The past two seasons have been the best in Yough softball history — maybe even the best two years any team at the school has ever put together.
Nicole Sleith, the Cougars' hard-throwing, exceedingly precise pitcher, was right at the forefront of that golden era.
Completing a spectacular four years that included 979 career strikeouts and the program's first state playoff win last year, Sleith propelled Yough to the WPIAL Class AAA title this spring -- the first championship in any sport in school history.
"Honestly, winning WPIALs is everything," she said. "When the season started, my coach (Lucas Cannizzaro) said one of our goal is winning the WPIAL, he didn't even mention states."
Yough's season ended dramatically in the PIAA quarterfinals, with Valley topping the Cougars, 4-3, in the PIAA quarterfinals on a three-run walk-off homer given up by Sleith. But the Robert Morris recruit still had 16 strikeouts in her final high school game, adding to her 298 strikeouts on the year. Sleith (19-2) allowed just four runs in the regular season and finished the spring with a 0.56 earned-run average. She also had a team-high .507 batting average.
Does the Valley game still bug you?
"When I think of the game, I obviously blame myself, but I just think of the great season we had and winning the WPIAL. You've got to be able to get past that, and we've done something that no other Yough team ever did."
Though you're best known as a pitcher, how much did you focus on your hitting?
"Mostly during the winter in my basement, my dad would pitch me little one-inch balls and I'd hit them after my pitching lessons. I didn't really focus on it that much. It just kind of came to me."
With the pitching rubber moving back three feet to 43 feet this year, how did that affect you and other pitchers?
"I think it did (play a role). I know with my team, we didn't strike out nearly as much as the year before. Our offense was pretty good. I guess batters had more time to see the ball, take a swing. If you look at other pitcher's strikeout totals, a lot of them went down -- even mine did."
Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
"My dad (Mark), for sure. He started me pitching when I was 8, and he's always been there. He's taken me to every pitching lesson, every practice and every game."
What do you think is the best game you've ever pitched?
"Peters Township (in 2010). We won, 4-1, and I had 21 strikeouts against Peters, which was a really good team."
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
"I like to play ping pong. My friend has a table in her basement, and we always play."
What's the last movie you saw in the theater?
"Bad Teacher."
What will you your college major be?
"Nuclear medicine technology. You do that if you're going to be a radiologist."
Greensburg Tribune-Review Softball All-Stars
ALYSSA BATES — JR., C, HEMPFIELD
This Division I prospect was the catalyst for the Spartans team that finished the regular season undefeated. She hit .491, with two homers and 21 RBI. After playing shortstop her first two years in high school, this season she moved behind the plate -- her traveling team position.
Maddy Grimm — So., SS, Ligonier Valley
Quickly developing into one of the best hitters in District 6, the Rams middle infielder built on an outstanding freshman season by batting .577, with 11 homers, a whopping 44 RBI and a mind-boggling 1.254 slugging percentage and a .625 on-base percentage. She was also successful on the bases, converting 16 for 17 steal attempts. She struck out only five times in 81 plate appearances.
Christine Henderson — Sr., P, Ligonier Valley
Bound for Seton Hill this fall, she helped the Rams win the Heritage Conference title and make it to the District 6 semifinals before losing to eventual PIAA Class AA champion Philipsburg-Osceola. She ended the season with an 18-2 record, a 0.65 ERA and 188 strikeouts in 107 innings. She was also an offensive leader with a .518 average.
Alexa Larkin — Sr., P/1B, Latrobe
She didn't start or even finish every game for the Wildcats, but she was on the rubber when it counted. The Pitt recruit finished the season 14-2, with a 0.93 ERA, struck out 195 in just 105 innings and helped Latrobe win its third WPIAL Class AAAA title in five seasons. In the WPIAL title game, she struck out 15 in a masterful two-hitter, taking a no-hit bid into the seventh inning.
Carm Moffa — Jr., 2B, Latrobe
Anchoring the Wildcats' lineup as the team's cleanup hitter, she batted .449 with three homers and 22 RBI and only struck out nine times all season. Ten of her 31 hits this season went for extra base, and she had a .486 on-base percentage and a .696 slugging percentage. Also a strong fielder, with a .950 fielding percentage, she is receiving interest from Pitt.
Casey Moses — Sr., P, Burrell
The Seton Hall recruit pitched the Bucs to their first WPIAL Class AA title since 2000 and helped the team make it all the way to the state semifinals. She finished the year 15-2, with a 1.70 ERA. She struck out 156 and walked 42 in 114 innings. At the plate, she batted .333 with two homers and 16 RBI.
Caitlin Nealer — Sr., P, Valley
Threw a two-hitter in the state championship game to lead the Vikings to their first PIAA Class AAA title. The last of her 214 strikeouts this season was the final out of the Vikings' 3-1 championship victory over Manheim Central. An Allegheny recruit, she went 18-2, with a 0.66 ERA and only 18 walks. The right-hander also batted .424 with three homers, five doubles and 12 RBI.
Jayne Oberdorf — So., P, Greensburg Salem
This young star was the only pitcher to defeat WPIAL Class AAA champion Yough during the regular season and led the Golden Lions to a share of their first section title since 2007. She struck out 151 and walked 13 in 87 innings during the regular season, ending the year a 1.70 ERA. She also contributed offensively, as a .469 hitter.
Hope Pehrson — So., P, Hempfield
A strong presence on the mound, she finished the regular season 15-1 and helped the Spartans to their first outright Section 1 title since 2006. In the clinching game against Latrobe, she threw a one-hitter and struck out six. This year, she added a drop-curve to her repertoire, improving her versatility, and was one of three pitchers to lead her team to an undefeated 2011 regular season.
The Next 10
Maddie Antone, So., SS, Kiski Area
Alaynna Beers Sr. 3B Yough
Madi Mastro Sr.2B Hempfield
Anna Marie Gatti, Fr. P Greensburg Central Catholic
Nina Spagnolo Sr. SS Burrell
Whitney Thompson Jr. SS Mount Pleasant
Karlie Tomich Fr. 1B Yough
Emily Adisey Sr. C Greensburg Central Catholic
Kelsey Dillon Jr. INF Frazier
Taylor Meehan So. C Greensburg Salem
Angelina Masters Sr. SS Valley
