CHRIS BEATTY

SCHOOL: Hampton

WHO IS HE? A 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior catcher who is having a big season hitting for the Talbots' baseball team.

RECENTLY: Beatty was 1 for 3 against New Castle Monday. A few games ago against Pine-Richland, he was 3 for 5 against with a home run, two doubles and six RBIs.

LEADER OF THE PACK: In the most recent statistics, Beatty was leading the WPIAL in home runs and RBIs and was among the top 10 in average.

For the season, he is hitting .549 (28 for 51). He has eight home runs and 28 RBIs and has helped Hampton become one of the top teams in WPIAL Class AAA Section 1. His slugging percentage is 1.137.

CENTURY CLUB: Beatty is closing in on an impressive accomplishment. He needs three RBIs for 100 in his career. A year ago, he tied for second in the WPIAL with 36. "It's one of my goals this year to lead the WPIAL in RBIs," Beatty said. "Our last game last year still sticks in my mind. I left the bases loaded twice against Mars. I would've won [the RBI title] with a hit. The wind was blowing in that day, though. I got hold of one pitch, and it was caught on the warning track."

ROUND-TRIPPERS: Beatty also has 18 career home runs. "I have no strikeouts this year, either," Beatty said. "I'm just sitting back and waiting for good pitches."

THE FUTURE: Beatty has not decided on a college. Xavier and Marietta are showing interest. Marietta is a strong NCAA Division III program.

-- By Mike White

AND BRITTANY BERKOPEC

SCHOOL: Mars.

WHO ARE THEY? Sisters and offensive leaders of the girls' softball team, the Section 5-AAA champion.

PAST WEEK: Brittany, a freshman left fielder, launched a two-run home run in the sixth inning Wednesday to break a scoreless tie and lead the Planets to a 2-1 victory at Valley. That was their 13th consecutive triumph.

She and Gabrielle, a senior catcher, helped Mars defeat Indiana, 5-0, Monday to secure the Section 5-AAA crown. Right-handed hitters, they each went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

The Planets were 13-2 overall, 9-0 in section before their game yesterday against Knoch. Through Wednesday, Mars had allowed only two runs in its previous eight games.

SEASON: They aren't twins, but the Berkopecs have compiled statistics that aren't far from being identical. Gabrielle, Mars' No. 3 batter, is hitting .449 (22 for 49) with 9 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run (a grand slam), 12 RBIs and a .574 on-base percentage. Brittany, who leads off, is hitting .408 (20 for 49) with 8 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 11 RBIs and a .589 on-base percentage.

CAREER: Gabriel has started for four seasons, the first two at third base, the past two at catcher. Brittany has been a starter since the season opener.

TEAMMATES, FINALLY: Because of the age difference, the Berkopecs hadn't been teammates before. "There are more ups and downs," Brittany said. "The down side is she can be tough on me. But, if something negative happens, she's there to boost me back up."

FUTURE: Gabrielle recently committed to Denison University, an NCAA Division III softball program.

-- By Rick Shrum