Mt. Pleasant is not overcomplicating its first WPIAL softball championship appearance in five years.
In fact, the team’s approach is simple. The complexity could lie in the execution against one particular player.
The youthful Vikings know their fate likely begins and ends with South Park pitcher Sydney Sekely.
The right-hander, who has committed to Gannon, has 34 strikeouts in two playoff games including a 20 Ks in a 2-0 quarterfinal win over No. 8 Avonworth.
The experienced senior fanned 14 in a 2-0 win over No. 4 Ellwood City in the semis. She has allowed six earned runs all season.
“We have a pretty good idea of how she likes to attack hitters,” Mt. Pleasant coach Paul Reho said. “Most teams probably know that information but knowing it and getting in the box and executing are two different things.”
Third-seeded Mt. Pleasant (15-4) will try to run down its third WPIAL title, the first since 2021, when it faces No. 1 South Park (18-1) at 1 p.m. Thursday at Cal (Pa.).
South Park, which hasn’t won a WPIAL title since 2003, has had plenty of success in the regular season but has lost in the last two WPIAL finals to Mohawk, the No. 2 seed this year that was upset by No. 7 Keystone Oaks, 2-0, in the quarterfinals.
Mt. Pleasant edged out Keystone Oaks, 3-2, in eight innings in the semifinals.
“It’s going to take us playing fundamentally sound softball for seven innings,” South Park coach R.J. Matetic said. “Against a quality opponent like Mt. Pleasant, you can’t give away outs or extra opportunities. We need to be disciplined defensively, competitive in the circle and execute situationally at the plate. If we stay focused on doing the little things well, we’ll give ourselves a chance.”
Matetic said Mt. Pleasant plays the game “the right way” and respects the way the team competes.
The Vikings have not lost to a 3A team all season. They have four girls hitting .400 or better in junior Kendra Brunson (.492), sophomore Jenna Whipkey (.419), freshman Sadie Poole (.418) and freshman Emma Miller (.400).
Freshman Chloe Borelli, who had the walk-off hit in the semifinals, has a team-high 23 RBIs.
The issue with Sekely is that she does not give up many runs – 20, in fact, in 19 games. She is 16-1 with a gnat’s eyelash ERA of 0.41 and 203 strikeouts.
Reho doesn’t expect the Vikings to tee off on an arm like Sekely’s, but creating some chaos on the basepaths could lead to offense.
“She is having a tremendous year,” Reho said. “The biggest thing for us is, can we put balls in play? If we are able to put balls in play, are they hard-hit balls? If we can put hard-hit balls in play, be disciplined at the plate and get runners on base, I think we have a chance to be successful.”
Both teams average more than eight runs per game, but that number could shrink with the pitching matchup. Junior Danica Trainer is 13-4 with a 2.94 ERA and 98 Ks. She will likely need help from her defense.
South Park has 13 shutouts, including three in a row.
Sekely leads the team with a .516 batting average. Emma Hays hits .490 with 25 RBIs. Grace Kempton (.466, 27 hits, 23 RBIs) is another offensive threat.
The Eagles have 62 extra-base hits, including 17 triples.
“Our biggest strength has been how well connected this group is,” Matetic said. “The girls trust each other, they compete for each other, and they’ve shown resilience all season. We’ve had different players step up in big moments, and when we’re playing confidently and supporting one another, we’re a tough team to beat.”
South Park outnumbers Mt. Pleasant in seniors, five to two.
“Our leadership has really been the foundation of this season,” Matetic said. “Our seniors have created a culture where players support each other, compete for each other and stay resilient through adversity. They’ve shown the younger players what consistency, toughness and selflessness look like every day. In championship games, those intangibles can make all the difference.”
Holding a lead also is paramount in the playoffs. Veteran coaches will tell you how challenging it can be to reclaim a lead after losing it.
“It is going to come down to which team can do enough offensively to find a way to win,” Reho said. “I think both pitchers are tough. I think for the most part, we are pretty sound defensively.
“At the plate, we have to be aggressive but also disciplined.”