Fox Chapel softball coach Larry Troutman was only interested in finding a way to make the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. That’s what he told himself, anyway, when the Foxes went through a four-game stretch of the Section 1-5A schedule where they lost three times in four games.
But that stretch was a chance for Fox Chapel to take a step back and refocus on the big picture. The Foxes rallied with a 4-3 win over New Castle and a 13-0 win over Mars to sew up a spot in the postseason.
“I’d rather have an ugly win than a pretty loss,” Troutman said. “That stretch was good for us. There are things in the field and at the plate we are working on them. It’s evolving, and we can still get momentum before the playoffs. I’m not worried about the seed. It’s 5A, so it’s going to be tough.”
Fox Chapel (10-4, 7-4) had to refocus after losing to Plum and North Hills in section rematches. The loss to the Indians haunts Troutman. Fox Chapel missed an opportunity for a rare sweep of North Hills after leaving 14 runners on base.
“I said in the preseason how good this team would be because of timely hitting,” Troutman said. “We didn’t get any of that against North Hills.”
Against the Mustangs, Fox Chapel got slowed down thanks to the strong work of Riley Stephans in the circle. The Foxes were only able to muster one run.
“She was amazing,” Troutman said. “We didn’t hit the ball well.”
Those losses made Fox Chapel’s game against New Castle on April 17 more important. There isn’t much separation between second and fourth place.
Heidi Stiger doubled and drove in two runs, while Bella Geller delivered with the game-winning double in the sixth inning to help the Foxes get by the Red Hurricanes.
“Our bats came alive again,” Troutman said. “We cashed in those runs, and that’s important because our pitching is strong. We play good defense. I’m excited for the playoffs.”
Fox Chapel will lean on pitcher Jillian Haigh down the stretch. Freshman pitcher Lexi Stabile is nursing an injury and hopes to make a quick return.
“The good thing is Jillian has been there, done that,” Troutman said. “She’s fresh, too.”
Fox Chapel only has one section game left on the schedule. The Foxes’ result from their game against Mars on April 24 was too late for this edition.
Fox Chapel will then have four nonsection games to prepare for the playoffs.
“Really, the most important thing over the next few weeks is that we build some consistency again like we had at the beginning of the year,” Troutman said. “It’s great we were playing well. I tell the girls you don’t want to be the best team at the beginning of the year, you want to be the best team at the end of the year.”