A look at the college and high school softball players of the week

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER

In case you didn't see today's print edition of The Morning Call, here's a look at Moravian College's Jenn Dalickas and Liberty's Mariah Kondravy:

COLLEGE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

JENN DALICKAS, MORAVIAN

Jenn Dalickas can’t believe she’s a few weeks away from completing her junior softball season at Moravian College.

“Time is really flying,” the Brandywine Heights grad and Mertztown native said.

So is the ball off her bat.

Dalickas was named the Landmark Conference and Corvais ECAC Division III South player of the week after hitting .692 with nine hits in 13 at-bats during a 6-0 week for the Greyhounds.

She had four extra-base hits including three homers to give her a 1.462 slugging percentage and added 13 RBIs and nine runs scored. On the season, she’s hitting .538 with 20 runs scored, 25 RBIs, and five home runs among her 10 extra-base hits. She has also had just one error among her 98 chances at first base.

“I’ve come a long way since freshman year and worked a lot on inside and outside pitches,” she said. “I’ve been seeing the ball extremely well lately, and I’m glad I have been able to help out my team.”

Dalickas was a successful player at Brandywine, but said it’s a lot different in college.

“There’s no free time to goof off or do homework,” she said. “There’s a lot more time management involved and a lot more on you. Playing softball takes a lot more of a commitment. It takes a while to adjust. But you have just to get comfortable, go with it and have a good time.”

HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

MARIAH KONDRAVY, LIBERTY

After earning Morning Call offensive player of the year accolades the past two seasons, Liberty’s senior slugger Mariah Kondravy said she hopes to end her high school career with a bang.

Seems like that’s not going to be a problem.

In a 15-6 loss to Parkland on Wednesday, Kondravy slugged three home runs. She also homered in the team’s 2-1 season-opening win over Bethlehem Catholic on March 27.

“I’m looking forward to the rest of the season,” she said, noting that Liberty had 18 regular-season games still to play as of Thursday. “It’s going to be very exciting, and stressful, too.”

Stress is exactly what Kondravy puts on opposing pitchers with her smooth, left-handed stroke. Even pitches in a good location have a chance to leave the park.

“I have been lifting a lot of weights to get ready for college,” she said. “I have been working hard.”

“The one home run she hit [against Parkland] I don’t think she even got all of it,” Hurricanes coach Rich Giering said. “She has amazing power and bat speed. She’s in great shape. People don’t realize how strong she is.”

Giering said he’s going to hate to see her leave, but knows that the University of Delaware is going to be happy with her as well as Liberty shortstop Alyshia Dellatore.

“They’re great kids,” he said. “I’m glad we have them the rest of this year.”