Capsule Previews

March 30, 2017 Last Updated: March 30, 2017 12:04 PM High School

Following is a look at how Butler County-area softball teams did last spring, along with some top returning players. If available, the statistics included are from the 2016 season.

Butler

Head Coach: Tina O'Donnell

Last year: 3-14

Batting: senior Hannah Hays (CF); junior Alex Graham (P); sophomores Julia Gibson (C) and Faith Hansotte (2B).

Seneca Valley

Head Coach: George Trew

Last year: 9-11

Batting: seniors Elayna Nagy (CF, .450 with 21 runs and 17 RBI) and Maddie Schultz (3B, .333 with 15 RBI); junior Morgan Aloi (SS, .382 with 15 runs and 11 RBI)

Pitching: sophomore Claire Zimmerman (3-7, 3.00 ERA)

Mars

Head Coach: Michele Goodworth

Last year: 9-8 (lost in WPIAL first round)

Batting: senior Marina Manuppelli (C, .327 with 10 RBI); juniors Izzy Berkopec (SS, .393 with 10 RBI), Jordyn Douglas (2B, .326), Lindy Lee (P, .333) and Maggie Olshenske (OF, .283 with 8 doubles).

Knoch

Head Coach: Tim Knappenberger

Last year: 16-4 (reached WPIAL quarterfinals)

Batting: seniors Avery Keller (C, .375) and Sydney Natili (2B, .349); junior Celia Knappenberger (P, .414); sophomores Erin Luffy (1B, .405) and Monica Gourley (SS, .338).

Pitching: junior Celia Knappenberger (8-1, 1.20 ERA, 42 strikeouts)

Freeport

Head Coach: Sam Ross

Last year: 13-5 (reached WPIAL quarterfinals)

Batting: senior Kristie Radvan (P, .482 with 5 HR, 19 runs and 19 RBI); juniors Claire Crytzer (SS, .479 with 4 HR, 21 runs and 13 RBI), Becca Fennell (C/1B, .422) and Ashleigh Schmidt (2B/P, .393 with 4 HR, 26 runs and 11 RBI); sophomore Ally DeJidas (CF/1B, .612 with 4 HR, 20 runs and 21 RBI).

Pitching: senior Kristie Radvan (11-4, 3.65 ERA, 81 strikeouts).

Moniteau

Head Coach: Lennie Claypoole

Last year: 24-2 (won District 9 title and reached state final)

Batting: seniors Cortney Claypoole (SS, .595 with 6 HR, 48 runs and 52 RBI), Kristina DeMatteis (C, .536 with 28 runs and 27 RBI), Gabby Stewart (CF, .645 with 45 runs and 17 RBI), Kennedy DeMatteis (P, .591 with 34 runs and 49 RBI) and Sara Hull (1B, .486 with 22 runs and 33 RBI); junior Megan Hepler (3B, .342 with 23 RBI).

Pitching: senior Kennedy DeMatteis (23-2, 1.12 ERA, 236 strikeouts)

Karns City

Head Coach: Mike Stitt

Last year: 9-7 (lost in District 9 quarterfinals)

Batting: senior Makala Bailey (LF); junior Sami Grazioli (RF); sophomores Alyssa Stitt (SS) and Emily Wolfe (CF)

Pitching: sophomore Mackenzie Shay

A-C Valley

Head Coach: Bob Bowser

Last year: 11-8 (reached District 9 semifinals)

Batting: junior Sydney Rankin (CF); sophomores Cami McNany (C, .415), Kylie Eaton (1B, .340) and Kelsie Terwilliger (OF).

Pitching: sophomore Sydney Schmidt (2-0).

Slippery Rock