Frazier title is a family affair

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Coaching his daughter and leading Frazier to its first WPIAL softball championship — this one was special for Don Hartman.

Hartman’s daughter, Logan Hartman, pitched a complete game shutout, Frazier’s offense scored two early runs, and the youthful Commodores got by South Side Beaver in the WPIAL softball Class 2A championship game Wednesday afternoon, winning 2-0 at California University’s Lilley Field.

“This is something special for two reasons,” said Hartman, who previously coached the California baseball team for 23 years and won two WPIAL titles. “It’s the first-ever title [for Frazier] and because I finally got to coach my kid.”

Despite having no seniors on its roster, No. 2 seed Frazier (18-2) looked like an experienced team, making several impressive defensive plays and scoring two runs via small ball. Hartman said he knew his team would have a chance to win the championship at the season’s onset, though it’s led by so many young players.

“I’ve always said if you can play, you can play,” he said. “Just because you’re a freshman doesn’t mean you can’t play and just because you’re a senior doesn’t make you magical.”

The Commodores got on the scoreboard in their half of the first. Logan Hartman led off the inning with a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and advanced to third on a groundout to the right side of the infield.

Then with two outs, Emi Curcio ripped a single to right field, scoring the game’s first run.

“To get a run early like that changes everything. It relaxes everything,” Hartman said.

That lead held up all day thanks to the shutout by Logan Hartman, who is a freshman. She finished with seven strikeouts and allowed just four hits.

Frazier doubled their onerun lead in the third thanks to its second middle-of-thelineup rally of the game. With two outs, Kayla Matway walked and Curcio was hit by a pitch.

Lauren Mastowski then smoked a ball up the middle. South Side Beaver second baseman Regan Hozak stopped it with a dive and flipped to shortstop Hunter Hand covering at second base, but the ball trickled off the sliding Curcio, allowing Matway to round third and score Frazier’s second run.

Top-seeded South Side Beaver’s (17-3) biggest rally came in the sixth, when Hozak doubled to center with one out. After an infield pop-out, Sydney Payne reached and moved Hozak to third via an infield single. Payne, representing the tying run, moved into scoring position by swiping second base. But Hartman got Hand to ground out to third, ending the threat.

“I actually like to be in that spot,” Logan Hartman said with a smile. “I love the pressure and was happy to get the ground-ball out.”

The championship hardware Frazier secured with the win cements what has been an “absolutely amazing season,” Don Hartman said.

“This is a special group,” he said. “They took it to the next level.”