The Miners softball program is hoping to build upon the momentum from last season, when the team more than doubled its win total from the 2024 season.
Park City had 27 girls come out for their teams this spring, a strong turnout for a 4A Region 10 team, and filled out its coaching staff in the offseason.
The Miners’ season got off to a rough start Wednesday afternoon, however, falling to American Leadership Academy 20-4 on the road.
Park City scored the game’s first three runs in the first inning, before ALA answered with 11 of their own in the bottom half of the first. The Miners went scoreless in the second, with ALA tacking on three more runs. Park City scored one run in the top of the third, before ALA scored six runs in the bottom of the third to end the game via a 15-run lead through three innings mercy rule.
Angelina Smilowitz and Ellie Burnett recorded the Miners two hits Wednesday. Gentry Anderson also batted in a run. Anderson pitched over two innings for Park City, recording three strikeouts. Fionnuala Quinlivan also saw some time on the mound for the Miners.
“Having a younger team, first-game jitters and pace were a challenge for us,” said head coach Ashley Manusos. “We were a little conservative at the plate and on the bases, and ALA wasn’t; they attacked everything. Add a few walks into the mix, and the game gets out of hand.”
Manusos believes her team can up their intensity, clean up their play and come out swinging in game two. The Miners will hit the road again to take on regional foe Cottonwood at 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Park City is hoping to play their home opener next Friday at 3:30 p.m. against Cottonwood. The Miners are at the mercy of the weather, with their dirt field needing to be cleared of snow and prepared for practice and game play. Park City was supposed to begin this season on a new turf field, which will likely only be available toward the very end of the regular season. The Miners have been practicing indoors at Park City High.
“They are good kids,” Manusos said about her team. “They’ll adjust. … We will get there.”
Manusos expects a reworked Region 10 to be a little bit easier for her team.
Park City has a more experienced team than in the past few years, many of whom played club softball or worked with private coaches in the offseason. Manusos believes Smilowitz, Brooklyn Berry, Evelyn Riley and Erica Levy will star for the Miners this spring.
Manusos credited strong participation in high school softball this season to strong word of mouth from past season’s players. She believes the woman-led coaching staff creates a fun and hardworking atmosphere.
“It’s super important that we build something similar to lacrosse, soccer and all the things that kids look forward to and work hard to be a part of,” Manusos said. “And I think that it’s definitely looking that way for us. So, I’m super excited in the next couple of years to not only see the kids and newcomers that we have grown, but also the kids that are in middle school that come out after playing more competitive softball.”