What can they do for an encore? The Ohio Outlaws swept the nationally recognized Team New Jersey Summer Classic held last week in Edison, N.J. The DeMarini Diamond (18U), Premier PA-Morrison (16U) and Premier Parsons (14U) squads all took first place in their respective divisions. “The sweep was huge for the organization,â€? said Warren Wolff, who is founder and president of the Ohio Outlaws. “We felt like we were the premier organization in our region — the Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia area — and to go out there and beat some of the best teams on the East Coast and in the country was phenomenal, and reassured that we are doing things right.â€? It is the first time in the history of the tournament that three teams from the same organization won championships. “The fact that it has never been done by any other organization, considering the elite organizations that play in the event — like the SoCal Athletics, OC Busters, Beverly Bandits, Georgia Impact, Jersey Intensity, Virginia Glory, Vienna Stars and Rhode Island Thunder, just to name a few — is something these young ladies should be proud of,â€? Wolff said. Fast start Actually, the DiMarini Diamond 18U squad has opened the summer season with two tournament titles and a 13-1-1 overall record. At New Jersey, DiMarini Diamond defeated a strong Rhode Island Thunder Gold opponent in the championship game; along with the Arizona Hotshots, PA Chaos, SoCal Athletics and New Jersey Intensity in the elimination rounds. Other tournament wins came against the likes of the Colorado Stars and Washington Ladyhawks Gold. “All in all, things went well for us in New Jersey,â€? said Larry Mercurio, coach of the DeMarini Diamond 18U squad. “We won the 18U division after playing some stiff national competition. Each game, we gelled more and more. We won our second game, tied the third, then won everything after that. “What was even more amazing about Team New Jersey was the Ohio Outlaws’ performance as a whole. While we went 8-1-1 in winning the championship game, our Premier-Morrison team won the 16U division after going undefeated with an 8-0 record, and our Premier-Parsons team won the 14U division with a 6-0-2 record. Lastly, our 15U Premier-Karcher team secured third place in the 16U division after being eliminated by Premier-Morrison (in the semifinal round).â€? In the fall and winter months, DeMarini Diamond went 17-0-2 while participating in its own Fall Brawl Showcase in Cleveland and the D9 Fall Classic in Orlando, giving the Outlaws squad a 30-1-3 overall record in 2016-17. All-around success The Ohio Outlaws organization is promoted on its website as a fast-pitch travel softball organization with 21 teams ranging from 10U to 18U, and is affiliated with Premier Girls Fastpitch and American Softball Association. Ohio Outlaws players hail mainly from Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Teams play a competitive tournament schedule with the goal of advancing to a national championship tournament. For the older girls, college exposure is the main objective; these teams travel to participate in some of the top showcase tournaments in the country. Ohio Outlaws also host a number of PGF tournaments, including the Breast Cancer Shootout, Summer Invitational and DeMarini Fall Brawl. Elder statesmen The DeMarini Diamond team consists of 12 players — all of whom are committed to college programs. And there is a Western Pennsylvania connection on the club — Hempfield’s Morgan Ryan (Notre Dame), Seton-La Salle’s Lexi Wagner (Pitt), Derry’s Chelsea Bisi (Penn State) and North Hills’ MeKenzie Saban (St. Francis). The state of Ohio is represented by Kristen Kuhrt (Bucknell), Katie Yun (Ohio), Kylie Coffelt (Duke), Madi McCrady (Ohio), Addie Kittel (Lehigh) and Kennadie Goth (Kent State). Rounding out the squad are Rachel Rousseau (Marshall), from West Virginia; and Olivia Patton (Indiana), from Michigan. Ryan (pitcher), McCrady (pitcher), Rousseau (3B/OF), Saban (SS/3B), Yun (SS/2B) and Goth (OF) are 2017 high school graduates. Coffelt (pitcher), Bisi (SS/2B/1B), Kittel (1B/C), Patton (OF) and Wagner (OF) will graduate next year, while Kuhrt (catcher) will be a 2019 graduate. “The DeMarini Diamond Squad is made up of our committed 18U-eligible athletes who we feel will give us the best opportunity to compete at a national level,â€? Mercurio said. “Kristen Kuhrt is the only 16U eligible athlete on the team, and she’s here with us for good reason. Kristen is, in my opinion, the best catcher I’ve seen in the game. “Kristen, a 2019 Bucknell University commit, has allowed only one passed ball and four stolen bases in 109 innings. And her framing is nothing short of collegiate level, even though she is only going into her junior year at Walsh Jesuit High School where she catches DeMarini pitcher, Madi McCrady. This team does not have the same success without Kristen Kuhrt.â€? Mercurio is assisted by Rod Bisi and Mike Wagner. Field boss Mercurio also is coach of the Class 3A state championship South Park softball team, which finished 21-3 overall in 2017. Teamwork is an essential component of his coaching philosophy, and his lifestyle. When he’s not coaching the South Park and Ohio Outlaws squads, Mercurio is part of a 46-person SWAT team, as well as a K9 officer for the City of Pittsburgh Police Department. “Twenty-two years of law enforcement, most of that time spent within the SWAT and K9 units, has taught me the value of principles, fundamentals and teamwork,â€? Mercurio said. “Teamwork is relied upon tremendously in both entities. Granted, the stakes are much higher and loss cuts much deeper, but the approach is similar.â€? Mercurio, 48, has coached at South Park for three years. His first high school coaching position was with the Seton-La Salle softball program in 2011, as an assistant for John Krull. “As my daughters finished up (high school), I was heavily involved in coaching with the Outlaws and hadn’t given any thought of continuing to coach in high school until approached about the South Park position,â€? Mercurio said. “I felt strongly that South Park was a great opportunity, and I accepted the position.â€? Mercurio took over at South Park at midseason in 2015. The Eagles have captured back-to-back section titles, and advanced to the WPIAL finals and PIAA semifinals in 2016, finishing with a 16-5 overall record. “My coaching philosophies are very similar for both the Outlaws and at South Park,â€? Mercurio said. “Detailed focus, and the application of proper training, fundamentals and mindset will prepare the athletes for this game of inches. Like high school ball, we ask a lot of our athletes, and they respond well to the challenge. We trust they will get the work in both at home and with their instructors, and we will reinforce that information in both practice and game speed. “Where the two differ is in the recruiting aspect, as well as the preparing our athletes to play at the collegiate level. The Outlaws organization focuses a great deal of our effort in recruitment, as you can see by our results. I believe where we differ from some other organizations is that our athletes must put quite a bit of work in marketing themselves to college programs. This activity is monitored by our program, as well. Most important to us is that our athletes receive a great education, and if they can utilize the sport they love as an avenue to save their family some finances in the long run, then it’s a win for everybody.â€? Mercurio’s wife Dawn also is employed as an officer in the Pittsburgh Police Department. “Dawn and I met in middle school and have been a couple ever since,â€? Mercurio said. “She loves the game as much as I do, and often travels with me when I’m coaching my Outlaws team. This is what I burn all of my vacation time on. And my wife comes with me to most of the tournaments, as well. She loves the game, the families, and everything that comes along with the travel and sightseeing.â€? College prospects The Ohio Outlaws organization has more than 100 athletes committed to or are currently playing in Division I college softball programs, and many more at other levels. Mercurio, who has been an Outlaws coach for four years, has the highest regard for Wolff, who founded the organization in 2009. “Warren Wolff has placed Western Pennsylvania softball on the D-I map, and his organization is rapidly expanding,â€? Mercurio said. “A few years ago, Warren and I met with an array of D-I college coaches. There was a collective agreement between the coaches that too many high level athletes were coming into their programs unprepared to secure a spot. Their largest complaint was that some athletes were being overcoached, resulting in a lack of confidence in their game. “Since then, we have made it a priority to not only coach but also to encourage the girls to make in-game decisions, thus upping their individual softball IQ.â€? Eagles take flight Two South Park players, third baseman Katlyn Pavlick (Pitt) and shortstop Kaitlyn Morrison (Penn State), are members of the Ohio Outlaws Premier PA-Morrison (16U) team, which is coached by Dave Morrison and Jeff Pavlick from South Park. “Playing for coach Larry is interesting, as he can relate his job to the game of softball,â€? Pavlick said. “He teaches us the importance of teamwork and always having each other’s back. Our softball team, just like his SWAT team, requires everybody to do their part in order to be successful. “Also, it’s cool to hear about his experiences on the job. He makes it more than just a game of softball for us.â€? Added Morrison: “I have so much respect for (Mercurio) and his job as an officer. He is so committed to what he does, just as he is to our team. He’s always trying to make a difference, and it’s not just always about sports.â€? Other Premier PA-Morrison (16U) team members are Bailey Parshall (Belle Vernon), Chloe Weldrick (Akron, Ohio), Rachel Martindale (North Allegheny), Kylee Lingenfelter (Punxsutawney), Morgan Farrah (Munhall), Makenzie Stiles (Deposit, N.Y.), Avrey Schumacher (Westerville, Ohio), Sarah Seamans (New Castle), Chet Rinaldi (Youngstown, Ohio) and Madison Posterivo (Pittsburgh). All the players on the Premier Parsons (14U) club reside in Ohio — Payton Porter, Katie Mobley, Avery Shepherd, Carley Auten, Lexi Parsons, Madison Roukey, Bryn Elliott, Boo Sturgill, Caleigh Rister, K.K. Clark, Sydney Baker and Alexsa Hurd. Coming up The Ohio Outlaws are competing this week in a tournament in Boulder, Colo., and will play July 7-9 in Columbus, Ohio. The PGF nationals will take place July 22-28 in Huntingdon Beach, Calif. “Hopefully, (the sweep in New Jersey) catapults us to a good showing at the Boulder IDT, which is the best tournament in the country as far as competition goes,â€? Wolff said. “Some people say it is as good as the PGF nationals.â€? Ray Fisher is a freelance writer. Email Newsletters TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.