By JOSE NEGRON
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Four area softball standouts received first-team all-state honors from the Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association Tuesday.
The Frazier duo of catcher Jensyn Hartman and first baseman Rylee Evans were named first-team honorees in Class 2A, while South Allegheny shortstop Madison Pikula earned recognition in Class 3A. Elizabeth Forward pitcher Kailey Larcinese was a selection in Class 4A.
Hartman, who was named all-state in volleyball in December, captured all-state honors in softball for the first time in her career. The recognition comes two years after her older sister, Logan, was named all-state as a pitcher in 2019.
Jensyn Hartman made her presence felt in her first high school season after having her freshman campaign wiped away by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Serving as Frazier’s reliable leadoff hitter, Hartman hit .441 with three home runs, 19 RBIs and a team-high 30 runs scored. She also led the team with eight doubles and tied for the lead with 10 walks.
“As her coach in both sports and as her father, I really could not be more proud of what she has accomplished,” Frazier head coach Don Hartman said. “She lost her freshman year and I think there was a really deep rooted motivation for her to not be able to play with her sister for a whole season. That was truly her goal growing up, she just couldn’t wait to play that one year with Logan. When she lost that year, she was bitter and I really think she came into this season with a chip on her shoulder.”
Evans, who was named Mon Valley Independent-BeeGraphix Dirty Dozen Co-Player of the Year Wednesday, was a force in the middle of Frazier’s potent lineup.
The St. Francis recruit led the team in most offensive categories, including batting average (.500), home runs (5) and RBIs (31).
Both Hartman and Evans, who shared MVI-BeeGraphix Dirty Dozen first-team honors with the likes of Pikula and Larcinese, were instrumental in leading Frazier to appearances in the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs.
“With all that she has accomlished in her career, this is really the icing on the cake,” Don Hartman said. “I’m really proud of her because she’s extremely hard working. The girls works on softball 12 months a year.
“She set a goal back in middle school that she wanted to become a Division I softball player and she has done everything one could possibly do to achieve that goal.”
Like Hartman and Evans, Pikula had an offensive season to remember for a South Allegheny team that played in a tough section before advancing to the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals.
Hitting at the top of the lineup for head coach Jenn Stockett, Pikula batted a phenomenal.647 with a home run, 25 RBIs and 30 runs scored. She added six doubles, seven triples and struck out just two times in 77 at bats. Pikula was a menace on the basepaths as well, stealing 25 bags for the Gladiators.
“When we started off the year, we weren’t even sure if she was going to be playing because she had a shoulder/arm injury,” Stockett said. “The girl never gave up and never missed a game. She is one of the hardest working players out there and if I could have every player be like her, it would be amazing. Out of anybody, she really deserved this.”
Larcinese was named an all-state selection for the second time in her career after helping lead EF to the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs. Larcinese previously earned all-state recognition as a sophomore in 2019.
The Towson recruit battled back from an injury last year to return to form as a senior this spring, compiling a 17-3 record with a 0.87 ERA in 21 starts. She struck out 188 batters and walked 24 in 120 2/3 innings.
For her efforts, Larcinese was selected as the Mon Valley Independent-BeeGraphix Dirty Dozen Pitcher of the Year for the second time in her career Wednesday.
“It’s an honor to be named to any all-star team but to be named to an all-state team is extraordinary due to the number of players to choose from,” EF head coach Harry Rutherford said. “Kailey should be extremely proud of her individual accomplishments.”
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