Kyla Hutcherson
School: Kiski Area
Class: Sophomore
Sport: Softball
Claim to fame: Hutcherson produced a triple, a home run and three RBIs as Kiski Area (7-2, 4-2) beat Gateway 11-0 in Section 2-5A play Wednesday.
Take me through the at-bat where you hit the home run.
I was trying to lock in and I was only looking for a hit. I knew their pitcher, Brianna Banner, has some velocity. She’s a good pitcher. But I was expecting anything and I luckily hit a home run.
How many runners were on base when you hit that homer?
One. So, a two-run home run.
What about the triple?
Same approach. Expecting anything, changeup, fastball. The pitch I hit was inside and I just drove it to left field.
That’s one of the more exciting plays in softball. When did you know for sure you could reach third?
When I saw the ball got to the fence. Plus, the throw in wasn’t very good.
Playing varsity comes with some nerves, probably even more so as a sophomore. Do you get nervous and if so, how do you sort of push those feelings aside?
Yes, there are some nerves, a lot of pressure, but I try to keep my calm. If it’s a mistake, I can usually get over it. It’s in the past. Nothing I can do about it.
Any methods or things you do differently to calm your nerves?
Just taking deep breaths and maybe even singing here and there.
Looking back, what are your thoughts on how your freshman year went?
That was a great year. As a freshman, being able to play varsity and have the opportunity to bat fourth and have such a great season. Even if we didn’t win a lot of games, we still had a great team, great season.
Already a big turnaround in the overall wins and losses column compared with last year. What’s been a leading factor of that change?
All the freshman. We had 13 freshmen come out for the team. It was a big change. The fielding, hitting, everything. It brought in a different vibe.
What are your thoughts on the section and how tough it is?
It is a very tough section. Armstrong is a very good team, can hit very well. Penn-Trafford are the defending state champions. There’s a lot of room for us to grow and improve compared with last year.
One of your two losses came against Penn-Trafford. What makes them so tough?
They are such a strong team overall. They’re never getting down, even when they’re losing. They just know how to hit the ball.
How eager are you guys to go against them next Wednesday and try to play them tighter or even get a win?
I’m very excited to face them. Knowing they are state champions and a great team, I think we have a chance to compete against them. They lost a lot of starters form last year and we gained a lot of players, a lot of starters this year.
What were the team’s goals coming into the season?
Our goal was to make the playoffs. I have a good feeling we will this year. Another goal was to just go out and compete.
What individual goals did you set for yourself at the start of the year?
Fewer strikeouts, fewer errors and to start at first base.
Are you the starting first baseman and how do you like that position?
Yes, I am and I love it. I practice it 24/7.
Do you have a favorite college softball team you like to watch?
Not really. I do like watching Pitt.
Play any other sports?
Yes, I play volleyball. I’m a middle hitter.
Favorite meal?
Not specifically. I do like a good hoagie.
Do you have a favorite subject in school?
English or history.
Last TV show or movie you streamed?
Thursday night I watched “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.”
James Beall
School: Plum
Class: Senior
Sport: Lacrosse
Claim to fame: Beall scored five goals for Plum (6-4, 0-3) in a 16-4 win over Gateway in a nonsection match on Monday. He followed that net-filling performance with a hat trick in a 12-1 nonsection win over Avonworth on Thursday.
How and when did you get started with lacrosse?
One of my friends, Connor Burgess, who is a defenseman for us, he said freshman year that I should go out for lacrosse and that they were down some people. I didn’t have any sports going for me at the time, so I gave it a shot and I fell in love with the game.
What do you love most about the sport?
The physicality of the sport and the athleticism you need to have. The competition as well. I like the team bonding aspect. It’s a fun sport in general.
Any reason behind No. 5 as a jersey number?
Not really. I was eight, was always eight as a kid, but that number was taken. Five was my next choice, and it’s been the number since sophomore year.
What’s your favorite part of being an attacker?
Just being a playmaker. I was a midfielder, and this is my first year as an attackman. It was a big step up, but I think it’s the right position for me. I make plays, work the ball. It’s tough going up against the long poles, but you’re always trying to put the ball in the back of the net.
What was it like to make the position change and how do you like it?
I had to switch up my dodging technique. I use my speed, but can’t use my rolls anymore because if I do, I end up in a triple team. As a midfielder, those rolls were huge for me. I also have to look at the field and see where I can take my shots from. Since I can’t take them from the top of the field, I have to pass the ball or take a step down from right wing. I love it. Have more playing time this year and I love scoring. You love to see goals and assists next to your name. It’s just fun.
Which of the five goals you scored against Gateway was your favorite?
The fast break from Shane Jenkins. He came down the field after winning a faceoff, passed the ball to me. I took a step down and pinged the ball into the net.
Which was the most challenging to score?
Third goal, I think. I dodged from the side and came around the top to score. Especially because they had a weird defensive setup, something you wouldn’t normally see. The long poles played almost like a man-up situation from our vantage point. It was hard to get past them. Half our shots ended up hitting them.
Take me through the three goals you scored against Avonworth.
It was a really fast-paced game, but we came out ready to play and got stuff done. The one goal, I missed on crease, but Matt Amen got the chase, and he came up, passed it to me and came back up top and shot on the run. I got another goal with us being a man up. I can’t remember the third goal.
What’s the greatest number of goals and points you’ve scored in a game?
Number of goals, I think it was against Gateway on Monday. Points, I think I had 10 points one game last year. It’s been an incremental increase in points since my freshman year, and I think I’m averaging 2.3 goals a game this year.
Last year, you guys went winless in conference play and you’re currently 0-3 in that area right now. What’s been the No. 1 factor in those defeats and what makes the conference you’re in so tough?
The toughest part about it is how big the other schools are. In 3A, there are teams like North Allegheny, Upper St. Clair and Canon-McMillan. Their sidelines are almost triple ours, so it’s hard to match up against them. We should look a lot better next year because we will move down to 2A.
What will you guys need to do in the back half of conference play?
Our defense and offense need to play with more confidence. We need to take smart shots, play with our heart. We have a pretty good chance against Norwin, so hopefully we can get some wins out of this conference.
Overall, you guys have already surpassed last year’s win total. What can be attributed to the wins and the turnaround?
Last year, we didn’t really have a set offense. Coach (Ben) Keller makes sure we run set plays, and if we don’t, we’re not allowed to score. We have to keep running them, and it will always work out in the end with a goal. Before, it was every man for himself.
What were your individual goals coming into the season?
To get a positive record. We just hit our milestone for total wins in a season. I want to hit a bigger milestone and have a positive record. It will be great for the team, increase our confidence and get some good looks for Plum.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
From Coach Keller. He said, “You’re not a one-man offense. You have to pass the ball to other people. It’s a team game.” Since he said that, we’re seeing more assists on the scoresheet and more goals. Everybody’s connecting.
Favorite hobbies?
I love to ski. I ski at least four times a week in the winter. It gets me going, keeps me in shape and I love working out too. It’s a big thing for me.
What’s the one place you’ve skied that you’ve really liked?
Seven Springs. It’s an hour down the road. My dad skied there. The whole family does now. It’s a staple in western Pennsylvania.
What are your plans after graduation?
I was never a college kid. I was more of a trade guy. I’ve always wanted to do plumbing since I was a little kid. I took my test for the plumber’s union, and it came back pretty good. That’s probably the path and career I’ll follow. If it doesn’t work out, then college would be the route. But plumbing is the way to go.