The Pittston Area softball team will have a different look for the 2017 season.
The bulk of the lineup is made up of sophomores and freshmen, the most established players could take on new roles and the game’s most important position could be handled in an entirely different way.
Pittston Area’s 19-player roster includes 13 sophomores and freshmen.
“We’re talented, but we’re very young,” coach Vito Quaglia said. “We’ll have to see if those younger players can establish themselves early enough to make us contenders.”
After three years at shortstop, Taryn Ashby could be in center field for her senior season.
“Our outfield is gone,” Quaglia said of graduation losses from a team that came on strong to finish tied for second in Division 1 of the Wyoming Valley Conference, then advance to the District 2 Class 3A final by beating two higher-seeded teams.
If that move happens, Lexi Felinski could go from second base to shortstop after a brilliant freshman season in which she batted .519 and scored 25 runs.
The presence of Felinski and Ashby at the top of the order gives hope for the offense.
Replacing Taylor Baloga, the team’s main pitcher for three seasons who had a perfect game and another no-hitter during the late-season surge, could be challenging.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be a situation where we’re going to have someone try to take over as the ace or if we’re going to use several pitchers in different situations,” said Quaglia, who has multiple options in the circle. “They all have different styles, so depending on the opponents that we face, we might want different match-ups, so we’re looking at that also.”
Junior Nina Cencetti did a little pitching last year. Sophomore Alexa McHugh started in left field last season, but could be moved to pitcher. Senior Dominique Quaglia, the coach’s daughter, and freshman Kylie Herbert are also candidates.
Two other freshmen who also can pitch are Kaehler Kivler and Madisyn Antal.
Sophomore Bailey Loyack returns at catcher where Antal and Halle Gronka are also available.
Cencetti started at first base last season. If Cencetti or McHugh is pitching, the other is likely to be at first base.
The middle infield is experienced, but in flux.
Felinski can play second base or shortstop. If Ashby goes to the outfield, Quaglia, another fourth-year varsity player, could end up at second base.
Antal, Kerry Shamnoski and Herbert are working at third base.
“It’s frustrating because we haven’t been able to get out,” Quaglia said. “You can only get so many reps in the gym. You’re not taking groundballs and getting the hops you’ll get outside.
“The outfield can’t really get any reps in the gym. We’re lucky because there’s talent there. We’re just trying to find the right parts in the right places.”
Freshman Gabby Para and sophomore Shayla Williams, who saw some playing time last year, could be in the outfield.
“Gabby Para, for as much as we’ve been doing, she’s looked like she has tremendous speed and has a very strong arm,” Quaglia said.
Morgan Masaris could fit into the outfield or a corner infield position.
With all the options, Quaglia said he expects to take advantage of the flex rule to get more players into the lineup.
The season is scheduled to open Monday at Wyoming Valley West, weather and field conditions permitting.
