Lady Pioneers feel no pressure entering season
West Greene蘑菇视频 Madison Renner celebrates as she heads for home plate after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of the Lady Pioneers' WPIAL Class A championship game win over Monessen on June 1 last year at California University of Pa.蘑菇视频 Lilley Field. Renner is back for her senior season. The Lady Pioneers lost only one player from their 2017 team, which went on to win the PIAA title.
West Greene pitcher Jade Renner goes into her wind-up with third baseman Madison Lampe in the background during the Lady Pioneers鈥� 9-8 victory over Williams Valley in the 2017 PIAA Class A softball championship game, June 16, at Nittany Lion Softball Park in University Park. Renner, who was the winning pitcher and had four hits, and Lampe both return for the 2018 season as West Greene shoots for its third consecutive WPIAL championship and second straight state title.
After winning two straight section and WPIAL titles, as well as being the defending PIAA Class A champion, West Greene softball coach Billy Simms says his team feels no pressure for 2018.
鈥淚t has been a whirlwind offseason for us,鈥� said Simms, who is entering his 13th year with a career record of 168-81. 鈥淲e have been honored by the public at Rain Day and the Jacktown Fair, as well as trips to PNC Park and the state capital. I told the girls to soak it all in.
鈥淲e reached all of those expectations last year and I feel like a weight has been lifted off of our shoulders. We are playing free and loose. But don鈥檛 mistake that for a lack of focus. These girls are competitors and they want to continue winning. Last year was last year. It has no impact on what we do this season. We want to continue to set the bar high at West Greene.鈥�
Over the last two seasons, the Lady Pioneers have an overall record of 52-3, including 26-1 last year, and capped off last season with a dramatic 9-8 victory over Williams Valley in the state championship at Penn State University.
West Greene trailed 7-0 through two innings in the title game. The Lady Pioneers avenged a 3-2 defeat the prior year in the finals to Williams Valley.
In the history of WPIAL varsity softball, which dates back to 1972, there have only been six teams to win three straight WPIAL titles. The last team to do it was Vincentian Academy in 2008-10.
West Greene tallied 283 runs last season and scored at least 10 runs in 16 of their 27 games. The offense had a good balance of speed and power throughout the lineup, and Simms expects the same approach.
鈥淲e have a lot of versatility in our lineup,鈥� Simms explained. 鈥淲e can hit for power and average. Everyone knows they have an important role in our lineup. We can鈥檛 rest on our laurels and we have to bring the same approach this season. We are going to try to work on more situational hitting this year.鈥�
One key cog to the offense is senior shortstop Madison Renner. Last year the Muskingum University recruit had a .500 batting average and a 1.011 slugging percentage with a team-high 12 home runs and 58 RBI. She also saw time in the pitching circle, throwing 30.2 innings with a 1.14 ERA and 38 strikeouts.
Other key offensive pieces are junior third basemen Madison Lampe (.567 average/8 home runs/52 RBI/51 runs scored), junior center fielder McKenna Lampe (.643 average/7 home runs/48 stolen bases/64 runs scored) and junior second basemen Kaitlyn Rizor (.540 average/33 RBI/28 runs scored).
Rizor will be sidelined the first couple of weeks of the season after sustaining a hand injury during basketball season.
Senior first basemen Lexie Mooney, senior left fielder Linzee Stover and junior right fielder Mackenzie Carpenter fill out the rest of the starting lineup.
West Greene only had to replace one starter and that is behind the plate. Sophomore Kylie Simms tops the list of replacements at the catcher spot this spring.
鈥淥nce again we are blessed to have depth on our roster,鈥� coach Simms said. 鈥淲e have about 20-25 girls and a good freshmen group coming in. We lost our one starter (catcher Shelby Morris), and have a couple different plans to replace her. Some of our girls can play multiple positions, which always helps.鈥�
After a sensational freshman campaign on the rubber, sophomore pitcher Jade Renner will look to repeat the same success this season.
The lefty ace went 19-1 with a 1.90 ERA in 114.1 innings with 84 strikeouts and 11 walks. Renner held the opposition to a .208 batting average.
鈥淪he has continued to grow as a pitcher and she is always looking to add more to her pitches,鈥� coach Simms said. 鈥淚 think her speed is underrated and I think she will grow into a punch-out pitcher. Her location is everything. She蘑菇视频 like Greg Maddux out there with her control.鈥�
Jade Renner also had a solid year at the plate with a .405 batting average and 24 RBI. Also, Renner struck out just once in 79 at-bats.
Section 2-A is one of the toughest sections in Class A with the likes of Carmichaels and Monessen.
鈥淚 think it蘑菇视频 the best (section) in Class A,鈥� coach Simms pointed out. 鈥淢onessen will always be a challenge because they have one of the best pitchers in the area. Carmichaels has a great offense with a solid catcher. I believe California and Mapletown are right there, and both of those teams are athletic.鈥�
West Greene have an overall record of 4-1 and 1-0 mark in Section 2-A with wins over Avella (15-0 in three innings), Worthington Christian, of Ohio (11-1 in six innings), Perry, of Ohio (11-4) and Cape May Tech, of New Jersey (15-0). The Lady Pioneers were scheduled to play Frazier in a non-section game on Wednesday.
The Lady Pioneers鈥� lone loss of the season so far was against Liverpool (New York), 9-1, at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Other key non-section games this season include at Chartiers-Houston (April 7), McGuffey (April 16) at home and at Waynesburg Central (April 30).
鈥淥ur goal is to never go undefeated in the regular season,鈥� coach Simms said. 鈥淲e want to schedule the most difficult non-section teams. We don鈥檛 want to schedule any cupcakes or any easy games, because that will not help us down the road. We want to play every team at a high level and be hungry for every game. Winning a state title last year was absolutely euphoric, but it means nothing this season.鈥�