Freshmen paying dividends for Vulcans
By JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com
Two years ago, Cal U softball coach Rick Bertagnolli began focusing on his 2021 recruiting class. Now, it’s paying off for the Vulcans.
After not having a field for 1,409 days, the Vulcans returned to Lilley Field and swept Gannon in a doubleheader. The Golden Knights are the team many see as the favorite in the PSAC West.
The starting lineup for the Vulcans in the opener featured five freshmen, including all three starting outfielders. Fast forward to Sunday’s game against IUP, the Vulcans had six first-year players starting.
“There’s a lot of competition at practice and those young kids have earned those spots,” Vulcans head coach Rick Bertagnolli said. “Those freshmen have been pushed by each other and by some players that started last season. It’s only made them better. Those girls have worked hard and they earned it.”
Bertagnolli and his assistant Natalya Smarra decided to get the young players’ feet wet as soon as possible.
“With no preseason, in a short season, they’ve responded really well,” Bertagnolli said. “They’re responded really well and we’re not going to make any drastic changes. Unless there’s a confidence slip or something, they’re going to continue working hard and will continue to play.”
Elizabeth Forward graduate Jordan Pinneri has started in left field and Southmoreland graduate Charity Henderson has been in right field. In center, it’s either been Alyssa Young (Mohawk) or Delaney Girvin from Albert Gallatin.
“Jordan has done really well. Girvin has had an opportunity and Alyssa Young, they’ve all battled each other,” Bertagnolli said.
Henderson currently sits third on the team with a .391 batting average and leads the team with three home runs. She has nine RBIs, second only to senior Paige Wilson (12).
Pinneri is tied for second on the team with seven runs scored. She’s fourth on the squad, hitting .364 with seven singles and a double.
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