Number of WPIAL softball standouts were off to fast starts at college level

It pains some coaches and fans to think what could have been this season for a number of former WPIAL softball stars playing at the Division I college level.

When the coronavirus pandemic showed up early in the spring and put a line through the NCAA softball season, it also ended a strong start by several players from the area.

Some of them are finished playing while others hope to carry the momentum into next season.

Here’s a look at the early-season production of several players:

• Briana Bunner, Robert Morris: The senior outfielder from Southmoreland was hitting .339 with a team-leading 20 hits and 10 runs, plus two home runs and 10 RBIs, in 19 games.

• Taylor Dadig, George Mason: A sophomore shortstop out of Baldwin, Dadig had the team’s top batting average (.354) and had driven in eight runs and scored seven times in 19 games.

• Morgan Farrah, Colgate: Farrah, a sophomore infielder and Steel Valley alum, was tied for team lead in average (.317) and runs (12) and was leading the Patriot League with nine home runs and added 14 RBIs.

• Sara Jubas, James Madison: A junior infielder who played at South Fayette, Jubas was on a tear with a .439 average (29 for 66) to go with five home runs and 14 RBIs. She hit two home runs against North Carolina State. She has 100 career RBIs.

• Connor McGaffic, Pitt: A senior outfielder from South Side Beaver, McGaffic had a .300 average, two homers and seven RBIs for the Panthers in 18 games.

• Kaitlyn Morrison, Penn State: Morrison was off and running in her freshman season with the Nittany Lions. A South Park grad, she had a team-leading 23 hits, along with a home run and five RBIs.

• Adeline Nicholson, Morehead State: Another Southmoreland product, Nicholson hit .436 with a team-high 17 hits, 22 total bases and nine RBIs. She was the primary starter for the Eagles at first base.

• Claire Oberdorf, Marist: A redshirt senior out of Greensburg Salem, Oberdorf had a brilliant career while also playing basketball in the winter months. She was hitting .379 with three homers and 14 RBIs — all team highs — and 22 hits in 19 games.

• Bailey Parshall, Penn State: A left-handed sophomore pitcher from Belle Vernon, Parshall was third in the Big Ten Conference in strikeouts with 129. She had a 7-6 record and a 2.51 ERA.

• Katlyn Pavlick, Pitt: The sophomore outfielder from South Park had a .293 average with 17 hits and led the Panthers with four home runs and 11 RBIs in 20 games.

• Linda Rush, Drexel: In just 10 games, Rush was the statistical leader in just about every category for the Dragons. The Canon-McMillan product was batting .464 (13 for 28) with four homers, 13 runs scored and nine RBIs.

• Mekenzie Saban, St Francis (Pa.): A junior infielder from North Hills, Saban had a team-best 34 total bases, a .265 average, two homers and seven RBIs.