COACH TALK: Softball Seasons Are Underway

Ellwood City and Riverside softball seasons are underway. Each team will look to return to their respective WPIAL class playoffs.

Nine starters are back for Ellwood City and head coach Gary Rozanski is looking to improve in all aspects of the game.

After an opening round playoff defeat last season, the Ellwood City Wolverines softball team will look to build on its 11-win campaign last season and secure yet another playoff berth.

“New season, same group of players, and we want to be playing our best at the end of the season,” says the coach who returns for his 19th season.

“We have a great group of girls returning, their experience is going to be important to our success and continue to build upon the past success
that we have had.” adds Rozanski.

Ellwood City finished 11-6 Overall (6-4 in Section 2-AAA) last season, good for third in section play behind Mohawk and Central Valley. The Wolverines were bounced by Yough in the WPIAL First Round.

Including seniors Ellie Kalantzis (OF), Julia Nardone (UTL), and Keira Rozanski (2B/OF), the returning players all need to step up and become leaders according to the coach.

“We will need the new players to quickly mature and assume some leadership as well. It will be important for each player to contribute to her role.”

Sophomore Amber McQuistion, who earned all-section honors last season, returns on the mound for the Wolverines.

McQuistion twirled a no-hitter on Monday as the Wolverines routed South Side 12-0 in five innings improving Ellwood City’s record to 2-1 on the young season. The sophomore struck out 11 batters on the mound and also collected a single offensively. Kalantzis poked two hits and collected one of the teams four doubles in the victory.

Rozanski mentions the Wolverines are looking for all players regardless of class to contribute to the improvement of the team in different aspects. Whether that be in practice, being a courtesy/pinch runner, Designated Hitter, etc.

“We will need all of the players to contribute for us to be successful.”

Freshman Dakota Hicks, Lena Lucarelli, Kaylee Palombi, and Rylee Prestopine are joining the fray along with sophomores Alexis Beck, Crystal Folinio, Natalee Gillin, Kyley LeViere, and Amber McQuistion. Sara Schwartz is the lone junior on the roster.

To be successful, the Wolverines will need to play as a team, put the ball in play, and make the routine plays on defense according to Rozanski.

“The section is very competitive with quality teams. We will need to stay focused, play one game at a time,” says Rozanski. “Each game we will need to play our best.”

Joining Ellwood City in Section 2-AAA is Mohawk, Central Valley, Hopewell, Beaver Falls, Quaker Valley.

“Each section game is what we focus on,” says Rozanski. “We always look forward to playing our rival Riverside.”

Ellwood City squares off against its crosstown rival at home on Thursday, March 28th and later in the season, April 25th at Riverside.

“We have been fortunate to have success in the past,” concludes Rozanski. “We are always looking to improve.”

Coming into the season the girls are excited and have a great attitude. Success from the past seasons is becoming a standard for each team and the Wolverines will use the playoff benchmark as a goal and also to improve and be better than the year before.

RIVERSIDE EYES CONTINUING PLAYOFF SUCCESS

Riverside won its first playoff game in 10 years last season, but expects a lot of new faces in different positions according to its head coach Gerilynn Cummings.

Junior CF Danielle Rosenberger returns after hitting .549, breaking the school’s stolen base record (33) and earning all-section honors. Returning starter, shortstop Mia Williams (.378) is a Fairmont commit.

The Panthers will rely on sophomore pitchers Joci Cummings and Ayla Sterner.

“They’re sophomores who have big shoes to fill after 2024 grad Samantha Rosenberger’s stellar performance last year,” says the head coach.

Riverside finished 12-5 Overall in 2023 and fell to section foe Laurel in the WPIAL Class-AA Playoffs. The Panthers graduated four starters from the 2023 squad but will look to return to the playoffs.

“I know our team expects to make postseason and they want to get more postseason wins for the school,” says Cummings.

The team features several very solid players who will get their opportunity at the varsity level this year, bringing excitement to the team according to Cummings. Junior Ainslee Freshcorn, Cummings, and Sterner have the desire to play at the next level.

“Several girls have been waiting for their opportunity for more playing time so they accept roles and are looking forward to being next up for our team.”

Overall, Cummings thinks the team views the challenge as an achievable goal to have a sound, successful year.

With the top four teams in Section 1-AA making playoffs last season, the Panthers, who finished third in the section, will look to make yet another run at a playoff berth in 2024.

“Neshannock and Laurel always being strong, we know the Shenango, Freedom, and New Brighton games are critical for post-season opportunity,” concludes Cummings.

The Panthers open up section play Tuesday, traveling to play at Freedom at 4:00 p.m. and battles rival Ellwood City on Thursday.