2006 Saltsburg Softball photos courtesy of Debbie Shirley and the Saltsburg High School Yearbook staff

Sometimes behind an inoffensive exterior lies the raging boldness of a giant. Saltsburg High School is like that. For example, take Saltsburg Softball. Coach Debbie Shirley is a little hard-pressed to remember the last time the Lady Trojans didn’t make playoffs. Yet perhaps there are those unaware, who, seeing Saltsburg’s serenity, might not suspect Saltsburg’s softball strengths (say that three times fast.) There’s giants there, I tell ya, giants of greatness, giants of courage, giants of commitment.

One of the giants on Shirley’s 12-1 team is a senior second baseman, who has played with the team a while. When something drastic happened in her life, she went to Debbie. The coach received a call from her around 11pm one night. The second baseman’s house had just burned down. She had to get a new uniform and a new glove, so she could play in the game the next day. This young lady’s house was gone, but the senior knew she was part of a team and wanted to take care of her part.

The next day Maria Caliguiri showed up at the game and played in another uniform and with another glove. Giants, I tell you. The Lady Trojans won the game. And the world got to see Saltsburg softball’s “dirty” little secret: giant character.

Seeded number four, Saltsburg went on to a first round bye in the playoffs, and to wrap up two unplayed regular season games. But the giants that always seem to keep on making up Saltsburg softball engraved their 12-1 record into the school’s history books. This year’s captains were three seniors: Caliguiri, outfielder Jackie Graf, and outfielder Erica Albeitz. Sophomore pitcher Kelly Muffley and freshman catcher Whitney Shearer took charge on the mound and behind the plate. Sophomore first baseman Brandi Muffie provided power at bat while freshman shortstop Emily Bowser and junior third baseman Cherish Linsenbigler covered the bases and infield. Sophomores Melanie Cribs and Carli Duncan (the leadoff batter) took care of left and center fields. Junior Miranda Baker proved to be a good flex player and batter, and Abby Sumerson and Alicia Waddell served as sophomore utility players.

Like many other Alle-Kiski-region teams, the Lady Trojans had the heart of a giant.

2006 Saltsburg Softball Seniors

Carli Duncan

Cherish Linsenbigler

Kelly Muffley

Whitney Shearer