Falk dominated on the mound for Riverside
It has been almost two weeks since Riverside lost a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to Bald Eagle Area in the PIAA Class AA softball semifinals.
Though some of the pain has ebbed, senior pitcher Kari Falk, the 2009 Pittsburgh Tribune-Review softball player of the year, still thinks about the lost opportunity.
"I think we had a really tough break in that game, and I think we played pretty well. But we could have played better and that probably haunts us all that we lost that game because I think we all expected to make it to that final game," Falk said. "Those are the games that go too fast when you don't want them to. Some of those games drag on when you're ahead, but when you're behind, they seem to go really fast."
Falk was on the winning side of many of those games throughout her career.
She pitched Riverside to the past two WPIAL Class AA championships and finished this season 18-2 with a 0.43 earned-run average and 12 shutouts. In 131 innings, she struck out 149 and ended up with one no-hitter, three one-hitters and two two-hitters.
It was difficult to figure out how to hit one of her pitches, it may have been more of a challenge for opposing pitchers to find a way to get her out. She batted .439 with four doubles, four triples, two home runs, 25 RBI, a .558 on-base percentage and .683 slugging percentage.
"When you're a pitcher, you have to practice besides coming to softball practice, and she practices every day and has a ball in her hand more than three-fourths of the year," Riverside coach Pam McCarty said. "Her dedication to this sport has made her what she is today."
Falk will take her 66-11 career record to Edinboro University next season, but Falk wasn't surprised at the lack of interest from some larger schools.
"Riverside is such a small school and I kept a lot more to local schools (in choosing a college) because I didn't want to leave my home and I'm only an hour-and-a-half away," Falk said. "I feel a lot better than having to travel a long ways."
Going to Edinboro may help heal the sting of her final game, considering she knows there is work to do to match her high school success at the collegiate level.
"There are already girls (at Edinboro) that have positions and I know I have to work really hard if I want to keep pitching," Falk said.
Meanwhile, the memory of being in the dugout at the end of the top of the seventh against Bald Eagle Area is going to linger.
"High school had some good memories," she said, "but I think that last game will always haunt me."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Softball All-Stars
Geena Badolato — Junior, Pitcher, Mt. Lebanon
Finished 15-2 with a 0.30 ERA. ... Allowed only five earned runs. ... Struck out 169 and limited opposing hitters to a .078 average. ... Actually gave up more walks (35) than hits (34).
Kiersten Conwell — Sophomore, Pitcher, Chartiers-Houston
Left-hander finished 14-8 and led the WPIAL with 229 strikeouts in the regular season and playoffs, including 15 in a postseason-clinching no-hitter against Frazier. ... Had 11 strikeouts in an opening-round playoff win over Riverview.
T'nia Falbo — Senior, Pitcher, Hempfield
Led Spartans to their first WPIAL championship since 1998. ... Struck out five of the first six batters in WPIAL Class AAAA title game against Shaler. ... Was 13-4 with a 1.53 ERA and struck out 125 in 110 innings.
Nina Melvin — Junior, Pitcher, Vincentian
All-state catcher last season for WPIAL and PIAA champions, she took over for sister Trish on the mound this year and led Royals to second WPIAL title. ... Finished 22-3 with 194 strikeouts in 145 innings.
Ashley Morran — Junior, Center fielder, Trinity
Fnished with .333 average, 23 RBI, three triples, six home runs, 20 runs and five stolen bases and was the driving force for Hillers' run to PIAA semifinals. ... In seven WPIAL and PIAA playoff games, hit .462.
Abby Nichter — Junior, Pitcher, Shaler
Finished with a 16-6 record, 126 strikeouts and 25 earned runs in 152 innings for a 1.15 ERA. ... Led Titans into the state championship game for the third time in five seasons.
Leah Prisuta — Senior, Shortstop, Riverside
Geneva recruit for softball and basketball was the leadoff hitter for Panthers and batted .356 with a double, a triple, and two home runs, including one against Greensburg Central Catholic in PIAA Class AA quarterfinals. ... Had .537 on-base percentage and .489 slugging percentage.
Chelsea Siar — Junior, Shortstop, Shaler
Finished with .380 average, seven doubles and two home runs. ... Led the team in walks (11) and scored 15 runs. ... Attracted the attention of several colleges, including Robert Morris.
Ally Vrcek — Junior, Pitcher, Franklin Regional
Starting pitcher on the only team to go through the regular season and WPIAL playoffs without a loss. ... Finished 17-1 with a 0.36 ERA. ... Pitched 116 innings but allowed only 37 hits and 11 runs, six earned.
