By Stephen Smoot
All of Eric Crites’ coaching experience has come in the halls of Valhalla just to the north of Pendleton County, but don’t let his Petersburg pedigree fool anyone.
“I still live in Petersburg and they give me heck for that,” Crites joked. He played high school basketball for the Vikings, but turned down opportunities to play for Potomac State and Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. Since, he has coached basketball and softball at different levels. Though he coached middle school basketball for seven years, he admits that he “enjoyed coaching softball the most.”
The new softball head coach is ready to let his Wildcats do some pillaging of their own. He has watched the current crop of Wildcats grow from the Petersburg point of view and has developed a true appreciation. He remembered thinking in the past “that Pendleton County team will be deadly in a few years.”
That time is now.
Just as some of their other coaches, Rod Cooper and Donnie Kopp have boasted in volleyball and basketball, respectively, he says “this group will never back down.”
Pendleton County has two players who, in an almost unheard of situation for a team in single A, committed to playing at the next level. Both were recruited as juniors. Avery Townsend will continue her career in two years at Fairmont State while Baylee Beachler will play for Division 1 Robert Morris.
And they may not be the last of this group to receive those opportunities.
Crites praised the experience and ability of his pitching staff, starting with senior Allie Vance. Along with Beachler, she was one of two hurling for the Wildcats last year. Crites said of her, “She knows how to hit the corners. She knows how to throw for strikes. She’s one of the most consistent strike throwers I’ve seen.”
In other words, Vance is a classic ground ball pitcher who trusts and relies on her defense to team up and produce outs.
He called Beachler “the speed demon of our group. Last week, she hit 67 on the radar gun.” Beachler leads by example, Crites saying, “She really works hard to make herself better.”
Susan Vincell brings an important wrinkle to the pitching staff. The freshman throws left-handed, a rarity in single A softball. “The ball stays away from right-handed hitters,” the coach said, explaining that hitters, when making contact, often pull the ball softly to shortstop.
Since a team can never have enough pitchers, Crites has also started to develop Jayden Mitts’ arm. “Great name for a softball player, right?” he joked. Having a larger staff provides options in case of injury and, also “you don’t work one girl to death.”
Mitts will, however, primarily make her contributions in the outfield and is “a very good contact hitter.”
The infield starts with the experienced Lizzie Alt, who also plays varsity and travel team volleyball. “She’s a very solid kid all the way around,” her coach said, adding that “if it’s hit in her vicinity, she’s going to catch it.” Vincell will back up Alt at first.
Jenna Smith will man second base for the Wildcats. She’s “a very hard-working individual” and “can play most positions,” especially shortstop, third base, and catcher.
Townsend brings steady and reliable play to the shortstop position. She also brings that Rickey Henderson style combination of hitting for power and average, as well as bringing tremendous speed to base running. Crites adds that “she always has a smile on her face.”
Kate Hedrick holds down the “hot corner” for Pendleton County. The experienced senior “gives 110 percent. She’s a very strong hitter.” Crites also praised her defensive style, saying Hedrick is “the very aggressive type who will come up and get it.”
Jessica Parker will start at catcher as a freshman. Parker played in older divisions on her travel softball teams, so is used to competing with and against older players. She brings “the knowledge to control her pitchers.”
Nataley Hedrick started at catcher last year and will back up Parker this season because Crites wants to see her speed and agility deployed elsewhere. “She’s quick enough to get to anything in the outfield.”
The coach emphasized the importance of excellence in the outfield. “If an infielder makes an error,” he shared, “they get one base, max. If an outfielder makes an error, the runners can go forever.”
Julia Mongold moves from right to center field this year. In addition to her athletic ability and experience, Crites said, “She is the spirit leader of this team. She always has us laughing in practice” and is “a vocal leader helping everyone.” Mongold also often sparks the cheeky and fun dugout cheers that almost constantly emanate from the Wildcats’ side.
The outfield lineup will also include Madison Arbogast and Isabella Lockard.
Later in the season, Carolyn Varner will join the lineup. Crites said she’d play outfield and third while bringing a big bat to the plate. She missed basketball season due to injury and will add her wealth of softball experience to help mentor the younger players. Crites praised his entire team for their interest in watching middle schoolers, helping to mentor them as well.
He also envisions that every player, regardless of class or position, will get numerous opportunities to play and contribute to wins.
“We have the Greg Madduxes on this team,” he shared, adding that “they know what to do with the ball when they get it.
In their next to last practice before the season opener on Monday, they started with defensive drills, practicing situations such as double plays and run downs. Occasionally, he would ask the players if any of their travel coaches had different insights on how to deal with specific situations, trusting what he called the players’ “softball IQ” to contribute to coaching.
“The whole team is the smartest one I’ve ever been around,” Crites beamed.
