H-S Athlete of the Week: Emmaleigh Noah, Uniontown
Submitted
Name: Emmaleigh Noah
School: Uniontown
Class: Junior
Sport: Softball
Noah’s week: The Lady Red Raiders’ starting pitcher earned three victories in the circle and hit three home runs, as Uniontown defeated Section 4-2A and cross-town rival Laurel Highlands, before earning a pair of victories over Belle Vernon in section play.
Noah had an RBI in the Lady Red Raiders’ 2-1 victory over the Fillies on Monday. In the circle, she allowed one unearned run on two hits over seven innings with nine strikeouts and two walks.
The junior hit a solo home run in a 10-5 victory over the Lady Leopards on Tuesday. Uniontown suffered a 4-2 setback to Elizabeth Forward on Wednesday, but Noah had two hits, including a home run.
In the second game against Belle Vernon in less than 48 hours and the fourth of the week, Noah hit the game-tying home run with a blast to left field in the bottom of the seventh inning at Bailey Park with the Lady Red Raiders trailing, 5-3. Uniontown earned a 6-5 win in walk-off style after Noah tied the game.
“I am used to throwing a lot of pitches, and I think I was close to 400 last week,” Noah said. “We have had multiple games in a week, but I can’t remember four in a row like that. I have gotten used to it, as I have been the starting pitcher for the team since my freshman year.”
Noah had a feeling the Lady Leopards were attempting to walk her in Thursday’s game, but was able to get a pitch she liked, and sent it over the left-field fence.
“She missed her spot and went inside on the pitch I hit,” Noah said. “That is the nice thing about playing at home. You are able to have the last at-bat.”
The next step: Uniontown is in a battle for one of the four playoffs spots out of Section 2-4A, and has a shot to finish third in the section. The Lady Red Raiders are eager to have their program take the next step.
“I am really excited for this year, and I think we can really do something and make it past the first round of the playoffs,” Noah said. “We have really grown since my freshman year.”
The next level: Noah is weighing her options in regards to playing softball in college, but she has been honing her skills for her travel ball team, the Ohio Outlaws – Vogan 16U.
“I have been to softball camps and I would like to play at the collegiate level,” Noah said. “You get a lot of recognition that comes with playing travel ball. We had a tournament in New Jersey, and there were 75 college coaches there.”