Where are they now?
// Catching up with former area high school athletes
Saint Francis senior among nation’s leaders in softball
Mekenzie Saban is having a super senior season with the Saint Francis softball team. In the latest NCAA Division I statistics for the country, Saban, a senior and North Hills graduate, was second in doubles, 24th in runs per game and 27th in batting average. For the season, she is hitting .444 in 37 games, with 16 doubles, 1 triple, 24 RBIs, 40 runs scored and 16 stolen bases. Her on-base percentage is .510. Saint Francis entered the week with a 29-8 record.
Youngstown State women’s golfers capture title behind pair from WPIAL
The Youngstown State women’s golf team won the Horizon League championship and two former WPIAL players helped the Penguins to the title. North Allegheny’s Christina Lewis finished 21st at the league championship with a three-day score of 234. Uniontown’s Danae Rugala, also a sophomore, finished 24th with a score of 236. Rugala was Horizon golfer of the week earlier this season. Youngstown State will compete in the NCAA regionals May 10-12 at Ohio State.
Deer Lakes grad two-way standout for California baseball team
Jacob McCaskey has turned into a two-way standout for California University (Pa.). McCaskey, a junior from Deer Lakes, is among the top 40 in the country in NCAA Division II RBIs with 47. In 36 games, McCaskey, an infielder, is hitting .355 with 8 doubles and 9 home runs. But he also has turned into a pitcher. He entered this week with a 1-1 record and a 1.56 ERA. He had pitched four games (three starts) and struck out 23 in 16 innings. California was 22-14.