Carnegie native Bella DeMark is in the midst of a solid senior season for the Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets women’s softball team.
DeMark, who played softball for Bishop Canevin in high school, has driven in 12 runs in 67 at-bats and has scored 14 runs in her final go-round. She ranks sixth on the team with five doubles and has started 22 of the 28 games she’s appeared in thus far, playing mostly in right field.
Waynesburg has put together a 25-11 overall mark and a 13-7 record in Presidents Athletic Conference play after splitting a doubleheader Tuesday with visiting Saint Vincent. The Yellow Jackets currently occupy the fourth and final playoff spot with four games remaining.
DeMark said earlier this month that she was pleased with how the season was progressing.
“This year has been really starting off strong for me,” she said. “I put in the work and it has showed in my playing time. And as a team I think we are starting to finally click as one.”
DeMark’s top effort so far on the season came on March 5 when she went 4 for 5, scored three runs and drove in five.
DeMark said the team’s spring training trip to Myrtle Beach helped the players come together as a team.
“I think that we are a team who is there to pick one another up no matter who is on the field,” she said. “While we have had a few losses I think we have put in the work at practice as individuals and a team to come together to get these next few wins.
“As a senior I am excited and looking forward to finishing my softball career with this team.”
At Bishop Canevin, DeMark did more than just play softball; she lettered three times, played volleyball and was an all-section honoree.
“Softball was always my first sport, while volleyball was a fun side activity to do during the off-season,” DeMark said last summer.
DeMark played shortstop and wore No. 1 when in high school. Despite being left-handed, a downside for most shortstops, her coach knew that she was up for the challenge.
DeMark said that before she started at Bishop Canevin, she was told that she would be playing the outfield. But that changed after the first few practices, when DeMark moved to first base. That’s where she played her first two seasons for the Crusaders. Then, during her final two years, she transitioned to shortstop.
In her junior season, DeMark batted over .600, had 14 doubles and smacked two home runs. The Crusaders ended that season 7-7.
In her senior year, the team did not do as well, but despite the team’s struggle, DeMark was better than ever. She was chosen as the shortstop on the Class A first team for the PIAA all-state softball team.
“I was surprised to learn about making the All-State team,” DeMark said. “My high school coach nominated me in my senior year. I was happy to be recognized for all of my hard work and accomplishments in high school.”
DeMark committed to Waynesburg in July 2022 to play softball for Yellow Jackets Division III program. Since then, she has played outfield and first base, again wearing uniform No. 1, as she did at Bishop Canevin.
Her number has not changed, but going from shortstop to the outfield is a big change.
“Going to Waynesburg, I knew that I wanted to go back to the outfield,” DeMark said. “I made that clear when being recruited.”
In her freshman year, DeMark started 14 games and appeared in 18. In 50 at-bats she collected 16 hits and scored nine runs. While her batting average went down, her stats otherwise continued to rise from there.
DeMark said at the start of her freshman year, she felt pressure to impress the coaches and upperclassmen.
“In the middle of the spring season, I went into a slump and wasn’t in the lineup for a while,” she said. “I started to put in the extra work after practices, and my coaches noticed. At the end of the season, I worked my way into playing right field and hitting in the top of the lineup.”
Without playing as much in the middle of the season, it would have been difficult for DeMark to improve her batting average, but she held her own.
“I was enjoying my experience rather than stressing out and putting too much pressure on myself,” DeMark said.
During her junior season, DeMark earned her highest collegiate batting average of .326. She started 27 games and appeared in 33. She finished with 29 hits and scored 15 runs while driving in 18, good for fourth on the team.
For her efforts, DeMark received All-PAC Honorable Mention status as a designated player.
Her contributions helped the Yellow Jackets to an overall winning season, going 23-16. In conference, they finished 9-11.
“This past season did not end the way that we wanted it to end,” DeMark said. “We started off the season strong, then things fell apart for a while.”
Still, DeMark said it was a good experience overall.
“The team aspect of the past season was something special,” DeMark added. “I loved being a part of a tight family team.”
Last summer, DeMark worked at a summer camp for children with disabilities and special needs, as well as a local ice cream shop in Carnegie. Through the softball camps at Waynesburg, DeMark has recognized her love for coaching, leaning into her goals to play or coach softball at a non-serious level after graduation.
Going into her senior season, the shortstop-turned-outfielder had several things she wanted to accomplish.
“My goals to achieve next year are to go to the PAC playoffs and continue to regionals,” DeMark said last summer. “I hope to keep a high batting average to help my team out. I would like to make the All-Conference Team and Academic All-District Team again.”
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