While competing on the softball field this past season, one could argue that Warren teammates Alexa Bupp and Kaitlin Ishman were among the best softball players in the entire state of Pennsylvania.
Now it's official.
On Friday, Bupp and Ishman were named to the Pennsylvania Softball Coaches Association's (PSBCA) All-State team for the recently completed 2012 season. It is the first inclusion on the list for the pair of sophomores.
Article Photos
Photo by Denny Kyser
Sweet swing
Warren’s Alexa Bupp takes a cut at an opponent’s pitch during a softball game held earlier this season at the Farm Colony Complex. Bupp and teammate Kaitlin Ishman were recently named to the Pennsylvania Softball Coaches Association’s All-State team. Bupp was a first team selection at pitcher and Ishman was a second teamer at second base.
Bupp was a first team PSBCA selection at pitcher.
In helping the Dragons to an 18-2 record and their fourth straight District 10 Class AAA title game appearance, Bupp started all but one game on the mound for Warren in 2012. She compiled a 17-2 record and had a miniscule ERA of 0.92. In 114 innings pitched, Bupp struck out 156 opposing batters.
Offensively, Bupp was just as potent a weapon, compiling a team-best .435 batting average with seven homers and 27 RBI. Her RBI total was the best on the team and her home run total trailed only Ishman's.
"It's a tremendous honor for Lex and I'm very proud of her," said Warren softball coach and father Mark Bupp. "It's not easy being the daughter of a coach, but she handles it extremely well. Lex was able to finish the season with a sub-1.00 ERA and was among the leaders in the district in strikeouts. But she'd be the first to tell you that it takes nine to reach that accomplishment. Without the defense behind her, many of the accomplishments are not possible."
Ishman backed up a tremendous freshman campaign with an even better second season. Her talent was recognized with a second team selection to the PBSCA team.
Ishman batted .377 during the 2012 campaign and delivered nine total homers - the best on the team. Her 26 RBI trailed Bupp by just one for the team lead.
"Kat is a very gifted athlete," said Bupp. "She came in as a freshman last season and did a great job plugging a hole in our middle infield. Like Lex, she was able to get some experience at the varsity level and had a great summer in travel ball. She was able to carry that over to this season and really took her game to another level."
In addition to being proud of Bupp and Ishman, coach Bupp is pleased for what the All-State additions mean to the program.
"Of course I'm thrilled the two girls were given this recognition," he said. "But to me, I'm very happy the program has received this recognition. Lex and Kat are surrounded by some fantastic teammates who played a big part in helping them acheive this honor."
Other District 10 softball players included on the All-State team were Allania Banta (Fort LeBoeuf, second team, shortstop, Class AAA), Jolene Young (Fort LeBoeuf, honorable mention, designated player, Class AAA), Raven Rozantz (Fairview, first team, pitcher, Class AA), Megan Bowser (Titusville, second team, first base, Class AA), Kaitlin Pasierb (Harbor Creek, second team, third base, Class AA), Michalla Martin (Fairview, second team, outfield, Class AA), Kayla Kupniewski (Fairview, honorable mention, infield, Class AA), Marie Johnson (Titusville, honorable mention, Class AA), McKenzie Popatak (Sharpsville, first team, pitcher, Class A), Shelby Proctor (Cochranton, first team, outfield, Class A), Amanda Bowers (West Middlesex, second team, outfield, Class A), Rachel DiBartolomeo (Saegertown, second team, designated player, Class A), Megan Sindlinger (Linesville, honorable mention, Class A) and Arianna Hanley (Saegertown, honorable mention, pitcher, Class A).