Mar 21, 2016 4 min read

While most programs would consider winning a section title and postseason game as a pretty successful season, expectations have become much higher than that in recent years for the Canon-McMillan High School softball team.

When the program makes lengthy trips into the postseason a common occurance, that tends to happen.

That’s why Canon-McMillan is looking to rebound in 2016, despite winning at least a share of the Section 4-AAAA title for the fourth consecutive season and winning a first-round playoff game last year. The Big Macs, as has been the case for several years, have a talent-laden lineup with which to do so. What they still have to find out, however, is if they have a pitcher capable of carrying them deep into the postseason.

“We have some untested pitchers,” admitted Canon-McMillan head coach Michele Moeller. “I won’t know about them until they get in the circle.”

Moeller has a couple of candidates to replace graduated Tara Fowler, who went 14-3 a year ago, pitching all but four of the team’s 98 2/3 innings. Senior Kaylee Gohring and sophomore Abi Michelucci combined to throw the other four varsity innings last year and are battling for the job as the No. 1 starter this season.

“Kaylee’s a senior but hasn’t pitched a lot of varsity,” said Moeller. “Abi has played a lot of travel ball but hasn’t been in varsity situations. They’re really neck and neck.”

Moeller hopes to find out more about the two and settle on a starter when the team travels to Myrtle Beach, S.C., later this week for some scrimmages and its season opener.

After that, there won’t be much time for fiddling with the lineup. The Big Macs open section play Monday against Mt. Lebanon.

What Moeller does know is the defense behind whomever emerges as the No. 1 starter will be solid.

All-District shortstop Linda Rush, a Drexel recruit, returns for her senior season after compiling a .577 batting average, 11 homers, 31 RBI and 33 runs a year ago. She also had only four errors in 71 chances.

The rest of the infield – second baseman Brittany Crawford (.456 batting average), a St. Francis (Pa.) recruit, third baseman Kirsten Rush (.354) and first baseman Kaetlyn Greaves (.327) also return, while Julia Ciotti (.364) will be behind the plate.

The outfield also returns a pair of experienced players in Kayla Hopkins (.518) and Jada Kemp (.357).

Four-time All-District player Abby McCartney and Taylor Bruno are both gone, as is Fowler, who was a solid hitter and defensive player.

“I feel pretty good about our lineup,” said Moeller. “Not having Abby will hurt, but a lot of people were walking her last year.

“I think we’ll be in the playoff run again, but a lot of that depends on what happens in the circle.”

Jay Krull takes over as head coach at Peters Township this year after after leading Seton-La Salle to a 56-10 record in the previous four seasons.

Krull, who replaces Bob Bowers, inherits a lineup that graduated eight seniors, including pitchers Carly Konopka and Kellyn Perich.

He returns four starters.

Junior Kylie Hartbauer is expected to be the top pitcher for the Indians in rugged Section 4-AAAA. Other returners Olivia Castellone, Bri Smith, Jenny Fitzgerald and Haley Cecere will be counted on to solidify the lineup.

“We expect to compete for a playoff spot,” said Krull of the Indians, who missed the playoffs with a 5-7 record in section play last season.

“I know it’s a difficult section. When I was at Seton-La Salle, we didn’t play many games against these teams, but we did scrimmage Baldwin, Bethel Park, Peters Township and Canon-McMillan. There really are no weak points in the section. But we expect to compete.”