Seton-La Salle softball team breezes to section title

The Seton-La Salle softball team entered the WPIAL Class AA playoffs with seven players hitting .300 or better.

Little wonder that, with such a powerful offensive attack supporting dynamic pitcher Lauren Zola, the Seton girls were able to breeze through the regular season and win their fifth straight section crown.

The Lady Rebels finished 12-0 in Section 4-AA, ahead of South Park, South Allegheny and Steel Valley, all with 7-5 marks; Brentwood and East Allegheny, both 4-8; and Shady Side Academy at 1-11.

Seton-La Salle was led offensively in the regular season by senior center fielder Dani Dadig.

Dadig, a Youngstown State recruit, ended with a robust .568 batting average and did not strike out during the regular season.

“Every season since freshmen year I have always tried to make an impact on the field with my offense and defense,” she said. “This year, as in previous years, my hitting and base stealing was the most impactful. I hit with power from the leadoff spot.

“This is one reason why I believe this was my best regular-season performance of my varsity career. Driving the ball and getting on base every at-bat enabled me to score runs and help the team win.”

Dadig was complemented at the plate by a pair of .400 hitters in Lexi Wagner and Tomasina Arrigo.

“Dadig and Zola have been outstanding,” Jay Krull, Seton-La Salle's head coach, said. “Definitely the type of season you'd expect out of four-year starters.

“This group of seniors understands what it means to be leaders on and off the field.”

Wagner, a freshman right fielder who already has made a verbal commitment to Pitt, hit at a .475 clip this year and led the club with 23 RBIs.

Arrigo, a senior designated hitter, was right behind with a .450 batting average.

Other leading hitters for the Lady Rebels included freshman first baseman Jada Simon (.386), senior shortstop Kaylee Boehme (.351), Zola (.317) and sophomore second baseman Julie Curry (.300).

“It's been a great season so far,” Zola said. “The strength of the team is our ability to stay focused throughout the whole game. Playing in the field can get boring at times, but we all stay on our feet and keep our bats strong.”

Alyssa Miller, a junior catcher, and Annie Borofski, a junior third baseman, also chipped in with .291 and .285 averages.

Juniors Kelsie Klein and Katie Smith split time in left field this season.

Zola, an IUP recruit, has been masterful on the mound, compiling a 13-0 regular-season record and 0.20 earned run average.

“I think my personal performance has been the best I have ever had,” she said. “I know I continue to grow every year, and this year I can definitely see the improvement.”

Zola fanned 187 batters during the regular season, including a one-hit, 20-strikeout effort last week at Brentwood, to boost her four-year career total to 682.

Seton-La Salle was slated to meet Avonworth (8-5) earlier this week in a WPIAL first-round matchup at Baldwin.

The Lady Rebels have won or shared a section championship for five consecutive years, winning 58 or 60 section games.

“We expected to compete for a section title,” Dadig said. “Our goal every year is to win the section and compete for a WPIAL title as well as a state title. We have a great mix of seniors and underclassmen and a great team chemistry.”

Seton-La Salle advanced to the WPIAL semifinal round last season, finished third in the tournament and qualified for the state playoffs for the first time in 30 years.

The expectations are, and have been, huge for this year's club, which had seven returning starters from 2014.

“I expect a lot from the team because I know this is the best overall team we have had in the past few years,” Zola said. “I believe we can win it all if we keep playing the game I know we are capable of.

“If we make the clutch plays when we need them and get some timely hits, we'll be in good shape.”

Dadig echoed her teammate's comments.

“Our expectations in the playoffs are to win the WPIAL and state titles,” Dadig said. “As a senior, this has been one of my goals since freshmen year, and I believe we have the team to accomplish these goals.”

Ray Fisher is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at 412-388-5820 or rfisher@tribweb.com.