Softball team has "family" feel, ready for new season

For John Miller, the Penn State Fayette softball coach, he has a vision of where he wants to see his program and what a major key is in getting there.

The goals include winning Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSUAC) and United States Athletic Association (USCAA) championships, and he knows what the building blocks are.

"Our expectations are to improve each year, constantly compete and win (PSUAC and USCAA) championships," he said. "We need to work as hard as we can and improve day-to-day while chasing championships.  Another vital goal is to maintain a family and team positive attitude, so the teams works and functions as one whole unit.  This will allow us to compete against anyone and have fun doing it."

A key part of the family atmosphere that Miller speaks of is having eight players, back, six of which are returning starters.  Mix in some newcomers and the team has a solid combination.

The six returning starters include sophomore first baseman/catcher Cassidy Uphold (Grantsville, MD/Northern Garrett HS), senior catcher/third baseman Kelsey Holp (Grindstone, PA/Frazier HS), senior pitcher Hope Hixon (Armagh, PA/United HS), junior shortstop Lauren Mastowski (Dawson, PA/Frazier HS), sophomore pitcher Hayley White (Cumberland, MD/Allegany HS) and sophomore centerfielder Lauran Minerd (Uniontown, PA/Albert Gallatin HS).

The other two returning players are senior Serena Rohland (McClellandtown, PA/Albert Gallatin HS) and sophomore Taylor Boyd (Charleroi, PA/Charleroi HS).

Considering what everyone has gone through over the last year, having so many players back has been a blessing for Miller.  However, missing out on preseason practices and conditioning is something that Fayette, and every other team, will have to overcome.

"This off-season was different from past ones and especially difficult due to the uncertainty and life-changing events that everyone has faced," he said. "This softball program has, and will always, overcome adversity.  Every member of this team is thankful to be having a season and we will not take a moment for granted."

The team has six newcomers this season and they will bring a nice mix of skill and talent.

The group consists of a trio of juniors in left fielder Carissa Cyphert (Scottdale, PA/Southmoreland HS), first baseman Kristina Aeschbacher (Carmichaels, PA/Carmichaels HS) and utility player Savannah Baker (Uniontown, PA/Uniontown HS), a pair of sophomores in right fielder Kayla Zelonka (Vandergrift, PA/Kiski Area HS) and utility player Larisa Lumbardo (Connellsville, PA/Southmoreland HS).

The team opens the season on Saturday, March 13 when it heads to Penn State DuBois for a doubleheader.

For more on the Penn State Fayette softball team, go to https://www.psfathletics.com/sports/sball/index.