Mar 27, 2019 2 min read

For the first time since 2014, the Belle Vernon softball team enters a season without Bailey Parshall in the pitcher’s circle.

The southpaw led BVA to three WPIAL championships and is among the NCAA leaders in strikeouts as a freshman starter for Penn State.

The fact that the team is in a unique situation is not lost on 17th-year head coach Tom Rodriguez.

“With Bailey, we only had to score one or two runs to win,” he said. “This year, we may have to score five or six runs.”

Rodriguez, who has led Belle Vernon to four WPIAL crowns, knows a philosophy change is coming.

“A year ago, we only hit .266 and the defense didn’t have to handle too many balls,” he said. “This year, we will have to hit better and play better defense.”

The Leopards return six starters, so the cupboard isn’t completely bare.

Senior Mekenzie Sokol returns at first base, senior Jordan French will again handle the duties in center field, junior Natalie French is back at second base, senior Ally Pacak is behind the plate and a pair of sophomore pitchers in Vanessa Porter and Sophie Godzak, who started elsewhere a year ago and will both see time at other positions this year, are back.

“If Sophie pitches, Vanessa will be on third,” Rodriguez said. “If Vanessa pitches, Sophia will be at first.”

Rodriguez said they are doing as expected so far.

“Our pitching has been all right,” he said. “It isn’t (Parshall), but we knew that coming in and they are hanging in there while the defense has been pretty good as well.”

Freshman Ashley Joll will play shortstop, senior Lindsay Steeber will be in left field and Abby Fabin will be in right field as the flex. Senior Jayden Scapelto fills the role of designated player.

As far as the favorites, Rodriguez did not hesitate on who he feels will lead the pack.

“I feel Elizabeth Forward and Thomas Jefferson are the teams to beat in the section,” Rodriguez said. “EF returns its pitcher and seven starters while TJ returns a lot of starters from last year’s team that made the WPIAL 5A championship game and the PIAA semis.

“West Mifflin is probably third and I think we will battle McKeesport and Ringgold for fourth.”