Sep 22, 2014 5 min read

Four years ago, Canon-McMillan head softball coach Michele Moeller met an 11-year-old softball player named Brittney Crawford.

Crawford was playing travel softball with the Big Macs’ high school players and was starting regularly. Since Moeller first witnessed Crawford on the field, she was excited to bring her to the high school’s varsity team.

Last spring, Crawford started all 23 games for Canon-McMillan, which reached the WPIAL Class AAAA title game. Playing everywhere from first base to left field, the freshman batted .387 with 29 hits, five home runs, 11 RBI and 34 runs.

The breakout performance paid off last week when she gave an oral commitment to St. Francis University’s Division I softball program in Loretto. Less than a month into her sophomore year at Canon-McMillan, Crawford’s future college is decided. She plans to major in a science-related field.

“It was a very big decision. It was a lot of pressure, but it was exciting pressure,” Crawford said. “You want to make that type of decision and you are just excited about the whole thing. I’m very glad to finally be committed.”

Crawford is the latest Big Macs player to commit to a Division I program. Olivia Lorusso is currently at Robert Morris, Giorgiana Zeremenko is at Pitt and senior Abby McCartney has committed to join Lorusso with the Colonials. Junior Linda Rush is receiving Division I interest.

All of those players have one thing in common: power at the plate.

“I think the signings are coming from the power they show,” Moeller said. “That’s how kids are getting those looks. The ability to hit for power, and if you can throw in speed, strength and agility, then that just makes the package even better.”

Crawford’s freshman year was not free of growing pains. With a proven roster, Moeller moved the newcomer around to several positions. With a hole at first base, Crawford gave the position a shot, but never found it comfortable. A natural middle infielder and outfielder, Crawford finally found her home in left field.

She also plays multiple positions for the Pennsylvania Outlaws travel team during the summer. Crawford’s versatility and success on offense ultimately led St. Francis head coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift to offer her a spot with the Red Flash, who compete in the Northeast Conference.

Moeller called Crawford “a sweetheart” and raves about the sophomore’s work ethic. That has included a summer spent playing more softball where she followed her strong freshman season by improving her approach at the plate.

“It was great. I loved it. It was a lot of fun,” Crawford said of her freshman year. “I thought it was a great first season. I’m hoping that this season is even better. We have a really good team. I think we’re going to do well again this year.”

The First Tee of Pittsburgh is sending Rices Landing native Gillian Alexander to compete in the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, an official Champions Tour event that will be held Friday through Sunday and televised on the Golf Channel.

Alexander, who played at Jefferson-Morgan last year before moving to Florida, won the WPIAL Class AA Girls Golf Championship in 2012 and finished fifth as a junior last year. She was selected by a national panel of judges who evaluated playing ability, comprehension of life skills and character education learned through involvement with the First Tee.

“Going to Pebble is going to give me another opportunity to exemplify the great things The First has done for me and playing with the Champions Tour professionals will be a dream come true,” Alexander said in a press release.

Alexander, 17, will join 80 other golfers from the First Tee chapters for the event. Champions Tour Players committed to play include two-time Nature Valley First Tee Open winner and defending champion Kirk Triplett, Charles Schwab Cub contenders Jay Haas and Kenny Perry and a number of World Golf Hall of Fame members.

Junior players will be paired with 81 Champions tour players and 162 amateurs as they compete for the pro-junior title at Pebble Beach and Poppy Hills Golf Course.

The First Tee of Pittsburgh is a nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of youngsters through golf.

Carmichaels made history Thursday when its boys golf team defeated California, 201-218, to clinch at least a share of the WPIAL Section 8-AA title. The Mikes have not won a section championship in 20 years and they now hold 12-1 overall record.

It continued when two of Carmichaels’ golfers qualified for the WPIAL Class AA Individual Championships. Sophomore Liam Shea won the individual section championship when he shot a 79 at Cedarbook Gold Golf Course.

Senior Jordan Bogucki also qualified by shooting an 85 at the par-72 course. The two tee-off in the Class AA finals Wednesday morning at Youghiogheny Country Club in McKeesport.

Peters Township’s boys golf team is living up to its reputation as one of the top programs in the WPIAL. With a victory Friday over Chartiers Valley, the Indians improved to 14-0 overall and 9-0 in Section 7-AAA.

Six PT golfers qualified for the WPIAL Class AAA Individual Championships. Junior Alec Stopperich led the group by finishing second at the section qualifiers. Joining him will be junior Connor Schmidt, senior Ben Morgret, sophomore Tanner Johnson, junior Jake Sollon and junior Hunter Bruce.