Somerset County senior softball players enjoy final high school game

SALISBURY — The Somerset County Senior Softball Game is becoming a fixture every July. The seventh installment of the annual game was contested on Thursday, in Salisbury.

Top seniors from across the county took the diamond for a final time. Team Blue defeated Team Red 9-6. The score did not matter. The game was all about making lasting memories alongside athletes they competed against throughout their high school careers.

Windber three-sport standout Gina Gaye got the start and earned the win in the circle for Team Blue. Gaye battled injuries during her career, but left her mark as a Rambler.

"This was really nice," said Gaye of the game. "I didn't know at the end of the season that there was an all-star game. It was nice to come back out and play one more time with my teammates. It was also nice to play with (Shanksville-Stonycreek's) Josie (Snyder) and Liz (Salsgiver), too. I played in the basketball all-star game with them. This was nice to be out here with all of them."

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The game is played at Salisbury's baseball field, allowing the athletes to play under the lights. It has been quite some time since Gaye has done that.

"This is my first softball game under the lights at the varsity level," she said. "I have not played under the lights since 12U. It was really exciting and I was really excited to pitch again, because I've put so much time throughout the years into that. Having one last chance to show how hard I worked was nice."

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Team Blue was led at the plate by Conemaugh Township's Olivia Weyandt. The Class 2A First-Team All-State utility player had four hits in the game. She started at first base and came in to pitch in the latter stages of the game to pick up the save.

Weyandt did not find out until last minute that she was even in the game. Through she arrived just ahead of the first pitch, Weyandt made her presence felt.

"This was fun," she said. "I didn't know many of the girls. I didn't even know I was playing in the game until last minute because nobody told me. But, I had a lot of fun. Playing softball is something that I love to do. I couldn't ask for a better team. Hey, we won. I was just happy to be here. All of the girls did a great job. It was a team effort. We had a bunch of fun in the dugout as well and didn't take the game too seriously."

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Shade's Cassidy Mauger was one of the top catchers in the county, both behind the dish and at the plate. She wrapped up her career, contributing for Team Red.

"This was great," Mauger said. "We all got along very well and just had a good time. This was a different experience playing under the lights because we normally play after school, but it was fun."

Somerset coach Craig Stinebiser led Team Red along with Shade's Jason Baer. Team Blue was coached by Shanksville's Randy Stutzman and Pete Putyrski.

Stinebiser understands the importance of the game, giving the athletes another opportunity to take the field.

"Truthfully, it is such a fun game," Stinebiser said. "A lot of these girls are not going to get to put on a uniform again. They get one last at-bat and a chance to compete with the girls they saw all throughout high school.

"I am glad we are able to put it on. I appreciate all of the people that sponsor it, and all of the companies that donate to it. This game is important to tradition right now. The kids seem to enjoy it and that is really what it is all about."

Following the 2022-23 athletic year, several Somerset County schools will be leaving the WestPAC. Berlin, Meyersdale, North Star, Rockwood and Windber will join the Inter-County Conference while Conemaugh Township will head to the Heritage Conference. The remaining WestPAC schools will likely need to find a new home as well.

Therefore, the Somerset County Senior Softball Game will carry even more significance in the years to come.

"After the conferences break apart, the game is going to become even more important," Stinebiser said. "This might be the only chance that some of the girls ever get to play with or against each other."

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset County Senior Softball Game marks end to memorable careers