Southeastern Pa. softball notes

Joe Cipolloni was an assistant to softball coach Bob Keating at Nazareth Academy last season but now is quickly learning all the little things a head coach does.

Cipolloni, whose daughters Erica and Giannina play for the University of Virginia, had to step in for coach Bob Keating, who suffered a heart attack three weeks ago.

Joe Cipolloni quickly came to appreciate the depth the Pandas have, especially at pitching. Freshmen Taylor Lichtenhahn and Brianna Perri have stepped up to fill the shoes of his daughter Erica. Erica Cipolloni shared first team pitching honors last season on The Inquirer's all-Southeastern Pennsylvania team with Central Bucks South's Fran Carrullo and was named to the all-state team.

Another freshman, Jillian Bovitt, also can pitch but right now she's more valuable as a position player, said Joe Cipolloni.

"We should be good for a lot of years," he said. "We have another freshman, Britney Colombo, at second base."

Couple them with veterans Alex Stermel, Melanie Kalesse and Alicia Keough, and the Pandas figure to be a factor in the District 1 and PIAA Class AAA races in addition to the Athletic Association of Catholic Academies.

They are 4-1 overall this season and seeking their fifth straight league title. Stermel is headed to Temple, and Kalesse plans to play for Siena. Keough will play for Pitt next season.

As for Keating, he's just planning to take it easy for another month before getting back into the swing of things as coach.

"I'm coming around," he said, noting that he had no previous heart problems. "I just came home and told my wife I didn't feel well and wanted to go to the emergency room."

Cellucci moves. While coaching at Downingtown West, Jeff Cellucci often talked about coaching some day alongside his daughter Natalie Giuseppe. She had become the coach at Twin Valley in 2007, and they had scheduled scrimmages or games against each other.

Now, Cellucci is coaching at Twin Valley in Morgantown.

"Natalie had a baby," the Raiders' new coach explained. "The position opened at Twin Valley. I applied for it and got the job."

Cellucci's new team plays in the Berks County League, which includes teams such as Governor Mifflin, Daniel Boone, and Muhlenberg. He said he had a tough time leaving Downingtown West. The Whippets are perennial contenders for the Ches-Mont League National Division crown.

"I left a pretty good team behind," Cellucci said. "We're going all right here. We're not very deep, but we do have a good pitcher and we have five sophomores starting."

Cupboard not bare. J.C. Carroll, who succeeded Cellucci as coach at Downingtown West, says a number of strong players have returned this season. Although West lost pitching ace Caroline Raymond, who graduated, Carroll has experienced hurlers in senior Casey Herring and junior Sydney Robey.

"I think Casey went 9-1 when Caroline was out with an injury last season," Carroll said. "She's a senior leader of the team."

Carroll also said the Whippets (4-0) should get offensive support from senior third baseman Kelsey McWilliams and junior shortstop Sierra Wagner.

West will get a big test Friday when it faces West Chester East at home. It will play Bishop Shanahan on Wednesday. The Vikings and Eagles should be strong contenders for the National Division title.