Role Reversal
ADAMS TWP — Izzy Berkopec endured one of the toughest seasons of her young life last year.
As a junior on the Mars softball team, the losses mounted and so did the despair.
But Berkopec and the rest of her teammates used that experience — the Planets were 2-15 and lost by the 10- or 15-run mercy rule eight times — as fodder for 2018.
A clean slate. A new start.
“Last year was tough, no doubt about that. This year — definitely a lot different than last year,” said Berkopec, a senior shortstop. “We're kind of out for some revenge. No one thought of us as a threat this year in the slightest.”
But that's just what the Planets have become: a serious, potent threat.
Oakland Catholic found that out the hard way on a windy Friday afternoon at Mars' spiffy new turf Centential Field.
The Planets banged out 12 hits — five for extra bases — and routed the Eagles 14-0 in five innings.
It was the fourth straight win in which Mars scored in double digits and the fifth time it tallied 10 or more runs this season.
The Planets (10-6, 8-3) are now a half-game ahead of Moon for second place in Section 3-5A.
“We were — what? — 2-15 last year,” Berkopec said. “Everyone thought this year we'd be an automatic win when they played us. We kind of fed on that this year. We love being the dark horse.”
Mars may not be a dark horse any longer.
The lineup is stacked with Berkopec in the three spot. All she did against Oakland Catholic Friday was go 3-for-4 with two doubles, a triple and two RBI.
That lineup is averaging nearly seven runs per game.
“It's exciting to know there's really not any holes in our lineup,” said senior pitcher Lindy Lee, who had her own big day at the plate with a pair of singles and a double. “Everyone is pretty much hitting. It's nice to have everyone hitting.”
It's especially nice for Lee as a pitcher.
She knows she doesn't have to be perfect.
“It definitely takes a big weight off my shoulders,” Lee said.
“We could honestly reverse the order and we'd still all hit,” Berkopec added. “One-through-nine, there's not a weak spot in our lineup.”
Mars got an influx of youth this season with four impact freshmen.
Julia Maple, Alaina Taylor, Kali Harris and Emilee Waldrop have come in and buoyed the returning players.
“They all do an awesome job. You couldn't tell the difference between a senior and a freshman,” Berkopec said. “They really look up to us and I think all us seniors have done a great job guiding them.”
Harris and Waldrop have made the biggest impact in the circle, taking the load off Lee and providing more than just serviceable innings.
They've been dominant at times.
“They don't even realize how good they are,” Berkopec said of the freshmen. “Ignorance is bliss. That's the key. Kali and Emilee, these 14-year-olds, when they get in the circle and strike out eight, they don't realize how big that is.”Mars coach Michele Goodworth does realize how big that is, however.“Last year, Lindy had to pitch every game,” Goodworth said. “Now she's throwing the first couple of innings and then we bring the freshmen in to pitch a couple of innings as well. I think they've built some confidence, especially on the defensive side, because we have some pitching.”Goodworth said that then translates to the batter's box.“I always say to the girls that hitting is contagious,” Goodworth said.And Mars has a full-blown epidemic at the plate right now.The Planets are batting .371 as a team with Berkopec hitting a gaudy .463 with 12 doubles.Mars hopes that bodes well for the WPIAL playoffs, which begin in a little more than a week.“I think we can do some damage,” Berkopec said. “Last year was a tough season to come back from, but here we are.”Oakland Cath. 000 00x x — 0 5 3Mars 360 5xx x — 14 12 1W: Lindy Lee 5IP (2K, 0BB). L: Delaney McHugh 4IP (0K, 1BB).Oakland Catholic (0-10, 0-9): Lauren Clutter 2-1B, McHugh 1B, Autumn McCorkle 2-1BMars (10-6, 8-3): Jordy Douglas 2-1B 3B, Kali Harris 1B RBI, Izzy Berkopec 2-2B 3B 2-RBI, Lee 2-1B 2B RBI, Alaina Taylor RBI, Abby Gehr 1B RBI, Sara Augustine 1BTuesday: Mars at Hampton
