Addy Helsel doesn’t shirk any of the responsibilities that come along with being the captain of the Penn Hills softball team. Despite being a sophomore, Helsel has more experience than many of the girls in the high school program.
She started playing softball at age 5, while many of the Indians’ players started much later. Some of Penn Hills’ roster this year is made up of first-year players.
On the field, Helsel usually plays in the outfield. But due to injuries during Penn Hills’ 0-4 start, she has played shortstop. Helsel also can pitch.
“I like teaching girls new things,” Helsel said. “I like that I know some things that I can tell them to help them do better. I like being a leader.”
The Indians need leadership to be a building program in Section 1-5A, which is a meat grinder. Shaler, which beat Penn Hills, 17-0, in three innings March 30 at Linton Middle School, is the defending WPIAL champions. Fox Chapel and North Hills both won playoff games last season. Plum and Mars have strong histories.
Penn Hills coach Michelle Stiller is happy with the progress that has been made. The Indians, who used to play at Milltown Community Park, have a dedicated field at the middle school that saw improvements before this season.
“Our program’s really resilient,” Stiller said. “That’s what we’re about, growth and resilience. Our interest and our numbers are growing. We have 20 on the roster this year, which allows us to play JV games as well. Our middle school program is becoming more robust.”
Shaler coach Tom Sorce, who is a Penn Hills graduate, said he thought Penn Hills did a nice job of upgrading its facilities. He knows the only way for the Indians to continue the momentum moving forward is with building with the youth programs.
During Sorce’s first season at Shaler, the Titans finished 6-10.
“You have to start somewhere,” Sorce said. “They have coaches that are showing up and believing in them. … We built it with the JV team and the middle school teams. That’s how you are going to get the good players. It’s tough to teach at this level when you are playing a game.”
Penn Hills (0-5, 0-4) has been outscored 77-2 during its first five games. Helsel said the Indians haven’t been fazed by their early results.
Penn Hills expected a few bumps in the road as the team gained experience. Helsel collected the Indians lone hit during their loss to Shaler.
“I feel really proud to be on this team,” Helsel said. “We may not win a lot, but we’re also positive. We have a great group of girls, and we’re all so supportive of each other.”
Stiller said she is hoping to see gradual improvement as the year goes on.
“The girls are just working together,” Stiller said. “They are doing a good job of communicating. We really work on communication and effort. If we’re doing those things, I’m happy and the girls are happy. That’s how we stay together as a team.”