Package deal for Gannon
CHERRY TWP — Kennedy and Kristina DeMatteis made it clear that when it came to college softball programs interested in them, they were a package deal.
That suited Gannon University coach Tom Jakubowski just fine.
Both DeMatteis sisters, a star pitcher and catcher, respectively, at Moniteau High School, verbally committed to the Division II school in Erie last August. They made it official by signing letters of intent on Monday.
“Checking out the twins was recommended by a coach I know who played against them,” Jakubowski replied in an emailed interview. “I saw them play in the PIAA playoffs. We always liked both girls after we saw them play. The question was, did they want to play on the same college team or not.”
“We both wanted to go to the same school no matter what,” Kennedy said. “We had a tryout (at Gannon) in August and made a verbal commitment about a week later.”
Kennedy has dominated in the circle for the last three seasons, compiling a record of 58-5 while striking out 1½ batters per frame in 362 total innings. Last year, she went 24-2 for a Warriors team that reached the PIAA Class AA championship game.
“Kennedy appealed to us because she has decent velocity, good movement on her breaking pitches and she is a winner,” wrote Jakubowski. “We feel she has only scratched the surface of her ability, that is what really excites us.”
Kennedy has been told that she will also get to bat in Gannon's order, which is good for her and the Golden Knights. She batted .591 with 20 extra-base hits last spring.
“I actually like hitting more than pitching,” she said, “but I know I have to take my pitching to the next level. I need to become more consistent.”
Kristina batted .536 with 28 runs scored and 27 batted in at Moniteau last season, but her contributions to the team went far beyond her offensive numbers.
“She catches for me in every single practice and game,” Kennedy said. “That helps because we talk about what pitches are going to work in a game.”
But Jakubowski may need Kristina DeMatteis at another position.“Kristina is a terrific athlete, we recruited her to play multiple positions,” wrote Jakubowski. “She looked terrific as a shortstop during our workout and she runs well.”The thought of coming out from behind the plate appeals to Kristina.“I play shortstop for my traveling team (PA Outlaws Elite),” she said. “I like catching for Kennedy, but if she's not pitching, I enjoy playing shortstop more.”Gannon dipped below .500 last season (20-21) after going a combined 53-37 in 2014 and 2015.“Coming from such a successful high school program, I'm hoping we can do really well as a team in college,” Kristina said.Jakubowski replied that both players will have the chance to earn playing time in their first season.“At Gannon, we tell our position players to hit their way into our starting lineup. It does not matter if they are freshmen or seniors,” he wrote. “That is why it is important that someone like Kristina is able to play multiple positions. It gives her a better chance to get more playing time early.“Our pitchers will get chances to demonstrate what they can do right away during our fall season, including freshmen.”But before they take their talents to the collegiate level, the DeMatteis twins are excited to see what next spring has to offer in their final high school season. The Warriors will return seven starters from their state runner-up team.“The best teams we played last year — Holy Redeemer (in the state final), South Park, Ellwood City and Everett — have all moved to a different class,” Kennedy said. “I think we can be even better than we were last year.”
