Trojans looking for consistent play
California is in 2A now and in a section with local rivals including Bentworth and Frazier.
(Editor’s note: Due to a production error, the California softball preview was not included in Thursday’s edition of First Pitch. We are running it to lead off today’s sports section).
After a year under his belt with the California softball squad, coach Matt White will look to guide his young team to more consistent play in 2025.
The Trojans finished last year with an 1-11 overall record and their lone win was a section triumph over Avella in late April.
“I think it just took time for us to gel last year,” White expressed. “Last season, when something went bad for us in a game it just snowballed and we could not recover from it. I think there is a huge difference to where we are now from where we were at last year at this time.”
Cal will have 16 players on their roster, and only one senior.
“On paper we might be young, but a lot of these girls saw plenty of varsity time last spring,” White said. “That playing experience is invaluable. The girls have brought the right attitude into these early practices and you can tell their confidence is growing. I am also happy to see that we have leaders sprouting in our program already.”
The Trojans have been bumped up to Class 2A this spring and will be in Section 4 which consists of WPIAL runner-up Bentworth, Brownsville, Frazier, Washington and Waynesburg.
“You have a lot of wellcoached, playoff perennial teams in our section,” White pointed out. “Most of those teams has veteran, top-tier pitches as well. I think Bentworth, Brownsville and Frazier are the top three teams in the section. That last playoff spot will be a battle between the other three. And that is our goal, we want to finish fourth and grab that final playoff spot.”
Cal has only made the postseason four times since 2009 and their last playoff berth was in 2021.
Kayla Saeli is the lone senior for the Trojans and brings a potent bat with her after garnering a team-high .323 batting average last season.
“Kayla has a smooth, quick swing and was a key piece to our offense in 2024,” White said. “She can hit to all fields and know how to adapt to different pitches at the plate. We might bat her in the 2-spot just to get her more atbats during the season. I also love her leadership. She is a great leader for us.”
Another key piece for Cal coming back is junior Madyson Morton, who can be penciled in the lineup as either a catcher, third basemen or outfielder.
“Madyson is a three-sport athlete and you can tell she is just one of those super athletic kids,” White explained. “I look for big things from her this season after she batted .312 a year ago. She is one of our captains and the girls rally around her because she is a very energetic and talkative leader.”
Other key pieces for the Trojans’ lineup will be juniors Aubrey Dearinger (C-INF-OF), Devani Barber (2B-OF), Jesse Martin (INFOF), Katelyn Pierce (OF) and Ryle Rusnak (2B), as well as sophomore Ella Fike (CF).
White also thinks that four freshmen might have a quick impactful on the team in Avery Filby (C-OF), Bailee Cuthbertson (1B-INF), Gabbi Lucinski (2B-OF) and Olivia Lenkey (SS).
In the circle, three players are fighting it out for pitching time and they are junior Lindsay Leasure, Lucinski and Lenkey.
“It’s a close battle and we will take it game-by-game with those three this season,” White said. “We know this is southwestern Pennsylvania, so you will have weather postpone some games and you might have weeks where you play four games in five days. We will rely on our pitching depth there, but it would be nice if we could get a clear number one pitcher and just ride the hot hand at the start.”
Cal’s season opener is home versus Avella March 18, while section play gets underway at Frazier April 4.
“I think our offense will be good this year, its just the little things and consistency that will have to carry us during the season,” White stated. “We need to play cleaner on defense and eliminate the mental errors. Our pitches must throw strikes. We might rely on our speed a lot on the bases. Our approach is to win the inning every time out this season.”
