Pens, WG softball have a lot in common
At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be too much in common between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the West Greene softball team, other than plenty of wins during highly successful playoff runs.
However, if you dig a little deeper into the two squads, you can see a few similarities that link the two headline-stealing teams.
One word can be used to describe just what is at the center of both teams’ outstanding postseason runs: speed. While the Penguins have the likes of Haglin, Rust, Kessel and Crosby racing up and down the ice and blowing past opposing defenses, West Greene boasts the Lampe twins, Madison and McKenna, and Kaitlyn Rizor in the top five of the batting order.
I’m not sure what has impressed me more: watching Haglin leave opposing players desperately looking to grab a handful of jersey or give up a hooking penalty to slow down the speedster as he heads for the opposing blue line, or McKenna Lampe’s legitimate bunt double that she laid down against Union in the WPIAL quarterfinals. Not only do the Pens and Lady Pioneers possess a seemingly endless well of speed and athleticism, but neither squad has come across an opponent in their respective postseasons that can come close to offering up a similar challenge.
Youth has also played a major role as the spring months begin to wind down. While the Penguins’ reliance on young, but capable talent, was something of a surprise, many in the know have been patiently waiting for the newest crop of West Greene stars to burst onto the scene.
Goalie Matt Murray, forwards Connor Sheary and Bryan Rust and defenseman Brian Dumoulin are all one victory away from hoisting the Stanley Cup before turning the ripe old age of 25.
None has been a bigger surprise or played a more pronounced role than Murray, who not only kept the team together during the injury of all-time Pittsburgh great Marc-Andre Fleury, but was able to keep the job after Fleury’s return. The Thunder Bay, Ontario, native was particularly impressive during Monday’s 3-1 win over San Jose, when he made 23 saves, including a pair of third-period stops that looked like sure-fire goals for the Sharks.
Early in the basketball season, many fans first found out about Rizor and the Lampe twins as they powered West Greene to a WPIAL playoff berth. However, I was told by several individuals that, despite their considerable skills on the court, the trio would be even more impressive on the softball diamond. Those predictions were more than fulfilled by the three, who have combined with sophomore Madison Renner and senior Bailey Bennington to create one of the most dangerous top halves of a lineup in not only the WPIAL, but the state.
Oh, and for any opposing coaches, players, fans, etc., who might somehow stumble across this column, there are reportedly more studs on the way from this year’s eighth grade class. Best of luck to you.
Lastly, and probably least importantly, both teams have provided similar methods for their fans to present a united front against the opposition. Whether at the CONSOL Energy Center or Lilly Field at California University of Pennsylvania, both Pioneer and Penguin fans can be easily identified by their uniform yellow shirts. Commonly known as a “gold rush,” especially in Pittsburgh, this look may not be as intimidating as say a “black out,” but it paints a great picture of the crushing support that has been present for the two squads.
(Note: This column was written before Thursday’s PIAA quarterfinal and Stanley Cup games. Best of luck to both teams as they chase their ultimate championship goals.)