Baldwin held a one-game lead over Thomas Jefferson by mid-March in the Section 4-5A softball standings.
After 10 games, the Highlanders were 7-0 in section play and 9-1 overall thanks to nine consecutive victories.
“We are very pleased with the play so far,” Baldwin coach Ron Santillo said. “We’ve played tough teams starting in Tennessee. And 5A is brutal no matter who you play. The girls have competed from Day 1.
“Our girls are a very close team with strong athletes and amazing leaders in every class. We expect to continue to get better and better.”
Having Melina DeFelice in the circle gave the Highlanders genuine optimism heading into the second half of the season.
DeFelice, a junior, is in her second year as the team’s starting pitcher after splitting time in the pitching circle last season with then-freshman Camryn Temme. Through 10 games, DeFelice had 9-1 record, 1.80 ERA and 70 strikeouts. As of April 13, she had 117 career strikeouts.
“Melina has been a tremendous competitor on the mound in every situation,” Santillo said. “Her strength is her toughness. She loves to compete and she wants the ball.”
DeFelice is supported by a strong offense. Baldwin was averaging 8.6 runs per game while allowing 2.8 runs on average.
“The atmosphere this year has been super positive,” she said, “and we have been focused on the team’s outcome rather than our individual performances. We’re going to continue to keep positive mindsets going into future games, but with an overall goal of making a deep run in the playoffs.”
The 5-foot-4, 130-pound DeFelice started her varsity career as a freshman relief pitcher.
Baldwin’s starting lineup consists of junior Ava Bonacci (2B); sophomore Camryn Temme (P/OF); seniors Jordan Gerendash (SS), Reese Temme (CF), Avery Herrington (C), Mackenzie Bowen (LF); juniors Teaghan Scanlon (1B) and DeFelice (P); and sophomore Jules Ditoro (3B).
“The only other big part of our strong start was losing three veteran all-section players to graduation,” Santillo said. “Jules Ditoro, Ava Bonacci and Teaghan Scanlon worked very hard in the offseason, stepped into those spots prepared, and they have not missed a beat.”
The Highlanders’ top three hitters consisted of Bonacci (.583), Reese Temme (.550) and Herrington (.514). Temme had 17 RBIs, Herrington had 15 and Bonacci racked up 12 stolen bases.
“This team is truly something special,” Temme said. “We have built a strong bond that carries us through games. We continue to hold our expectations high and pick one another up at every opportunity.
“My expectations are high. I see the amazing athletes my teammates are and the chemistry we have cultivated, making us a truly special team. I have no doubts that we can continue to do great things this season.”
Temme, a third-year starter who missed her freshman season because of an injury, plans to continue her career at Case Western Reserve while studying both civil and environmental engineering.
Temme and Bonacci banged out 22 and 21 base hits, respectively, this season with Herrington chipping in with 18.
“The team has been playing as one,” Herrington said. “Our bond is the strongest it’s been and it’s showing in our games. We’re just out there having fun and playing with confidence. We have done a great job staying focused throughout the entire game and trusting our abilities.
“I have high expectations for the rest of the season, I know we have the talent and drive to win our section and make a run through the WPIAL playoffs. We lost in the first round last year so we have the determination to further our season.”
Herrington is a four-year starter, two at shortstop and two behind the plate. She will be attending Saint Vincent College next year to continue her softball career and major in nursing.
The Highlanders are looking to maintain their winning ways in the second half of the season.
“Our expectations are the same as always — to compete,” Santillo said. “We compete for seven innings knowing we have a chance if we still have life.”
Baldwin (10-1, 8-0) defeated Connellsville, 7-2, on April 13 to maintain its one-game lead over Thomas Jefferson in the section standings.