With 8 starters back, Penn-Trafford softball set for another big season
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Sunday, March 23, 2025 | 11:01 AM
Penn-Trafford pitcher Allyson Paulone flips a ball to second baseman Ella Mains for an out March 18 against Thomas Jefferson.
Penn-Trafford pitcer Allyson Paulone throws during a game against Thomas Jefferson on March 18.
Penn-Trafford coach Ron Prady talks to Giuliana Youngo during the first inning of a game against Thomas Jefferson on March 18.
Penn-Trafford shortstop Kylie Anthony applies a tag on Thomas Jefferson’s Oliva Stock during a nonsection game March 18.
Penn-Trafford third baseman Cam Ponko tags out Thomas Jefferson runner Oliva Stock trying to advance March 18.
Penn-Trafford shortstop Kylie Anthony tosses a ball to second baseman Ella Mains during a game March 18.
Penn-Trafford softball’s Denny Little has had quite a run since becoming the Warriors’ head coach in 2016.
A perennial playoff participant, the Warriors won a PIAA Class 5A in 2019 and covid may have taken another in 2020.
Since then, a powerful Armstrong team has been in the Warriors path.
But that could change in 2025. At least that’s what Little hopes.
Penn-Trafford (1-1) returns eight starters from last year’s team that finished third in Class 5A behind Armstrong and Thomas Jefferson. The Warriors defeated Latrobe in the third-place game but fell to Central Mountain in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.
Little is hoping his team is ready to make another run this season.
The Warriors opened the season losing to Class 6A power Hempfield, 8-3, on March 14, and then defeated returning PIAA 5A champion Thomas Jefferson, 5-1, on March 18.
Little said he likes what he’s seen in the first two games. The nonsection schedule also includes games at North Hills (March 20) and at Shaler (March 28).
The Warriors open Section 2 action March 31 against Armstrong.
“The top four teams in the section are very good,” Little said. “It’s going to be a challenge when we play Armstrong, Latrobe and Franklin Regional.”
The other teams in the section are Gateway and newcomers Kiski Area and McKeesport.
The returning starters include sophomore pitcher Allyson Paulone, junior second baseman Ella Mains, senior shortstop Kylie Anthony, senior third baseman Cameron Ponko, senior left fielder Rilie Moors, senior center fielder Lorryn Sepe, senior right fielder Giuliana Youngo and senior designated player Bella Rubbe. Senior Jayden Pellis and junior Julia Salvatore will serve as Paulone’s backups.
Newcomers include junior first baseman Liz Welsh and junior catcher Mackenzie Cox. They replace first baseman Erin Drotos, who is playing at IUP, and Mackenzie Keenan, who is playing club ball at the United States Naval Academy.
Other players Little is excited about are sophomore utility player Annabell Carvajal, junior utility player Gabriella Rubbe and freshman Ava Heller.
“We have good senior leadership,” Little said. “I expect that from the seniors. Jayden (Pellis) has started numerous games, and she is doing everything for the team.
“We have a solid hitting team, and we’re usually pretty solid on defense.”
Over the seasons, Little has sent numerous players on to college to play. He said there are at least nine former players on college rosters, including his daughter Emma, who is playing at Bloomsburg.
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
Tags: Penn-Trafford
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