Pittston Area softball was represented at the second annual Bill Howerton Baseball and Softball Media Day by, from left: Julia Mehal, coach Frank Parente, Gianna Adams and Abbylynn Colleran.
MOOSIC – Pittston Area returns two-time Pennsylvania Class 5A Pitcher of the Year Gianna Adams, but she will be surrounded by newcomers in at least half the other positions as the Lady Patriots try to maintain the lofty status created by their unbeaten 2022 state championship season.
Adams’ highly decorated career includes 519 strikeouts, a two-hit shutout in a state championship game and the two major honors from the Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association.
“We’re pretty inexperienced all around Gina this year,” Lady Patriots coach Frank Parente said. “I’m definitely excited to see what we can do.”
Along with going 15-2 with a 205-31, strikeout-to-walk ratio and 0.74 earned run average in 104 innings last season, Adams provided offense with five homers, 23 RBI and a .407 average. A year earlier, she was 21-0 with 214 strikeouts, 33 walks and an 0.88 ERA in 128 innings during the state championship run.
“We lost a lot of players in the past two years; a lot of great leaders, a lot of great people on the field and off the field,” Adams said. “But, our underclassmen are really stepping up this year. I feel like they’re going to come out with confidence and I truly do feel that we have a great support system feeding from the upperclassmen.”
Outfielders Marina Antal and Lily Hintze return along with first baseman Gabby Gorzkowski and shortstop Sam Herbert. Gorzkowski batted .375.
“We have some competition,” Parente said. “We have some freshmen making noise; we have sophomores ready and we have some seniors that have always been in a tough spot behind some of the girls that were four-year starter. This is their time now to crack the lineup and I’m really looking forward for them to do some damage for us.”
The senior class features Adams, Julia Mehal, Abbylynn Colleran and Tori Stephenson.
Stephenson will have a shot at third base while Mehal and Colleran’s bats could help get them in the lineup.
“All four of my seniors have pop,” Parente said. “All can hit for some power. As far as who cracks the lineup, it’s too early to tell.”
In part-time duty as a designated hitter last season, Mehal batted .417, going 7-for-17 with three doubles and seven RBI. She also handled the only five innings that Adams did not pitch, picking up a win and striking out four while allowing just two runs.
“I’ve been working all through the offseason to prepare,” said Mehal, who could be back at DH, but could also take a shot at playing second base. “I feel like we have a lot of talented girls on the team.”
Colleran made the most of her limited chances last season, going 2-for-3 with three RBI.
“I’m looking this year to make more of an impact on the lineup,” said Colleran, who might be able to play in the outfield or at first base.
The Lady Patriots tied for first place in Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 last season, but lost a playoff for the title to Tunkhannock.
