From the late 2010s into the early 2020s, Mt. Pleasant softball had a reputation for being one of the most dangerous hitting programs in the state.
The Vikings have a long way to go, but they are showing flashes at the plate that would make those big-swinging teams proud.
“We’re hitting and moving runners; I think we’re averaging around 14 hits a game so far,” coach Paul Reho said. “We have also been pretty sound defensively. These are the things we have to do if we want to win the section again.”
First-place Mt. Pleasant (5-1, 3-0 Section 1-3A) is averaging 9.8 runs per game, including 9.2 in section. The team had won five straight going into Wednesday’s home game against Southmoreland.
The Vikings, ranked No. 3 in 3A, beat Charleroi, 15-5 (six innings), Burrell, 8-2; Deer Lakes, 9-4; No. 5 Yough, 12-6; and Ringgold, 10-0 (five innings).
That came after an 11-5 season-opening loss to Berlin Brothersvalley.
A steadying presence has been junior pitcher Dani Trainer, who has become the primary arm in the circle this year.
Against Yough, Trainer overcame one bad inning to earn the complete-game win, while also hitting a solo home run.
“We’re going to let Dani roll,” Reho said. “The ball is hers.”
A bonus so far has been the play of a budding group of freshmen. There are seven freshmen on the roster, and three have cracked the starting nine in Sadie Poole, Chloe Borelli and Emma Miller.
“We didn’t know how things would go with the freshmen, but they have been playing pretty solid,” Reho said.
The Vikings will face another high-scoring team Friday when they travel to Ligonier Valley. The Rams (3-3, 1-1), under first-year head coach Patricia Houpt, are averaging nine runs per game. They had scored 54 runs and allowed 54 through six games.
Spartans a big hit
Defending WPIAL 6A champion Hempfield is rounding the bases with regularity again.
The Spartans are averaging 9.1 runs and have a team slash line that includes a .371 batting average, a .427 on-base percentage and .510 slugging percentage.
Their on-base plus slugging percentage is .937.
Freshman Jocelyn Luft was leading the team with a .542 batting average. She and her twin sister, Jayelyn Luft, had 13 hits each.
Jocelyn Luft also had a team-high 10 runs and was tied for the lead with eight RBIs.
State ranks
Hempfield moved up one spot to No. 2 in the TribLive HSSN 6A state rankings.
Central Dauphin is No. 1.
The rest of the top 5 is Cumberland Valley (3), Bethlehem Freedom (4) and Owen J. Roberts (5).
WPIAL ranks
Hempfield remained No. 1 in the TribLive WPIAL rankings in 6A, with Norwin staying at No. 4.
Mt. Pleasant began the week at No. 3 in Class 3A, while Yough moved into the No. 5 spot.
Jeannette went from No. 5 to No. 3 in Class A.
Games to watch
A Section 2-4A game to watch Thursday is Belle Vernon at West Mifflin. The Leopards will go on the road and try to upset the No. 2 Titans.
Penn-Trafford will play at Norwin on Thursday in nonsection play.
Notable local games Friday include Butler at Hempfield and Norwin at Seneca Valley in 6A; Kiski Area at Franklin Regional and Latrobe at Gateway in Section 1-5A; Highlands at Greensburg Salem and Knoch at Derry in Section 1-4A; Burrell at Yough, Deer Lakes at Southmoreland and Mt. Pleasant at Derry in Section 1-3A;and Leechburg at Jeannette in Section 3-A.