Freshmen from WPIAL programs provide spark for Cal U softball team

After not having a field for 1,409 days, the Cal U softball team returned to Lilley Field and swept Gannon in a doubleheader. The Golden Knights are the team many see as the favorite in the PSAC West.

The starting lineup for the Vulcans in the opener featured five freshmen, including all three starting outfielders. Fast forward to Sunday’s game against IUP, the Vulcans had six first-year players starting.

“There’s a lot of competition at practice, and those young kids have earned those spots,” Vulcans coach Rick Bertagnolli said. “Those freshmen have been pushed by each other and by some players that started last season. It’s only made them better. Those girls have worked hard and they earned it.”

Bertagnolli and his assistant Natalya Smarra decided to get the young players’ feet wet as soon as possible.

“With no preseason, in a short season, they’ve responded really well,” Bertagnolli said. “They’re responded really well, and we’re not going to make any drastic changes. Unless there’s a confidence slip or something, they’re going to continue working hard and will continue to play.”

Elizabeth Forward graduate Jordan Pinneri has started in left field and Southmoreland graduate Charity Henderson has been in right field. In center, it’s either been Alyssa Young (Mohawk) or Delaney Girvin from Albert Gallatin.

“Jordan has done really well. Girvin has had an opportunity and Alyssa Young, they’ve all battled each other,” Bertagnolli said.

Henderson sits third on the team with a .391 batting average and leads the team with three home runs. She has nine RBIs, second only to senior Paige Wilson (12).

Pinneri is tied for second on the team with seven runs scored. She’s fourth on the squad, hitting .364 with seven singles and a double.

Other freshmen in the starting lineup for the Vulcans include second baseman Salena Jaquay (Baldwin), designated player Shayna Postler (Bethel Park) and pitcher Kaitlyn Leary. Another freshman on the Vulcans’ roster is Ringgold’s Jillian Scherer.

One thing that has made this freshman group so special for the Vulcans (5-3, 5-3) is the leadership provided by seniors Paige Wilson, Brooke Wilson (West Allegheny) and shortstop Alexa Pastor (Hempfield).

“They’ve lost their junior or senior season,” Bertagnolli said. “Now they only have one left. We were able to fulfill our time on the field and while all those young kids missed out on a lot because of covid, we aren’t living what those older girls are. The growing, the trials and tribulations, they happen in a short little chapter of your college career. Four years, that’s what you get. Those girls have only played one or two years.”

In the fall, Bertagnolli said pitching depth was a strength with seven pitchers on the staff.

But now, the Vulcans are down to two.

“One left to pursue another major, one opted out, another has a shoulder tear and another ended up with covid,” Bertagnolli said. “One of the three left is really new, so we’re really down to the two. Both are freshmen, so we’re watching pitch counts, and we’re not going to push anything crazy. The weather has actually helped, and we’re not stacking up games and getting some days off between them.”

Not having a facility was a setback, then covid came along. It affected the entire process of building a team, the longtime coach said.

“Having the field just helps so much. You’re out there trying to recruit kids and get them to come play softball but you don’t have a field. Now, we can recruit again. That’s why we set our sights on the 2021 class. The 2022 class has been done for a year and a half,” Bertagnolli said. “It’s changed everything. The pitchers, especially, can see how their pitches are moving. They can get the feel of pushing off the mound and rubber and not off a gym floor.

“The kids love the facility. Now away we go.”

With the renovations at Lilley Field taking place, there’s only one player on the current roster that knew what it was like to play a home game there, Paige Wilson.

“The biggest thing the older girls have been preaching to the younger players is not to take this for granted. They lost a whole year. They really understand how precious this is,” Bertagnolli said. “I can’t thank them enough for sticking with the program through not having a field and going through everything they’ve gone through. They stayed the course, and it wasn’t easy.

“Now, they’re telling these young kids, ‘Let’s get after it. Let’s have some fun, but with the urgency of going out there to win and playing hard.’ They’ve really helped them with the mental side of the game and preparing them for this level. So far, it’s worked out great.”

The Vulcans are back in action at Lilley Field at 1 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday with doubleheaders against Clarion.

The Golden Eagles feature former local stars Alexandra Brentzel (Norwin) and Jessica Cartia (Elizabeth Forward).