Freeport star ‘home-schooled’
Tri-State Sports & News Service
There’s a field of dreams at the home of Freeport standout Ally DeJidas, complete with a batting cage, soft toss setup and more. But it flips the script of the classic movie “Field of Dreams” in which players came after the field was built. At the DeJidas home, it was put together after Ally came around.
Ally DeJidas is a do-everything junior who is about as likely to bash a home run as she is to toss a no-hitter. Her father, Ron, is a 1993 Freeport graduate and is the football team’s all-time leading rusher. He has gone from knocking over defenders to building up a complex, including a full-size batting cage in the garage and outdoor stations, where Ally sharpens her considerable skills.
“Probably about when she was 10, 11 years old she started asking to do it more and more and more,” said Ron DeJidas. “So, I said let’s do this. Let’s give you the opportunity to do what you want to do.
“Without a doubt, it’s a lot of father-daughter time. I get to do something I loved to do when I was younger and share it with her. She makes me very proud.”
Ally certainly appreciates the effort and the time she gets to spend with her dad, who is also an assistant coach for the Freeport softball team.
“It’s awesome,” Ally said. “Me and my dad are out there all the time doing something.”
And just like dad, Ally is turning into a star at Freeport.
DeJidas is batting .679 (19 for 28) with 5 homers, 2 triples, 4 doubles and 21 RBIs. On April 23 against East Allegheny, she stepped into the pitcher’s circle for the first time in three years and fired a five-inning no-hitter.
Freeport was 9-0 overall and 7-0 in Class 3A Section 1 through Monday. With the playoffs looming, coaches wanted to add a left-hander into the rotation and DeJidas, who also plays center field and first base, was more than willing to pitch in and probably has more innings in her future.
“I had given it up to focus on hitting, but I enjoyed coming back to pitch,” said DeJidas. “Anything to help the team. I just like coming out and playing softball. As long as I’m playing, I’m having fun.”
Baldwin
The Highlanders went on a two-day tear April 27-28 by outscoring the opposition by a combined 41-0. They beat Brashear in a double-header by scores of 21-0 and 15-0, then downed Class 6A Section 1-rival Upper St. Clair, 50, the next day.
After stumbling to a 1-2 start, Baldwin won seven in a row thanks to a lineup that boasts four players batting above .500.
Sophomore Salena Jaquay leads the charge with an average of .656 from the No. 2 spot in the lineup. Behind her is Taylor Dadig (.586), Cassie Carlson (.576) and Carly Santillo (.520).
Dadig is a senior and George Mason recruit with 4 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs and 17 RBIs. She has not struck out this year.
Santillo is a senior catcher and Pitt-Johnstown recruit. Carlson is a sophomore second baseman who has verbally committed to Youngstown State, said Baldwin coach Vince Sortino.
“They are all really good athletes and they’re playing well right now,” said Sortino. “We’ve rebounded since that last loss.”
Baldwin played in the WPIAL semifinals last season and advanced to the championship game in 2016.
Derry Area
Slugger Chelsea Bisi had just hit one of the hardest balls coach Pat Meloy had ever seen. As it traveled out of the park, he looked back toward home plate and was shocked at what he saw.
Bisi, a Penn State recruit and holder of multiple Derry records, was in a heap at home plate after injuring her knee during her swing. What happened next was perhaps even more unimaginable.
“She was able to walk the bases after a few minutes on the ground, even though myself, the umpire, and opposing coach were all on board with her not, she still did it to no surprise,” Meloy said. “Her mentality is second to none.”
The fluke injury ended Bisi’s season and the best offensive softball career in Derry history. Bisi owns six school records, including career hits (101), batting average (.656), runs (71), RBIs (67), doubles (33) and home runs (10). She also ripped three triples and struck out just twice.
Meloy said he expects Bisi to completely recover from the MCL injury in her right knee.
“Her contributions to the program have been astounding,” said Meloy. “She deserves to be remembered for her numbers, her leadership, and her mindset of excellence. The injury was just an unfortunate ending, but thankfully she will be good to go when it comes to her next chapter in the game and that to me, as a coach, makes me happy.”