New season, higher goals for Monessen
Monessen has raised the bar in each of the past three softball seasons.
Three years ago, behind then-freshman pitcher Dana Vatakis, the Greyhounds made the playoffs for the first time and won their first playoff game. In 2016, they made the WPIAL semifinals for the first time, and last year they made the WPIAL championship game for the first time finishing as the runner-up to West Greene. They also made the PIAA tournament for the first time.
So with so many firsts out of the way, what is the next step for Monessen’s natural progression?
“We want to compete for the (Section 2-A) title, although we are in a very competitive section,” said Monessen coach Bo Teets, referring to defending WPIAL and PIAA champion West Greene as well as Carmichaels and Jefferson-Morgan. “We want to advance to the postseason for the fourth consecutive season and we will do this by playing solid defense, develop discipline and have power at the plate.”
The team returns seven starters, led by Robert Morris signee Vatakis.
The senior ace has taken the program’s pitching record book and made it her own, and teammate Carly Rock is her battery mate behind the plate for a third year.
The other returning starters include senior infielders Maddie Guzzie and Destiny Habeck, outfielders Mattie Telegraphis, a junior, and Cara Wheeler, a senior, as well as senior designated player Paige Kerestesi.
“We have a lot of experience back in the lineup and that will be a key for us,” Teets said. “We are counting on the experience to win us some close games.”
Teets mentioned four key newcomers in junior utility player Sasha Kenney, junior infielder Gabby Simpson, freshman utility player Hannah Yorty and freshman outfielder Syndey Caterino.
“They will all play important roles throughout the season,” Teets said. “We will need each of them to step up.”
Teets has set team goals.
“We want to make the routine defensive plays, put the ball in play offensively while minimizing strikeouts and have timely hitting in clutch situations,” he said. “If we can do that, we will be successful.”
Successful enough, Teets hopes, for the team to reach one or two more “firsts” for the program.