Graduated Franklin Regional softball standout cherishes past, present and future

Recent Franklin Regional graduate Angela Buccilli said she was surprised and grateful when she learned of her inclusion on the Terrific 10 softball list for the Greensburg Tribune Review.

“It is really exciting and a great honor,” she said. “I've seen the list before, and it's special to think I am a part of it this year.”

Buccilli said that while she worked hard to be the best she could be on the field, the honor wouldn't have been possible without the support of her teammates.

She also has that mindset of hard work and determination as she continues to make the transition to the next level of softball at Division I Coastal Carolina.

“This year was special, and we all worked hard together to achieve our team goals. We worked on our own time, but we also worked collectively to get the job done,” Buccilli said.

Franklin Regional went 8-4 in Section 2-AAAA, missing the playoffs by one game in a competitive race with Fox Chapel, Plum and Gateway.

Fox Chapel finished 10-2 and won the title, while Plum and Gateway tied for second at 9-3.

“A high point in the season was the win over Fox Chapel that, at the time, took away their undefeated season,” Buccilli said.

“Our hard work was rewarded in wins like that.”

The Panthers were in the playoff mix right to the final week of the season.

Franklin Regional was eliminated from playoff contention with a 10-9 loss to Plum, but the team regrouped, beat Brashear and Penn Hills by a combined 29-1, and then denied Gateway a share of the section title with a 2-1 win in the season finale.

“It definitely was an exciting season,” Buccilli said. “It was really fun to see how each game with Plum, Gateway, Fox Chapel and us would turn out. Sometimes it went our way, and sometimes it didn't. It was exciting to go out there, give it our all and see where it took us.

“It was an emotional season, especially for me and the other seniors. It was nice to come back and beat Gateway to leave a positive impression.”

Buccilli finished with a .523 batting average, and she knocked in 17 runs, scored 31 and stole 11 bases.

Defensively, she helped turn six double plays from her shortstop position.

For her career, she tallied 52 RBI, 69 runs scored and 35 stolen bases.

This summer, Buccilli is mixing preparation for her freshman season at Coastal Carolina with play on her Mt. Pleasant-based tournament travel team, YMCA Synergy.

The team features a number of players, like Buccilli, who are committed to joining college softball programs.

“It's good to stay fresh on the field and see live pitching,” Buccilli said.

“We have new players on the team, so we've been working through the season and coming together. We wish we could win more than we have, but we're able to stay sharp with the game experience. That's important.”

While playing games with Synergy, Buccilli has kept fit with a workout regimen from the Coastal Carolina coaches.

“It's different than what I've been used to, but I'm getting the hang of it,” she said.

“It's a preview of the type of workouts I will be doing in the future. I want to be as fit as I can when I get to college.”

Coastal Carolina finished the 2015 season 33-24 overall, its fourth straight 30-plus win season.

The Chanticleers made the semifinals of their conference tournament for the sixth consecutive time.

They suffered a 5-2 loss to Longwood in the semifinal round.

“I am really excited for what lies ahead at Coastal Carolina,” Buccilli said. “I am ready to take that next step and keep pushing myself. I am motivated and prepared.

“The program is strong, and I am excited to have that opportunity to help Coastal stay competitive and win the conference title.”

Angela follows in the footsteps of her brother, Alex, who is a former member of the Coastal Carolina baseball program.

“Angela is one of those hard-nosed players that isn't afraid to get dirty,” Coastal Carolina head coach Kelley Green said shortly after the recruiting process ended.

“She has been bleeding teal since the days of her brother suiting up for Coastal baseball, and she's eager to follow in his footsteps.”

Michael Love is a Trib Total Media staff writer. Reach him at 412-388-5825 or at mlove@tribweb.com.