BVA softball team needs all the pieces to fit

Several positions are up for grabs entering the season.

Belle Vernon Area softball coach Tom Rodriguez knows the formula for success. It’s just a matter of putting all the right ingredients together at once.

“I really think it comes down to our pitching, defense and timely hits,” Rodriguez said. “We’re going to have to put them together every game.”

The biggest question mark for the Leopards entering the season is their pitching. Last season, they lost Talia Ross, now at Lock Haven, to an Achilles injury. They turned to Lily Crawford and Maddie Grisnik, who will again be in the spotlight.

“Our scrimmages will determine a lot,” Rodriguez said. “Those girls have been working hard in the offseason and during our workouts. They’re a lot stronger and their pitches have looked good.”

Rodriguez said as of now, all starting positions are up for grabs defensively.

Around the infield will be a combination of Katie Sokol, Lauren VanDivner, Taylor Beech, Mailey Hayes, Courtney Hamer and Kaylee Sypolt.

VanDivner is a Potomac State recruit.

In the outfield, Bella Williams, Sydney Callaway, Sydney Stark and Miley Madison are battling it out for the three spots.

At catcher, Mercyhurst commit Mia Zubovic returns with freshman Paisley Hibner looking to get some time.

“I really like what I’ve seen from the defense,” Rodriguez said. “Coach (John) Christner said it’s looked like one of the best we’ve had. We’ll see if that holds up through our scrimmages.”

Offensively, the Leopards look poised to score some runs despite the graduation of first baseman Gracie Sokol, who hit .508 with 21 RBIs.

Katie Sokol hit .485 last season with four home runs and 19 RBIs, and VanDivner is back after hitting .421 with two home runs and 17 RBIs.

“Those two are going to have to lead us offensively, but there are plenty of other bats that we rely on,” Rodriguez said. “We have a lot of girls that we’re going to count on with the bat.”

He pointed to Hayes, a sophomore shortstop who hit .333 with three homers and 16 RBIs last season.

Zubovic hit three homers and had 18 RBIs with a .328 mark last year.

Bella Williams hit .368 last season with 12 RBIs and is another player who will look to boost her numbers a bit.

“Everything looks good in the cage and off the machine, but you really don’t find out too much until you see the live pitching,” Rodriguez added.

Rodriguez sees Elizabeth Forward as the team to beat in the new Section 2-4A. He slotted his team third behind West Mifflin.

“I think EF returns a lot of good players,” Rodriguez said. “West Mifflin has some good players and they can always hit. I think we could get up into that spot if things go well.”

The Leopards open the season Friday on the road against Waynesburg Central for a non-section contest.