Daily News spotlight athletes: Elizabeth Forward's Ryan Wardropper, Serra Catholic's Witney Larko

Ryan Wardropper

School: Elizabeth Forward

Year: Senior

Sport: Baseball

Claim to fame: Wardropper pitched Elizabeth Forward (6-5, 3-3) to a 5-3 victory over Section 3-AAA foe Carrick last week. The senior pitched a complete game and struck out seven for the third-ranked Warriors.

“Ryan was part of the 2011 team we had that won the WPIAL and made it to the state championship,” coach Frank Champ said. “He's been a three-year starter and has hit third or cleanup every year and serves as our captain. He's a great kid that has done a great job for us.”

What kind of pitches do you throw?

I throw a fastball, a curveball, a slider and a changeup. I think fastball and curve are most effective. I like to work in my slider as well.

How do you prepare for a start?

I like to listen to music to get in my own zone and focus on the task ahead. I really just make sure I'm ready to go.

Does the pitching half of the game have an effect on the hitting side?

I try not to let my pitching affect my hitting or vice versa. I try to get my job done in both aspects. I just try to go up to the plate with the right approach to help the team.

Do you have a favorite player?

My favorite player would have to be (the Angels') Mike Trout. I like him as a hitter, and he's a great team player.

Would you rather have to strike someone out or get a big hit to win a game?

I think I would rather get a big clutch hit in a tough situation. It's just more exciting to be able to put runs on the board than to strike someone out. I'm more of a hitter.

Witney Larko

School: Serra Catholic

Year: Senior

Sport: Softball

Claim to fame: Larko picked up her fourth victory of the year and moved to 4-1 as the Eagles (5-3, 4-3) trounced Section 2-A opponent Mapletown, 17-1, last week. The senior, who transferred from Penn Hills, also is batting .500 with a double, a triple, a home run and 12 RBIs.

“Witney came over from Penn Hills and stepped in as our starting pitcher and has handled it very well,” coach Mike Elko said. “She has a strong arm and has been incredible for us at bat as well. She has stepped in and replaced our starting pitcher and our best hitter.”

Did you feel any pressure when you first arrived?

No, most of the girls I already knew because I played on Serra's fall ball team. I wasn't allowed to play last season when I first transferred because I had to go through a whole court case, but I didn't transfer to the school just for softball.

Did you think you were going to have this much success right away?

I've been playing for a really long time. Everything was a new adjustment, but softball is softball. It doesn't matter where you play or who you play the game with, you need to learn how to work well as a team, and you need to get used to everyone on the team and see how they react to things. You need to learn their attitudes so you know how they'll react to things. I just had to get used to everyone so I could be a team player.

What needs to happen this year for you to consider this season a success?

We just need to make fewer errors and keep working toward our goals. Also, we need to keep in a rhythm. When we play once every week or so because of the weather, it kind of throws us off of our rhythm.

What kind of music do you enjoy?

I usually listen to Eminem before games just to get pumped up.

What are your plans for college?

I'm going to go to Pitt-Greensburg for early childhood education and hopefully get a job after four years. Then, I'd like to get a degree in special education.

— Robert Stinner