Jackie Lash: Neshannock
In her fourth year at the helm, Jackie Lash seemed to press all the right buttons for Neshannock this year.
From scheduling a grueling gauntlet of non-section opponents to trusting a freshman to take the reins as the Lancers’ No. 1 pitcher, all of Lash’s moves paid off as Neshannock finished 26-0 and became only the sixth team to win WPIAL and PIAA softball titles with an undefeated record.
The Lancers defeated section rival and three-time defending WPIAL champion Laurel on all four occasions, including a pair of thrilling walk-off victories and a 13-6 comeback win in the PIAA semifinals. They also took on a pair of top-five Class 5A foes in the final week of the regular season and won both games via mercy rule, beating eventual WPIAL champion and PIAA finalist Armstrong, 14-4, on May 10, before taking down West Allegheny a day later, 111.
Neshannock won a rare battle of unbeatens in the WPIAL Class 2A title game vs. Frazier, 9-1, then continued its quest for perfection through the state playoffs. The Lancers’ unforgettable season culminated in a 4-1 win vs. Conwell-Egan at Penn State’s Beard Field in the PIAA Class 2A championship game, bringing the school its first state title in 10 years and second overall.
With only one senior graduating and 17 of 18 players on the roster coming back, Neshannock could be just as strong in 2023. The Lancers will carry a 26-game winning streak into next spring, 20 wins away from matching Hempfield (2016-18) for the WPIAL’s longest winning streak since 2000.
For her part in leading Neshannock to a historic perfect season, Lash is the PostGazette Softball Coach of the Year.
Q: Have you taken the time to sit back and reflect on what your team accomplished this year?
A: Well, I feel like I haven’t even had a chance to sit and look at pictures. I have a pretty busy life. My husband and I left the next morning for an ATV trip in West Virginia, so we were gone for a few days. I think it gave me time to just kind of think about all the great things that happened. We’re kind of looking forward to the fact that we have just about everybody back next year, and we gain some great freshmen as well.
Q: Were you the one driving your own ATV?
A: Oh gosh, no. Passenger only. I trust my husband [Kit] to drive.
Q: Was that your first time going on a trip like that?
A: That was my first time going somewhere away. One day we rode like 125 miles. It was about a 10½ hour day. Just kind of made me think, “I’m not sure I could do this every day.”
Q: What will you remember most about this season?
A: I really think just being able to share this season with such a great crew. When I say that I mean all of the players. Really just a great group of kids with good attitudes and great work ethic, as we’ve seen. Then also thinking about the fact that I had a really good staff to be able to share this with.
Q: What game or moment sticks out to you the most?
A: Well, I think the most unforgettable one is out at Armstrong. Just being able to see [center fielder] Neleh Nogay and her complete athleticism — fielding a ball from the right-center side and being able to catch a ball over by the shortstop and third-base area. To me, the best games our girls played were against Armstrong and the next day against West Allegheny. It was really exciting to see us play against what most would consider above our level of competition, and just play lights-out. Phenomenal.
Q: You have 52 wins in three seasons as head coach so far. Do you plan on sticking around long enough to join Neshannock girls basketball coach Luann Grybowski in the 700-win club?
A: [Laughs] I think I’m too old for that. I’d have to be coaching for many years to accomplish that. I truly enjoy the sport. I enjoy the players, and really I just think that at this point, nobody besides coach Kimmell has done this much work for the Neshannock softball program. I’ve got 17 years of building different aspects of the program, so I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. We’ll see how long we can hang in there and keep working hard, and win or lose a game, still love the game and love the players. And I like working for our school district. Neshannock is a great place to work.