Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Kate Tarr
School: Burgettstown
Year: Junior
Sport: Softball
Tarr’s week: The Blue Devils’ starting pitcher had four wins, recording 34 strikeouts, throwing a three-inning no-hitter Thursday at Freedom and hitting two home runs.
It was a critical week for Burgettstown with Tarr leading the Blue Devils (7-0, 12-1) to three Section 1-AA victories, including a 4-0 win Saturday against South Side Beaver to secure first place. She went 5-for-11 at the plate with six RBI.
Tarr is batting .357 with a .750 slugging percentage, three home runs and 15 RBI.
“It was really exciting because I know how good my team is this year,” Tarr said. “I’m trying to be the best I can be so we can get to states and win this year. I’m really trying to pull through for my team.”
Control: Tarr, a three-year starter, was a threat both in the field and at the plate as a sophomore, batting .333 with a team-high 32 RBI and finishing with a 10-4 record as a pitcher. Her improvement helped Burgettstown to the WPIAL Class A semifinals and PIAA quarterfinals.
The Blue Devils’ season ended with a loss to Neshannock, which also ended their WPIAL playoff run. Last summer, Tarr attended a pitching camp run by Rita Lynn Gilman, a nationally known pitching instructor. Tarr threw in the Burgettstown’s gymnasium twice each week during basketball season.
The goal was to hone her control and perfect her form. The result is a more refined pitcher. Tarr has already matcher her win total from last season, her walks are down and strikeouts are up.
“She’s really worked on her control and command,” Burgettstown coach Mark Deer said. “She’s letting her defense work for her and isn’t trying to strikeout everyone out. She’s matured.”
The 6-3 righty was dominant last week. She struck out 13 and hit a home run Tuesday against Avonworth and followed with a no-hitter against Freedom.
Success against opponents at the Cal Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach S.C., last month helped Tarr build her confidence. It also showed the offseason work paid off.
“Last year, I wasn’t as confident because I knew I could do better than I did,” Tarr said. “I did gain a lot of confidence after all these victories and having the ability to beat some teams with my pitches – strikeouts or getting them to hit a pitch I wanted them to hit.”
States: The Blue Devils one game away from playing for the WPIAL title and two victories shy of the PIAA final last year. Both playoff runs were ended by their defense, which struggled mightily against Neshannock.
Burgettstown has played clean defensively in 2015, allowing Tarr to trust that contact made by a batter is not always bad.
“It’s really great this year because I know if I throw a pitch that’s hittable, then my teammates have my back and they know I have their back,” Tarr said. “It’s a great relationship we have. This is my favorite team.”
Compiled by Lance Lysowski