Sister act
HAMPTON — The postseason lasted two games.
The memory will last a lifetime.
Freeport softball sisters Kristie and Tori Radvan saw their lone season as varsity teammates come to an end with last week's second-round WPIAL Class 3A playoff loss to South Park.
“It was fun,” senior pitcher Kristie said. “I wish it could have been longer.
“We only had one year of playing together. In a way, that was good. It made it more special to both of us.”
Tori, the Yellowjackets' freshman third baseman, said she hadn't been teammates with her sister in five years. Even then, she had to play with an age group of girls three or four years older than herself.
“I tagged along to watch my sister,” Tori said, laughing. “I was a little kid. Every now and then, they'd let me play.”
She was welcomed to play as a freshman for Freeport's varsity — as long as she learned a new position. The open spot in the starting lineup was third base, the lone infield position the younger Radvan had never played.
“That's how it worked out.” Freeport coach Sam Ross said. “Tori picked up on the position pretty quick. She really filled a void for us.
“She's a lot like her sister that way. When Kristie was a freshman, she played third. Then she was catcher as a sophomore before becoming our pitcher. Where we needed her, she played.”
So little sister emulated big sister — and she's doing so in more ways than one.
While Kristie Radvan is suiting up for Pitt-Johnstown next season, Tori will likely take her place on the mound for Freeport. Kristie hit .458, going 22 for 48 her freshman year with the Yellowjackets. Tori hit .551, going 27 for 49 this season.
“I wasn't surprised at all she stepped in for us at third base and gave us the kind of season she did,” Kristie said. “She would have adapted to any position.
“She just wanted to play.”
Hitting fourth and fifth in the Freeport lineup this year, the Radvan sisters combined to hit .579 — 55 for 94 — with 10 home runs, 36 RBI and 37 runs scored.
As a four-year starter in high school, Kristie Radvan hit .498 — 100 for 203 — with 14 homers, 70 RBI and 79 runs scored. She hit .622 this season.
“I'm glad we've got one coming back, but we're sure going to miss her,” Ross said of his senior pitcher.Kristie Radvan played baseball at the T-ball and coach-pitch levels before noticing a bunch of girls playing softball on an adjoining field at the Freeport complex.“All of the fields there are right next to each other,” she said. “I knew I was never going to play high school baseball, so I switched over.“My dad (John Radvan) was always my pitching coach. He got me started at the position, taking me down to La Roche College for camp every Sunday when I was younger.”Tori followed in her sister's footsteps — again, little sister emulating big sister.“I used to go to all of her games. I wanted to be like her,” Tori said. “I played three years of travel ball with the Pittsburgh Passion. That helped me get ready for high school ball.”Tori will be playing for the Pittsburgh Power this summer.Most of Freeport's team is coming back, including sophomore slugger Ally DeJidas (.625) and Madison Wagner (.444), and a strong junior class this season that included Jenna Hildebrand (.333), Ashleigh Schmidt (.391), Jenna Manke (.404) and Claire Crytzer (.362).Freeport carried a .420 team batting average this season, hitting 29 homers in 16 games.“We may be in rebuilding mode after next year,” Tori cautioned. “All of these juniors will be seniors. Now's the time to make it happen.”Kristie will be rooting for them,“Great things are in store for this team. I know it,” she said.
