Larcinese sets EF strikeout record

By JOSE NEGRON

jnegron@yourmvi.com

As he reflects on the illustrious career of standout pitcher Kailey Larcinese, Elizabeth Forward head coach Harry Rutherford thinks back to a conversation he had with a coach a few years ago. 

“He told me that Kailey would never amount to a varsity pitcher,” Rutherford explained. “I responded and said, ‘When she gets to the high school, I’ll make a decision based on what I see and not what you see in her.’ When she came in as a freshman, I immediately knew she was going to be a special kid. It was obvious to me she had what it took to be successful.”

Over her three seasons at Elizabeth Forward, Larcinese has silenced her critics while proving to be one of the top pitchers in the WPIAL and the state. 

She surpassed the 500-strikeout mark this season, despite having missed her junior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has led EF to two WPIAL championship appearances – including its first title in 2019 – and a state title game appearance in her high school career. 

An all-state selection in 2019, Larcinese is the reigning Mon Valley Independent-BeeGraphix Pitcher of the Year and is now the all-time strikeout leader in Elizabeth Forward softball history. 

Larcinese surpassed Heather Riley’s previous mark of 522 career punchouts with a six-strikeout performance in a 15-0 victory over Franklin in the first round of the PIAA Class 4A playoffs Monday at Slippery Rock University. 

“It definitely means a lot and it shows  myself and others how much work I put in,” Larcinese said after Monday’s game. “It’s an awesome feeling.” 

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