Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Delaney Elling
School: Trinity
Year: Junior
Sport: Softball
Elling’s week: The Hillers’ first baseman helped lift Trinity into the PIAA Class AAA playoffs Tues., May 26 when she hit a two-run home run, scored three times and had three RBI in a 10-1 win over Southmoreland at California University’s Lilley Field.
The victory came in the WPIAL consolation game to earn the Hillers third place in Class AAA and the right to face Warren, the District 10 champion, in the first round of the state playoffs. After an RBI single in the third inning, Elling stepped to the plate in the fourth with a runner on against the Scotties.
Trinity head coach Shawn Gray called Elling over and told her to have a game plan. She hit the next pitch over the fence in centerfield.
“I looked at him and said. ‘I’m ready for this pitch,'” Elling said. “I believe it was the first pitch, and I obviously got a hold of it. I didn’t expect that.”
Hardwood: Elling, a first-team all-state selection last spring, had a .684 average, which led all area players, 11 doubles, 27 runs, 32 RBI and two home runs.
After spending the winter months playing basketball, Elling has continued to put up big numbers for Trinity (18-5). In five postseason games, Elling has three multi-hit games, three home runs and eight RBI. Her approach is a bit unique.
“When I go up to the plate, I say, ‘see the ball, hit the ball’ to myself,” Elling said. “Catchers probably get weirded out that I talk to myself, but it helps me and I think it clears my head a lot.”
Elling planned on playing basketball as a freshman at Trinity until an injury the summer before delayed her high school debut.
She returned as a junior and was a reserve forward for the Hillers last winter, helping Trinity to 17-9 overall record. It took time to adjust to the speed of varsity basketball, but Elling provided big minutes for the Hillers in their playoff run.
Elling scored 10 points in Trinity’s loss to McGuffey in the WPIAL Class AAA seventh-place game for a spot in the state playoffs.
“I missed the game. It made me stronger, it made me faster – even though I’m still the slowest on the team – but I think it helped out in all aspects,” Elling said. “It’s all about being in shape, but it’s very physical, which fuels me. I’m a very competitive person, so it was awesome.”
Quarterfinals: The Hillers are back in the PIAA quarterfinals for the first time since 2009 and get a shot at redemption against Belle Vernon (21-2). The two teams split their regular-season series during Section 1-A play.
It has been made possible by Trinity’s team chemistry. The Hillers have eight seniors and nine juniors, most of who have played together for years.
“I think I’ve had more fun this year than I had in the past couple years combined, but it’s a ride with these girls,” Elling said. “We have our ups and our downs, but we’re sticking together and hoping to pull it out during (the state playoffs).”
Compiled by Lance Lysowski