A closer look at the 2013 State College Area High School softball team:
Coach — Rick Hall, eighth season.
2012 record — 7-11. “It was a transition year for us. I only started one senior. We have a lot of kids back that were still young,” Hall said.
Returning letter winners — Jess Henderson, Hope Guthhoff, Allie Baney, Michaella Francis, Megan Robert, Michaela Rittenhouse, Corey Marfitt, Lexi Matevi, Sharaya Simco, Sarah Flick, Hannah Sefter
Key losses: Gretchen Hallberg and Hannah Mazzochi.
Strengths — Hall believes pitching is the team’s biggest strength.
“We are deeper into pitching than we’ve ever been in the eight years I’ve been here,” he said. “Right now I’d feel comfortable throwing three pitchers. Our infield play should be strong.”
Concerns — Though he knows his team has skill, Hall said the players must get more consistent with their hitting.
“It’s our weakness. (We need consistent) hitting with runners in scoring position.” Losing Hallberg and Mazzochi has Hall hoping others will step up to the plate. “We lost two key seniors last year. Their statistics may not have shown it, but their leadership, we need people to pick that up. They were very vital in their leadership last year,” he said.
Outlook — Entering a new league doesn’t scare Hall and the Lady Little Lions.
“We’re going into a new league with that Mid-Penn conference. We need to be competitive in that league, be competitive in every game. Our goal in our program since I’ve been here, it’s never been about win-loss records. It’s always been about trying to get this team ready for district play,” Hall said. “Last year was the first time we hadn’t won the district title for five years in a row. So that system has worked. Our goal is to always be playing our best and win a district title at the end of the year.”
Early season — Hall is looking forward to seeing what his team has to offer, as the players become more consistent.
“I think there’s potential here to be good. I’m looking forward to seeing if we can get consistent play, game in and game out, as well as practice every day,” he said.
Circle these dates — vs. Cumberland Valley (April 19); vs. Chambersburg and Central Dauphin (TBA).
image: Tim Weight/For The Gazette
