Penn-Trafford had a successful spring with the baseball, softball and boys volleyball teams.
The baseball team finished with a 10-9 overall record and 4-6 in the section with a WPIAL playoff run cut short in the quarterfinals.
The softball team finished with a 14-5 record and 12-2 in the section, finishing first in Class 5A Section 1 but also fell in the WPIAL quarterfinals.
And the volleyball team finished the regular season 18-3 overall and 14-0 in the section, finishing second in the WPIAL Class AAA championship.
Class 6A all-section players in seniors, second baseman Rob Buck and pitcher Brian Hellested, as well as junior catcher Josh Spiegel led the Warriors baseball team.
Coach Dan Miller also received the Class 6A Section 2 Coach of the Year.
“These guys had a team-first attitude. Buck was first at practice and last to leave. Him and Hellested were just leaders on and off the field. And we will look for Spiegel to be the same way next year,” Miller said. “These guys showed the underclassmen how to lead, and I am positive it will rub off on the future players to come.”
The softball team was filled with five Class 5A all-section players.
Senior third baseman Bree Ginther will be headed to Pitt-Johnstown next year.
Senior first baseman and designated hitter Hannah Dobrinick will be attending Otterbein in Ohio.
Senior center fielder Sarah Koscho will be playing at Mercyhurst.
Senior catcher Lydia DeFazio will be going to Mount Aloysius.
And junior right fielder Emma Nedley will be returning as a senior leader for the Warriors next season.
“They all just love the game. They are all leaders on and off the field, working on their game even on their days off,” coach Denny Little said. “They took the underclassmen under their wing and showed them how to lead. They got them ready for next season.”
The boys volleyball team had four players voted to the Class AAA all-section team with seniors Brandon McGowan, who will be attending Penn State Altoona next year to continue playing, Joe Salesi and Zach Werksman.
Also named to the team was junior Nick Tarabrella.
“These guys were just very talented. We relied on them for most of the season and the rest of the team played their part,” coach Jim Schall said. “They set the tone and led the guys. They had a high standard for the underclassmen because they know what they are capable of. And set a good example for the guys who will have to lead the team next year.”
Another notable athlete for Penn-Trafford this year is senior Nick Wagner, who was named to second-team all-state in the 800-meter. Wagner will be going to Penn State to run track next year.
Cody Scott is a freelance writer.
