Warriors FP, Perry seniors get closure with Senior Swing

By jose Negron

jnegron@yourmvi.com

Tears were shed, hugs were distributed and one last memory was shared among senior members of Warriors Fast Pitch and Perryopolis Wednesday night. 

The two teams had just battled in the championship game of the Mon Valley Independent Senior Swing softball tournament at the DiVirgilio Sports Complex in Rostraver Township, a contest in which Warriors Fast Pitch won, 4-0. 

Then, when it came to an end, the seniors from both teams were given an opportunity they weren’t presented with in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They had the chance to say goodbye to their teammates, coaches and fans after three years of high school softball and a series of recent games that gave them some much needed closure. 

“I’m just thankful for it,” said Jordan Pinneri, one of two Warriors FP and Elizabeth Forward seniors who were honored during postgame festivities. “This means a lot, especially after all the memories with going to states and winning a WPIAL championship. There were a lot of emotions going through me, especially in that last inning, I started tearing up.”

Pinneri and fellow classmate AJ McCorkle were among the EF players who were seeking the opportunity to take care of some unfinished business in the spring. 

The Warriors won 20 games and a WPIAL championship in 2019, but a state title eluded them as they dropped a 3-2 decision to West Perry in the 4A championship last year. 

EF was tasked with replacing just two senior starters from last year’s team and had a number of talented returning starters and incoming freshmen, enough to potentially compete for WPIAL and PIAA gold once again. 

The spring season never got off the ground, however, as the pandemic wiped out the campaign along with EF’s chances of replicating its magical year. 

The pain of not having a final high school season was felt by seniors across the state of Pennsylvania, including Pinneri and McCorkle. 

But the experiences of the last few weeks helped ease the pain a little.

“Once I got that last out, I took my face mask off, looked at everything and soaked it in,” said Pinneri, a Cal U recruit, of last week’s title game. “This means a lot for the girls, especially the seniors who didn’t get a senior season. Having more than one game and having a tournament meant a lot.” 

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