INDIANS NEWS · MAY 29

On Friday night, the WPIAL welcomed its newest group of inductees into its Hall of Fame. A wide range of impressive achievements and contributions were recognized, and a part of the North Hills family was featured in the ceremony.

The 1980 North Hills softball team is officially in the Hall of Fame as a part of the WPIAL’s 2021 class. Coach Denny Papalia accepted the award and was joined at the event by several members of the championship team. The team was recognized for its dominant season that ended with a state title.

The 1980 Indians were the first members of the WPIAL to even reach the PIAA state championship game, let alone win it. They did so as a complete team that boasted immense talent in all facets of the game. The team went 25-1, featured nine players that batted .300 or better,  and were led defensively by pitcher Leigh Curl, who posted a 14-0 record with a 0.34 ERA. Other key players included Melanie Lees (.369 average), Mary Maloney (.338), and Linda Massucci (.344, 10-0 record and 1.97 ERA as a pitcher).

Once in the playoffs, North Hills showed no signs of slowing down. The Indians cruised through the WPIAL tournament, outscoring their opponents 23-6, before allowing only three runs in the PIAA tournament. In the final, Curl allowed only two hits and one run in a 2-1 victory over North Penn.

Curl was named the Post-Gazette Softball Player of the Year in 1980 and went on to be a 1,000-point scorer for the UConn women’s basketball team. Lees went on to play basketball at Kansas State, Maloney played basketball at St. Bonaventure, and Massucci played volleyball and softball at Clarion. Also going on to play softball at Clarion was standout center fielder Rhonda Caye.

Congratulations to the 1980 North Hills softball team on its induction into the WPIAL Hall of Fame!