JASON MESKO
SCHOOL: Allderdice.

WHO IS HE? A 6-foot, 185-pound senior shortstop-pitcher on the Allderdice baseball team and a four-year starter in two sports.

SEASON: Mesko finished the regular season as the third-leading hitter in Southwestern Pennsylvania with a .639 average (39 for 61). He had 6 home runs, 36 RBIs and 22 runs scored for Allderdice (11-6), which will play in the City League playoffs today against Peabody. Mesko also is 4-2 as a pitcher with 45 strikeouts in 34 innings.

THE OTHER SPORT: Mesko also was a four-year starter in football. He became the No. 1 quarterback in the third game of his freshman year. "I like baseball the best, though," he said.

.500 BALL: In his four-year career, Mesko has hit above .500 every season. He also has 20 career home runs.

LIKE BONDS? Teams are starting to treat Mesko like Barry Bonds. In a recent game, Brashear intentionally walked Mesko four times.

OH, BROTHER: Chris Mesko, a junior and Jason's brother, is Allderdice's starting catcher. His oldest brother, Mike, played for Allderdice a few years ago. Greg Mesko, an eighth-grader, also plays baseball and will be at Allderdice next year. Jason hopes to play baseball in college, but is undecided on a school.

-- By Mike White

JESSICA DIGNON
SCHOOL: Baldwin.

WHO IS SHE?: A senior and one of the best shortstops in WPIAL softball.

SEASON: A right-handed batter, Dignon is hitting .574 (27 for 47) with 8 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs and 16 RBIs. She has made only one error.

CAREER: Dignon was a part-time starter as a freshman and has been a full-timer since. She played first base, shortstop and catcher as a sophomore, and since has been a shortstop.

IN-VINCE-ABLE: Baldwin coach Vince Sortino had a quick and unequivocal response when asked whether Dignon was among the premier infielders in the district. "She's the top player, period," he said. "I've seen them all and there's no doubt in my mind. I might be very biased, but I'm also very honest."

HIT PERFORMER: It's almost impossible to get the ball past Dignon. Baldwin's No. 3 batter has not struck out in the past two seasons, covering 118 at-bats.

HOOP-LA: Dignon entered high school determined to succeed at basketball. "I wasn't going to play softball in high school," she said. But as a freshman, Dignon decided to go out for softball, and she then committed to that sport.

FUTURE: A Pitt stop is ahead for Dignon. She signed a letter-of-intent with the Panthers last month.

-- By Rick Shrum