WPIAL Class 3A Championship

#3 Mount Pleasant (15-4) vs. #1 South Park (19-1) – Thursday, 2:15 p.m. at Lilley Field at California (Pa.)

Pregame at 2 p.m. on WSN Audio - LISTEN LIVE

WSN Broadcasters: Sean Meyers & Roger Downs

When looking at the roster for Mount Pleasant Area softball, it’s easy to dream of the future potential. The Vikings have just two seniors on the roster, while numerous freshmen have already established themselves as key contributors.

Mount Pleasant has a chance to prove that the future is now on Thursday, as the No. 3 Vikings face top seed South Park in the WPIAL Class 3A Championship at California University of Pennsylvania’s Lilley Field.

“They have exceeded my expectations,” detailed Mount Pleasant head coach Paul Reho. “I thought we’d compete – we won the section, made the playoffs last year. I thought we’d make a little further this year, setting it up for next season to be the year.”

It didn’t take long this year for the Vikings to look the part of a contender. After dropping their first game of the season, the Vikings posted 13 consecutive victories, including going 10-0 in Class 3A Section 1.

While sweeping perennial contenders Burrell and Yough was notable, it was a victory against a team that ultimately missed the postseason that Reho reflects on as a defining moment. Playing under the lights in Norvelt, the Vikings rallied for a wild 15-14 walk-off win against Ligonier Valley.

Although the team dropped three straight nonsection tilts against larger schools to conclude the regular season, the Vikings earned a bye to the quarterfinals, where they knocked off Burrell for a third time, 9-4. Mount Pleasant (15-4) then notched a thrilling 3-2 triumph in eight innings against Keystone Oaks in the semifinals last Wednesday at Norwin High School, as freshman Chloe Borelli smacked the walk-off double to plate senior Carly Surma. Another 9th-grader, Sadie Poole, also doubled and scored in the victory against the Golden Eagles.

“I knew that I was going to have to rely on some freshmen this year,” Reho detailed. “These are not typical freshmen. They’re a special group.”

The Vikings’ offense has been prolific throughout the campaign, with six regulars batting .350 or better, and the team collectively slugging above .500. The pitching, led by Dani Trainer, has also excelled. The junior hurler has gone 13-4 with a 2.94 ERA, racking up 98 strikeouts in 109.2 innings of work.

“Both her and our defense have done a really nice job – when teams get runners on – of not allowing them to score,” Reho said.

Despite all of their accolades, the Vikings will be decided underdogs against South Park. The Eagles, who lost to Mohawk in the title game in each of the past two years, enter this matchup with a mark of 19-1, with the lone setback coming against Class 6A WPIAL Champion Hempfield Area in extra innings.

The Eagles have notched 13 shutouts this season, including a pair of 2-0 playoff wins, defeating Avonworth in the quarterfinals and Ellwood City in the semis.

Pitcher Sydney Sekely, a Gannon University signee, has been nearly untouchable in the circle. She’s amassed a mark of 16-1 with an ERA of 0.41 in 103.2 innings, issuing 19 walks while racking up 203 strikeouts. She’s also an offensive dynamo, posting an average of .516. Emma Hays and Grace Kempton, a Bethany College pledge, have also enjoyed stellar seasons at the plate.

The Vikings recognize the challenge they face in pursuit of their third WPIAL title.

“It’s easy to come up with a game plan and talk about it with the girls, but they’re the ones who have to step in the box and execute that game plan,” Reho stated.