DuBois Central Catholic’s Rylee Kulbatsky Named Pitcher of the Year in Class A by Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association

DuBOIS, Pa. (EYT/D9) — With a dizzying array of pitches, command of all of them, and a good, old fashioned blazing fastball, Rylee Kulbatsky vexed opposing hitters all season.

The dominance of the sophomore pitcher on the DuBois Central Catholic softball team was a big reason why the Cardinals blitzed through the regular season, stormed through the playoffs and ultimately won the PIAA Class A championship over Carmichaels.

On Friday, Kulbatsky was named Pitcher of the Year by the Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association in Class A.

“It means so much to me,” Kulbatsky said. “I’m so grateful to be named pitcher of the year. This season and this state championship means so much to my team, and we worked so hard all year round. I’m just so proud of each and every one of my teammates for that accomplishment.

Kulbatsky finished the season with a 0.61 ERA. In 126 innings, she gave up just 50 hits, struck out 255 and walked just 24. Opponents hit a feeble .116 against her.

DCC (23-2) never gave up more than two runs in a game on the way to the state title.

Kulbatsky’s teammate, Kayley Risser, also was a first-team selection after batting .466 with four home runs, six doubles, four triples and 32 RBIs in just 73 at-bats.

Risser posted a gaudy OPS of 1.201.

Jessy Frank, Lauren Davidson and Melia Mitskavich were named to the second team for the Cardinals.

Elk County Catholic’s Lucy Klawuhn earned a first-team honor in Class A and her teammate, Emily Mourer, received a second-team nod.

Redbank Valley sophomore Quinn White landed on the second team in Class A.

In Class 4A, Franklin senior Rilee Hanna landed on the first team after an exceptional season in which she batted .547 with seven doubles, three triples, 20 RBIs and 27 runs scored for the Knights.

She was joined on the first team in Class 4A by Clearfield’s Ruby Singleton.

In Class 5A, DuBois had a pair of first-team selections in Morgan Paternak and Ava Baronak.

Following is a list of area players who were named to the all-state team:

CLASS A
FIRST TEAM
Rylee Kulbatsky
Kayley Risser (DCC)
Lucy Klawuhn (ECC)
SECOND TEAM
Jessy Frank (DCC)
Lauren Davidson (DCC)
Melia Mitskavich (DCC)
Emily Mourer (ECC)
Quinn White (Redbank Valley)

CLASS 2A
SECOND TEAM
Addison Siple (Curwensville)
Natalie Dunworth (Johnsonburg)

CLASS 4A
FIRST TEAM
Rilee Hanna (Franklin)
Ruby Singleton (Clearfield)
SECOND TEAM
Avery Eckles (St. Marys)
Guliana Muccio (St. Marys)

CLASS 5A
FIRST TEAM
Morgan Pasternak (DuBois)
Ava Baronak (DuBois)
SECOND TEAM
Haley Reed (DuBois)