Latrobe offense tries different approach

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Latrobe softball coach Bob Kovalcin expected his team to hit the ball early in the season, but with technique, not just haphazard power.

Sure, the big swings are there, but look at how the Wildcats opened the season and there is proof they could be more disciplined at the plate.

Latrobe dropped bunts in its first two at-bats, a sign small ball could be a means to getting the offense going.

“It’s all about what (assistant) coach Dana (Munchinski) preaches and teaches,” Kovalcin said. “The girls are listening to her. It’s more basics at the plate.”

The Wildcats (2-2) beat Norwin, 12-2, then fell to Southmoreland, 12-11, so the runs were plentiful.

They were then outslugged by Connellsville, 10-8, but thumped Ligonier Valley, 11-3.

Keeping the turnstiles moving is the idea. A hit-and-run could go a long way for the Wildcats, who are committed to moving runners over. Left-on-base is a stat Kovalcin would rather not concern himself with.

“What did Trump say?” Kovalcin said. “Drill baby, drill? For us, it’s run baby, run.”

Latrobe made the WPIAL 5A semifinals last season.

Out for a walk

Plum was in a no-win situation, it seemed, when Toryn Fulton came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth.

Fulton, Franklin Regional’s all-state home-run hitter, has been walked intentionally many times in her career, but Plum had to face her with the bases loaded in a 7-7 game.

Fulton didn’t hit a grand slam, but she didn’t have to. The senior shortstop was walked and earned the game-winning RBI in an 8-7 win.

Fulton did hit a home run earlier in the game.

Big Mak

Makayla Etling is at it again. The Southmoreland standout has shown home-run power before in her career, and she is still swinging for the fences in her final prep season.

Etling homered twice, including a go-ahead, two-run shot in an eight-run sixth inning as the Scotties rallied past Latrobe, 12-11.

A catcher and UNC Pembroke commit, Etling last season hit .538 with eight homers, 24 RBI and 24 runs.

She had a seven-RBI game against Yough and put together a stretch where she went 13 or 17 with four doubles, four homers and 13 RBI.

Big bats

Sometimes, they say in softball, all it takes is one run. Well, how about 20?

Hempfield erupted for 20 runs on 22 hits to dismantle host North Allegheny, 20-3, in a 6A section game.

The offense was widespread and potent. Allie Cervola went 3 for 5 with two doubles and two RBI, Ella Berkebile went 4 for 5 with a double and three RBI, Lauren Howard went 4 for 5 with a double, home run and five RBI and Claire Mitchell was 3 for 3 with a homer and two driven in.

Don’t forget Julia Varhola, who earned the pitching win and also had two hits including a double.

Rematch week

Two WPIAL playoff rematches are on the schedule for next week.

On Monday, Armstrong will visit Penn-Trafford, while Norwin goes to Seneca Valley.

The first is a rematch from last year’s Class 5A semifinals, the other a matchup of teams that met in the 6A championship game.

Armstrong beat Penn-Trafford, 8-6, in eight innings, while Seneca Valley edged Norwin, 4-3, in eight innings.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Hempfield, Latrobe, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland