Last week: A senior right-handed pitcher for the Indians' softball team, Ianno has been dominant all year, winning her first eight games and pushing the Indians to an 8-0 mark. Last week, the Slippery Rock recruit shut out Pine-Richland, Upper St. Clair, Trinity and Canon-McMillan.

Check this out: In four games last week, Ianno struck out a combined 58 batters, including nine in a perfect game against Upper St. Clair and 20 in a 4-0 win against Canon-McMillan. She has 110 strikeouts in her first eight games.

• Did you think you would mow hitters down this year the way you have been? Not really. But, to me, our team success is the most important thing.

• Some softball pitchers are now wearing protective masks. Do you wear one? No. I think that if you are afraid to get hit, it is OK to wear one. But, luckily, I have always been able to protect myself.

• The pitching rubber is set at 40 feet in high school. Should it be moved back? It is 43 feet in the summer [for travel softball]. It would be a win-win if it was moved back to 43 feet because it gives the batter more of a chance and then it also helps pitchers because their off-speed pitches can break more. So, yes, it could be moved back.

• Does it ever get boring striking virtually everyone out? Not for me [laughs]. It is always entertaining for me, but I think some of the fielders behind me can get a little bored. To me, every batter is a challenge, and that is how I look at it.

-- By Colin Dunlap

The past week: Cutlip had a big game in the Beaver baseball team's 10-0 victory against previously unbeaten Center Monday. He pitched a three-hitter and struck out 10, hit a two-run homer and a run-scoring single.

Check this out: Cutlip, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior, was a four-year starter at running back/quarterback/defensive back in football. He also has been a four-year starter in baseball and has helped Beaver to a 4-1 record this spring. He has signed with IUP to play football.

• How good is this Beaver baseball team? We should go further than last year. We're as good or better than last year. We lost in the first round of the [WPIAL] playoffs last year.

• What feels better, a touchdown or a home run? I'd probably say a touchdown because there is more of a crowd in football. You get to celebrate more with your teammates.

• Will you go to any Pirates games this year? Yeah. I'd say anywhere from two to five.

• Who does Manny Cutlip look up to? My older brother [Shane]. He's in the Air Force and right now he's in Iraq.

• People might be surprised to know that ... I went on a cruise to the Caribbean last year. That's the only thing I can think of for this question.

-- By Mike White