Stacy Eppinger is a Penn Hills graduate and a current resident of the municipality. It was a dream come true for her to come back and coach the softball team at her alma mater.

It was a dream come true for her to come back and coach the softball team at her alma mater.

But after four seasons leading the Lady Indians, Eppinger is calling it quits.

She submitted her resignation to Penn Hills athletic director John Peterman last week.

Eppinger, who also coached six years previously at Oakland Catholic, said she wants to spend more time with her family.

"It's very disheartening to have to give it up," she said. "I'm doing it because of family responsibilities. I have a 4-year-old and a 7-year-old, and with a full-time job and trying to rush to practices and games, my time is too limited.

"Maybe, as my kids get older, I'll get back to coaching. But as of right now, it's pretty much a permanent decision."

Eppinger had hoped to guide the Lady Indians to their third consecutive WPIAL playoff berth, but Penn Hills fell short of the post-season in 2008.

The Lady Indians finished fifth in Section 2-AAAA with a record of 7-8. Penn Hills was 7-9 overall.

Penn Hills looked like a sure bet for the playoffs after reeling off three straight wins April 22-24 against Plum, Woodland Hills and Gateway. Those victories improved the Lady Indians' section record at the time to 6-5.

"Midway through the season, we were playing the best ball we've played in my four years here," Eppinger said. "Then, we lost a couple of one-run games that could have gone either way, and that kind of set the tone for the rest of the season."

Those two one-run losses were to section champ Kiski Area on April 29 and 30. Penn Hills still had a chance to make the playoffs, but a 15-inning, 7-4 loss to McKeesport on May 1 eliminated the Lady Indians from contention.

The situation was even more difficult for Eppinger because her father, David Eppinger, passed away during that time, and she had to miss several games.

Penn Hills ended a disappointing season on a high note, pounding Woodland Hills, 18-3, in the season finale May 6.

"To win and win with authority was a good way to finish off the season," Stacy Eppinger said.

Penn Hills loses three four-year starters to graduation: catcher Sarah Sevcik, second baseman Kara Bozick and center fielder Anna Truckley.

Also graduating are Ashley DeLuca and Shekia Frazier.

Six starters return in 2009. Coming back are juniors Kelly Killian (pitcher), Olivia Sorce (shortstop) and Deanna Verrico (third base) and sophomores Jenna Plummer (first base), Julee Catania (left field) and Tina Burrows (right field).