The Pine-Richland School Board has hired Gary Shepard as the head varsity coach for the girls softball team. Gary Is a retired school teacher from Quaker Valley and is in his 16th season of coaching softball.  He has coached in the Quaker Valley and Northgate high school programs, as well as travel ball for the Pittsburgh Power, and Steel City Select. To contact Gary, email: prsoftballcoach@gmail.com

PR Standout Brie Horrell, of Gibsonia, Pa., will play for her hometown team as she joins the Pitt Panthers in the fall of 2017. While playing for the Pine Richland Rams under head coach Gary Shepard, Horrell has been a three-year letterwinner and has primarily played outfield.

“I chose Pitt because I really liked the coaching staff and athletic program, as well as the strong academics,” said Horrell.

Outside of high school, Horrell played for the Ohio Outlaws – Premier. The team was the 2016 PGF Midwest National Champions and runner-up at the 2016 ASA Pa. State Championship.

Excelling in the classroom as well, Horrell is a three-time high honor roll recipient and was awarded the Pine-Richland High School Business Department Award. Horrell plans to pursue a degree in accounting at Pitt.