EF softball has loaded lineup, pitching questions

Coach Harry Rutherford believes his team is in good position for another section title and two more long playoff runs.

It’s a new season and expectations still remain the same for the Elizabeth Forward softball team.

The defending WPIAL Class 4A champions are back without the graduated Shelby Telegdy and Carlee Soukup, but the Warriors return seven starters from a team that went 23-2 overall last season and finished as the state runner- up.

“So far, it’s looking good,” Warriors head coach Harry Rutherford said. “I think we have a great defense. We have 10 girls returning that hit over .300 last year. We’re still not sure who the starting pitcher is going to be.”

The competition for the starting pitching job is probably the biggest storyline of the Warriors’ preseason.

There are three pitchers in the mix: senior Julia Johnson, junior Julia Resnik and sophomore Berlyn Holibaugh.

“Right now, Julia is a little more accurate. Resnik and Holibaugh are throwing in the 60s, but not quite as accurate as Johnson has been. If I need a fireballer, we have Holibaugh and Resnik ready to go. It may depend on the matchups.

“We’re going to see how they perform in Florida and we’ll take it from there.”

Depending who’s on the mound, the Warriors’ powerful lineup will include Resnik at short, Holibaugh returns at second and Johnson in the circle. Addy Nigut returns at third base with Sophie Pasinsky replacing Soukup at first.

“Honestly, all we need is someone to receive the ball at first and maybe save us on some bad throws,” Rutherford said. “If Johnson isn’t pitching, she’ll be at first and we’ll move some things around.”

In the outfield, the Warriors will have Aubri Cimba and Hannah Evans returning in left and center field. The right field spot is a competition between Addison Musisko and Torie Bickerton.

“It’s going to depend on who is hitting the best,” Rutherford said. “We’re going to get some use out of the designated hitter spot, too. If someone in the regular lineup isn’t hitting, we’re going to use it.”

Despite realignment, the Warriors remain in a section with familiar foes Belle Vernon, West Mifflin, Laurel Highlands, Uniontown, Ringgold and Oakland Catholic.

“We know we have a target on our back,” Rutherford said. “Three straight section titles, that’s all this group knows as seniors. WPIAL champions and state runner- up. That’s what really has this group motivated.”

Rutherford still thinks EF is the team to beat in the section and is looking forward to a pair of long postseason runs in the WPIAL and state playoffs.

“Looking at West Mifflin coming in, they have some good hitters,” he said. “I think they’re right behind us. Belle Vernon, I think, will still have some struggles in the circle. They do have a good hitting lineup, though. I think it could be a toss-up between Belle Vernon and West Mifflin for that No. 2 spot.

“Uniontown may be pretty good. They’re that team that has the three to four travel ball players and try to fill in around them.”

Rutherford will be counting on leadership from Grimm and Johnson as team captains. Resnik was named a captain, too.

“Alivia and Julia, they started as freshmen and have seen just about everything. They’ve played in big games and big moments. They’re great team leaders,” Rutherford said.

“Resnik, she’s so level- headed. I loved Anna (Resnik) when she played here, but I think Jules is a little better and well-rounded. She doesn’t like to lose or get behind. She’s really hard on herself, but she doesn’t let that take her out of her game. She’s a driving force behind this team and a great kid to be around.”

Rutherford knows with Telegdy not in the three spot in the lineup, the home runs may not be as abundant. He said the team has really been working on hitting its spots in the outfield.

“Our downfall in the state championship game was that we tried to hit it over their heads. We had 13 flyouts in that game,” he said. “We weren’t able to adjust and play that choke-and-poke game.”

Rutherford takes the responsibility for his team not making the necessary adjustments and knows that they’ll be better prepared for the situation this season.

“We learned a lot from that,” he said. “We’ve spent a lot of time working on placing the ball in between the infield and a deep outfield. If we’re not going to hit as many home runs, that’s what we need to do to be successful. If teams want to play us on the warning track, we’re going to have to manufacture runs.”

The Warriors will start the season in Florida for their annual spring training trip. The varsity will play four games before returning for a non-section game at Yough.

“We’ve had a target on our back for years and these girls are experienced with that,” Rutherford said. “We’re still chasing that state title and I think we’re going to be right there in the mix to go and get it.”