Fox Chapel softball adjusts to speed of game to earn playoff berth

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, May 11, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Fox Chapel’s young softball team passed the first major test of the season by qualifying for the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.

The Foxes were then fortunate to have several nonsection tests against quality opposition to end the regular season.

Fox Chapel (7-9 overall, 4-6 Section 1-5A) won two of three games against teams that also qualified for the playoffs to end the regular season. Fox Chapel beat Mars, 4-2, and Deer Lakes, 11-0, but lost to Franklin Regional, 9-7.

“That was good,” Foxes coach Chris Olbrich said. “Those were all playoff teams like us. It was a good measuring stick and a good way to prepare for what they will see moving forward. It was good to see the fruits of their labor pay off.”

Fox Chapel had to figure things out quickly after losing three of its first four games. The Foxes were able to sweep Oakland Catholic and Penn Hills to earn a spot in the postseason.

Olbrich said that Fox Chapel went through its growing pains.

“They had to understand what the competition was,” Olbrich said. “They needed to understand how good the competition was and how good the quality of the pitching and other teams’ hitters are. They needed some time to get used to the speed of the game.”

Jillian Haigh did a majority of the pitching for the Foxes this season. Haigh, who also plays shortstop, was forced to pitch more after injuries sidelined two other Fox Chapel pitchers.

Olbrich said that Haigh was excellent with her pitching accuracy.

“She’s really good at hitting spots,” Olbrich said. “She has good control. She throws a good drop ball and is able to locate her fastball.”

Fox Chapel, which only has two seniors on its roster, knew the road ahead in the playoffs would be difficult. Olbrich hopes the experience the Foxes gained through the regular season will serve them well at the end of the season.

“They have to understand what the competition is going to be like,” Olbrich said.

Tags: Fox Chapel