Altoona Mirror 2009 baseball, softball all-stars

Merilli heads pitching stars

By Philip Cmor, pcmor@altoonamirror.com
Area high school softball this year signified something of a passing of the torch. Miranda Merilli, who helped make Bishop Guilfoyle a state power, completed her career. However, the emergence of Claysburg-Kimmel freshman Ronette Claar and Philipsburg-Osceola sophomore Chelsea Rex showed that the pitching circle would be in capable hands for years to come. Merilli, Claar and Rex are part of an outstanding crop of pitchers that highlight the Altoona Mirror 2009 all-star softball team. For Merilli, it is her third and final appearance on the first team. Claar and Rex are new names on the first-team list. Merilli isn’t the only familiar name on the area’s top softball squad. Teammate Kiley Dick, Philipsburg-Osceola’s Kelsey Gonder and Taylor Harpster, Central Cambria’s Sam Kemock and Chestnut Ridge outfielder Jessalyn Neatrour are all returning first-teamers. Dick, a senior, and Harpster, still with a year of eligibility remaining, are, like Merilli, on the first team for the third year. The Mirror’s all-star baseball first team has its fair share of faces with whom area fans should already be familiar, too. Hollidaysburg’s Aaron Kovach, Central’s Jordon Saylor, Tyrone’s John Shaffer and Tussey Mountain’s Cody Swope each earned a second straight berth, while Central’s Drew Ebersole, Cambria Heights’ John Fees and Tussey’s Dave McMurtrie made the jump up from the second team. Hollidaysburg, which won the District 6 Class AAAA baseball title and an interdistrict play-in game, has the most baseball first-team picks with four. Philipsburg-Osceola, which went 21-2 and was upset by eventual PIAA Class AA champion Bald Eagle Area in the District 6 finals, led the softball first team by garnering four spots. The softball first-team, as usual, was marked by outstanding pitching, and, as has become the custom, Merilli is a big reason why. A year after she pitched the Lady Marauders to the state semifinals, she led BG to the district finals in a stacked tournament field that included a pair of teams that won PIAA games. Merilli leaves Guilfoyle holding every school pitching record. As a senior, she struck out 159 batters in 1292/3 innings and only walked 17, recording a 1.46 ERA. She fanned 676 in her career. By Philip Cmor pcmor@altoonamirror.com Area high school softball this year signified something of a passing of the torch. Miranda Merilli, who helped turn Bishop Guilfoyle a state power, completed her career. However, the emergence of Claysburg-Kimmel freshman Ronette Claar and Philipsburg-Osceola sophomore Chelsea Rex showed that the pitching circle would be in capable hands for years to come. Merilli, Claar and Rex are part of an outstanding crop of pitchers that highlight the Altoona Mirror 2009 all-star softball team. For Merilli, it is her third and final appearance on the first team. Claar and Rex are new names on the first-team list. Merilli isn’t the only familiar name on the area’s top softball squad. Teammate Kiley Dick, Philipsburg-Osceola’s Kelsey Gonder and Taylor Harpster, Central Cambria’s Sam Kemock and Chestnut Ridge outfielder Jessalyn Neatrour are all returning first-teamers. Dick, a senior, and Harpster, still with a year of eligibility remaining, are, like Merilli, on the first team for the third year. The Mirror’s all-star baseball first team has its fair share of faces with whom area fans should already be familiar, too. Hollidaysburg’s Aaron Kovach, Central’s Jordon Saylor, Tyrone’s John Shaffer and Tussey Mountain’s Cody Swope each earned a second straight berth, while Central’s Drew Ebersole, Cambria Heights’ John Fees and Tussey’sDave McMurtrie made the jump up from the second team. Hollidaysburg, which won the District 6 Class AAAA baseball title and an interdistrict play-in game, has the most baseball first-team picks with four. Philipsburg-Osceola, which went 21-2 and was upset by eventual PIAA Class AA champion Bald Eagle Area in the District 6 finals, led the softball first team by garnering four spots. The softball first-team, as usual, was marked by outstanding pitching, and, as has become the custom, Merilli is a big reason why. A year after she pitched the Lady Marauders to the state semifinals, she led BG to the district finals in a stacked tournament field that included a pair of teams that won PIAA games. Merilli leaves Guilfoyle holding every school pitching record. As a senior, she struck out 159 batters in 129 2/3 innings and only walked 17, recording a 1.46 ERA. She fanned 676 for her career. There was plenty of good pitching not just in the area, but in Altoona itself. Senior Jessica Seasoltz returned to action at Altoona High and led the Lady Lions to their first winning season in recent memory, striking out 17 in one game. Juniata Valley just recently added softball, but the Lady Hornets already have produced a Division I college recruit in Kara Boyd, who was dominant both as a pitcher and a hitter. While Merilli, Seasoltz and Boyd all have graduated, Claar and Rex will be back. Claar hurled three no-hitters, including a perfect game in the PIAA quarterfinals. Rex posted a sub-0.80 ERA, splitting time with Gonder. There’s no shortage of hitters on the softball first team, either. Dick wrapped up her career with 109 hits, and Kemock finished with 100 on the nose. Central Cambria’s Taylor Swatsworth and Chestnut Ridge’s Alana Weyant shared first-team third baseman honors after combining for 16 home runs. Swatsworth and Weyant are both sophomores, part of an eight-player underclassman contingent on the first team. BG, Claysburg, Ridge and Central Cambria each placed two players on the softball first team. Hollidaysburg pitcher-infielder Jackie Smith heads the second team. Altoona, Central and Tussey followed Hollidaysburg for the most baseball first teamers with two apiece. Altoona’s representatives are Andy Smithmyer, who led area hurlers with 72 strikeouts and beat a tough Cedar Cliff team to begin the season, and freshman Christian Helsel. Altoona, Hollidaysburg and Philipsburg-Osceola netted three second-team slots, while Bellwood-Antis had three, led by shortstop Nate Gray. 2009 Mirror baseball all-star team FIRST TEAM Josh Gallagher C Sr. Penn Cambria Notable: Penn State-McKeesport recruit batted .365 with five doubles, a homer and 12 RBIs but grades out even higher for his defense. John Shaffer 1B Sr. Tyrone Notable: Returning first-team selection hit .481 with a double, triple, two home runs and 13 RBIs while making Mountain League first team. Jordon Saylor MI Jr. Central Notable: Scarlet Dragon shortstop marks second year on first team after hitting .459 with 24 runs, 25 RBIs, two homers and 20 stolen bases. Neil Schroth MI Sr. Hollidaysburg Notable: Youngstown State recruit had a 10-game hitting streak for the 6-AAAA champions. Wound up batting .422 with five triples. Drew Ebersole 3B Sr. Central Notable: Mountain League first-teamer smacked 12 doubles, drove in 22 runs and scored 21 while batting .444. Signed with Pitt-Johnstown. Aaron Kovach 3B Sr. Hollidaysburg Notable: Mount Aloysius recruit makes second appearance on first team. Led team to 6-AAAA title by hitting .460 with three doubles, three triples and 16 RBIs. John Fees OF Sr. Cambria Heights Notable: Future at UPJ is probably in pitching, but he also batted .444 with nine extra-base hits and more than an RBI per game. Christian Helsel OF Fr. Altoona Notable: Led the Mountain Lions in hitting (.451) and carried a .615 on-base percentage because he also walked 10 times. Scored 15 runs. Zach Myers OF Sr. Juniata Valley Notable: Called one of the best he’d seen in a long time by an opposing coach. Hit .490 with six homers, nine stolen bases, 19 runs and 27 RBIs. Andy Glass DH Sr. Hollidaysburg Notable: Played shortstop but was best known for his bat: Led Golden Tigers with a .462 average and a .654 slugging percentage. Luke Trotz DH Jr. Central Cambria Notable: Produced a slugging percentage of .833 because of his seven doubles and two triples to go with his .571 batting average. Cody Swope UTI Sr. Tussey Mountain Notable: Alternating between third and short gave returning first-teamer hit .509 with 30 runs, 24 RBIs, 13 extra-base hits. Also went 7-1 pitching. Jude Tenerowicz RHP Sr. Northern Cambria Notable: Imposing power pitcher was 5-1 for 9-6 Colts, striking out 51 and only walking 18 in 33 innings pitching with a sparkling 0.90 ERA. Andrew D. Maul RHP So. Portage Notable: Mustangs won 14 games this year, and he was involved in nine of those with six wins and three saves. MVP on a team that reached 6-A semifinals. David McMurtrie LHP Sr. Tussey Mountain Notable: Up from second team after going 6-2 with a 1.34 ERA. Allowed just 48 hits and 22 walks in nearly 60 innings. Finished career 15-6. Brandon Simpson RHP Jr. Hollidaysburg Notable: Formed a terrific righty-lefty combination for Tigers with Luke Ottaway. Was 7-1 with a 3.88 ERA and hurled four complete games. Andy Smithmyer RHP Sr. Altoona Notable: This year’s area strikeout king with 72 in just 45 innings. Potomac State recruit had a 3.73 ERA and a 5-3 record. SECOND TEAM Zack Czap C Jr. Philipsburg-Osceola Jordan Sneed 1B So. Altoona Josh Adams 2B Jr. Altoona Nate Gray SS Sr. Bellwood-Antis Paul Hahn 3B Sr. Philipsburg-Osceola Anthony Gardill OF Sr. Chestnut Ridge Trey Mock OF Sr. Bellwood-Antis Jeff Wasilewski OF Sr. Central Cambria Sidd Amirneni DH Jr. Hollidaysburg Tyler Claar UTI Sr. Claysburg-Kimmel Brad Ewing UTI Sr. Everett C.J. Gahagan RHP Jr. Central Luke Ottaway LHP Sr. Hollidaysburg Nate Plummer RHP Jr. Bellwood-Antis Matt Snyder RHP Sr. Northern Bedford Clint Mearkle LHP Sr. Everett HONORABLE MENTION Catcher: Michael Blair, Claysburg-Kimmel; Brian Laurito, Northern Cambria; Nate Reid, Central; Seth Shaffer, Chestnut Ridge; James Yocklovich, Bedford First base: Justin Dudurich, Moshannon Valley; Vance Kimberly, Glendale; Nick Moriconi, Bishop Carroll; Matt Stewart, Huntingdon Second base: Tyler Lalli, Juniata Valley; Byron Rose, Bedford; Ryan Scoran, Portage Shortstop: Zane Camaroto, Williamsburg; Andrew J. Maul, Portage; Joel Polites, Northern Cambria Third base: Doug Rudy, Tyrone; Matt Walsh, Portage Outfield: Tyler Chesney, Northern Bedford; Dane Diehl, Tussey Mountain; Derek Forshey, Central; Keith Kawtoski, Altoona; A.J. Kitt, Bishop Guilfoyle; Brandon Myers, Philipsburg-Osceola; Matt Taylor, Hollidaysburg; Jake Weibley, Hollidaysburg Utility: Luke Curtis, Philipsburg-Osceola (1B-DH-RHP); Rob Maruca, Bishop Carroll (3b-RHP); Drew McCabe, Bishop Carroll (SS-RHP) Designated hitter: Craig Callovini, Moshannon Valley; Jared Templeton, Tyrone; Luke Wiley, Chestnut Ridge Pitcher: Storm Bumbarger, Philipsburg-Osceola (RHP); Bobby Colton, Huntingdon (RHP); Shawn Conrad, Bishop Guilfoyle; Jared Donelson, Huntingdon (LHP); Brad O’Donnell, Glendale (RHP); Joe Risbon, Northern Bedford (RHP; Taylor Swires, Portage (RHP) 2009 Mirror softball all-star team FIRST TEAM Taylor Harpster C Jr. Philipsburg-Osceola Notable: Third first-team appearance. Batted .444 with six doubles, four homers and 25 RBIs. Threw out nine of 12 baserunners and picked off four. Becky Petrisko 1B Sr. Northern Cambria Notable: Batted .488 with three home runs and 39 RBIs for District 6 Class A runner-up. At her best in the playoffs, when she drove in 12 runs. Chasity Myers 2B Jr. Philipsburg-Osceola Notable: Already an elite defender, she made big strides with the bat by hitting .469 with seven doubles, two triples, 19 RBIs and 17 runs scored. Samantha Kemock SS Sr. Central Cambria Notable: Second appearance on first team. Batted .486 with 15 extra-base hits, 31 runs, 21 RBIs and finished career with exactly 100 hits. Taylor Swatsworth 3B So. Central Cambria Notable: Broke a 29-year-old Lady Red Devil record with nine home runs. Batted .541 with 31 runs, 28 RBIs and also led team in stolen bases. Alana Weyant 3B So. Chestnut Ridge Notable: A big reason why Lady Lions were undefeated entering interdistricts. Batted .470 with seven triples, seven homers, 37 runs and 29 RBIs. Krysta Gerheim OF Sr. Claysburg-Kimmel Notable: Captain of team that reached PIAA semis. Penn State Altoona recruit batted .424 with 23 runs, 24 RBIs, four doubles and three triples. Jessalyn Neatrour OF Jr. Chestnut Ridge Notable: Returns to the first team after hitting .357 with 26 runs, 19 RBIs, six doubles, six triples and two home runs. Also defensive wizard. Paige Robertson OF Sr. Altoona Notable: Hit .295 against a power-packed schedule that included wins over BEA and BG. Led team in runs and steals, played exemplary defense. Kiley Dick DP Sr. Bishop Guilfoyle Notable: Three-time first-teamer batted .509 this season with seven doubles, three triples, two homers and 24 runs. Finished with 109 career hits. Kelsey Gonder UTI Jr. Philipsburg-Osceola Notable: Repeating first-teamer split time between third and pitcher. Batted .354 with seven doubles, 19 RBIs, and a 10-1 pitching mark. Kara Boyd LHP Sr. Juniata Valley Notable: Fairleigh Dickinson recruit went 9-2 with 102 strikeouts, 38 hits and 32 walks in 75 innings of work. Helped herself out by hitting .446. Ronette Claar RHP Fr. Claysburg-Kimmel Notable: Had a 1.52 ERA to go with her 16-3 record and three saves. Struck out 174 and fired a perfect game in the PIAA Class A quarterfinals. Miranda Merilli RHP Sr. Bishop Guilfoyle Notable: Nets third straight first-team spot after going 17-3 with a 1.46 ERA and 159 strikeouts. Recorded 676 strikeouts in her career. Chelsea Rex RHP So. Philipsburg-Osceola Notable: Struck out 134 batters in just 711/3 innings of work, producing a record of 11-1 with a sparkling 0.78 ERA. Also hit five homers. Jessica Seasoltz RHP Sr. Altoona Notable: Recorded a 1.04 ERA against some of the best teams the state had to offer. Had a 9-4 record, striking out 140 and only allowing 43 hits. SECOND TEAM Dee Maurer C Sr. Northern Cambria Brooke Kudlawiec C So. Altoona Katie Confer 1B Sr. Philipsburg-Osceola Kayla Randall 2B Sr. Portage Stefanie McCoy SS So. Chestnut Ridge Christi Mauk 3B Jr. Claysburg-Kimmel Amanda Clark OF Jr. Everett Morgan Coble OF Jr. Philipsburg-Osceola Amanda Ott OF Sr. Cambria Heights Bethany Cocola DP Jr. Bishop Guilfoyle Taylor Murarik UTI Jr. Moshannon Valley Brandi Chappell RHP Sr. Portage Katie Kaminsky RHP Sr. Tussey Mountain Cass Kollar RHP Sr. Northern Cambria Jackie Smith RHP Sr. Hollidaysburg Rachel Smith RHP Jr. Central HONORABLE MENTION Catcher: Jess Beegle, Everett; Breanne James, Central Cambria; Katie Keating, Huntingdon; Brittney Negley, Claysburg-Kimmel; Sam Patterson, Juniata Valley; Katie Wyland, Bishop Carroll First base: Marissa Ayers, Central; Casey Baird, Huntingdon; Didi Rizzo, Altoona; Kelsey Shawley, Bellwood-Antis; Kelly Shoemaker, Central Cambria Second base: Tamara Askey, Bellwood-Antis; Ashley Baker, Northern Cambria Shortstop: Jenna Bobik, Northern Cambria; Ali Dodson, Northern Bedford; Kalee Harten, Claysburg-Kimmel; Ashleigh Kissell, Portage; Kate Reese, Penn Cambria; Tiffany Seasoltz, Bishop Guilfoyle; Alexyss Spencer, Huntingdon Third base: Casey Garman, Central; Melanie Madey, Bishop Guilfoyle; Cheyenne Sands, Penn Cambria; Kelli Whitfield, Everett Outfield: Tiffany Clingerman, Chestnut Ridge; Daniele Kuny, Bishop Guilfoyle; Kierston Lorditch, Central Cambria; Brittany Mock, Chestnut Ridge; Ann Steele, Northern Bedford; Mackenzie Walter, Hollidaysburg Designated player: Kelsey Salyards, Hollidaysburg (C-RHP-1B) Utility: Kacy Blevins, Bedford (SS-RHP); Kristie Mulhollem, Altoona (3B-SS); Macy Replogle, Bedford (1B-OF) Pitcher: Lysey Bodek, Cambria Heights; Brittany Decker, Everett (RHP)