FROM KEITH GROLLER
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
EMMA VARRATO, PARKLAND
Parkland coach Barry Search is not the type of guy who gives you a lot of definitive statements, but he was quite clear in saying “Emma Varrato is the most improved player on our team this year. Absolutely.”
Varrato, a junior shortstop, had a key, two-out, two-run triple in the bottom of the first inning on Wednesday night to help Parkland quickly recover from a ragged top of the first when two errors led to two Northampton runs.
Varrato would score the go-ahead run and Parkland was on its way to 5-3 District 11 4A semifinal victory.
“We needed something there and she came through for us,” Search said. “She has come through for us all season. She’s had big hits and when her confidence gets up there, she’s a tremendous player.”
Varrato started at second base as a freshman and moved to short as a sophomore.
“She’s already a three-year starter and makes all the plays at shortstop and has gotten better as a hitter,” Search said. “She doesn’t do a lot of joking around. She’s very serious about the game. I like that.”
Varrato, who later added a single against Northampton, said “this is by far the best year I’ve had and I just want to keep getting better.”
Varrato entered Thursday’s district title game with .343 average, six extra-base hits, 16 runs, 13 RBIs and six steals.
SOFTBALL TOP 10
Rank, Team, Record, Last time
1., Parkland, 23-0, 1
2., Northampton, 17-7 5
3., Liberty, 18-6, 3
4., Bethlehem Catholic, 17-6, 4
5., Brandywine, 21-3, 2
6., Pleasant Valley, 20-5, 7
7., Pen Argyl, 19-5, 9
8., Bangor, 17-7, 8
9. Emmaus, 15-7, 6
10. Catasauqua, 16-7, NR
Note: League champs were: Parkland (LVC), Bangor (Colonial) and Pleasant Valley (MVC).
Note: District 11 champs were: Parkland (4A), Becahi (3A), Pen Argyl (2A), Minersville (A).
Dropped: Freedom (13-8). Others to watch: Kutztown (14-7), Nazareth (12-10), Salisbury (13-8), Southern Lehigh (13-8), Stroudsburg (14-9), Whitehall (11-11), Wilson (16-7).
Records through Thursday’s games.
SOFTBALL TOP 10
Rank, Team, Record, Last time
1., Parkland, 23-0, 1
2., Northampton, 17-7 5
3., Liberty, 18-6, 3
4., Bethlehem Catholic, 17-6, 4
5., Brandywine, 21-3, 2
6., Pleasant Valley, 20-5, 7
7., Pen Argyl, 19-5, 9
8., Bangor, 17-7, 8
9. Emmaus, 15-7, 6
10. Catasauqua, 16-7, NR
Note: League champs were: Parkland (LVC), Bangor (Colonial) and Pleasant Valley (MVC).
Note: District 11 champs were: Parkland (4A), Becahi (3A), Pen Argyl (2A), Minersville (A).
Dropped: Freedom (13-8). Others to watch: Kutztown (14-7), Nazareth (12-10), Salisbury (13-8), Southern Lehigh (13-8), Stroudsburg (14-9), Whitehall (11-11), Wilson (16-7).
Records through Thursday’s games.
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