University softball poised to defend state championship, battles Jefferson in Game 1
MORGANTOWN – After claiming their first-ever state title last spring, the University High School softball team is eyeing another milestone: becoming the inaugural Class AAAA state champion. Ranked sixth in the latest MetroNews Coaches Poll, the Hawks enter the tournament with a 3-2 record against fellow state qualifiers.
'We'll go down there and make a strong showing again,' UHS head coach Mindy Parks said. 'I really believe that. This team has it all the way through.'
The Hawks boast a potent offense, averaging 7.8 runs per game, while their defense holds opponents to just 2.1 runs per contest.
Senior Olivia Masoner anchors the lineup with a team-best .500 batting average, recording 42 hits in 84 at-bats. Maddie Campbell has been the Hawks' all-around standout, leading in home runs (6), runs scored (37), and RBIs (36). Campbell also dominates in the circle with a team-leading 1.49 ERA.
University heads into the postseason with confidence, having swept regional rival Morgantown in two tightly contested matchups, 4-3 and 2-0.
UHS will face off against Jefferson in Game 1 on Friday at 9:30 a.m. in Little Creek Park in South Charleston. The Hawks split a pair of contests with the Cougars during the regular season in Morgantown in the Mon County Classic. Jefferson won the first game 5-0 before the Hawks avenged the defeat 24 hours later, 3-2.
One Significant difference for UHS this year is the presence of Masoner on the field at the state tournament, as she was sidelined with an injury last May. Despite not playing, she still called all of the pitches for her pitchers, Campbell and Sophia Lehosit.
'Olivia does a really great job calling pitches,' Lehosit said. 'Maddie and I have full trust in her. Her calling pitches is kind of routine for us now.'
'She knows these girls. She's grown up with them since they were little,' Parks added of Masoner. 'Just having that relationship, more than anything, it starts with the friendships and relationships. They know each other so well.'
Another massive difference for Parks and her team this season is that they've been here before, having captured their first title last season. Having that confidence can make all the difference as the Hawks aim to make a statement from the opening pitch.
'It was so new to us last year, and we didn't know what we were walking into,' Parks said. 'We just wanted to get there, but once we got there, we wanted to win. Again, we want to do more than just show up.'
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