Russell Kovach - C. Milton Wright Softball

Russell Kovach, who has coached C. Milton Wright softball to four regional championships in eight seasons, is the County Sports Zone/Buffalo Wild Wings Coach of the Month for March.

Coach Kovach, a lifelong baseball fan, was raised in Joppatowne. He was first approached to help with the softball program in his second year of teaching at C. Milton Wright.

"I immediately fell in love with the sport. It's such a cool game, it's more like old time baseball with a lot of bunting, base stealing and small ball," Coach Kovach said. "It's so much fun, and I haven't left it since."

In Coach Kovach, the Mustangs have a leader who wants to make sure his team is having fun, but taking the sport seriously as well. This results in an atmosphere in which players are encouraged to laugh, but also want to win.

"He pushes us to the limit during practices, but also makes it fun and an enjoyable process for all of us," senior right fielder Quinn Ursprung said.

Coach Kovach teaches AP biology and engineering courses. For his players who have had him as a teacher, there isn't any difference in his demeanor in the classroom and on the ballfield.

"He's the same exact way in both environments. He wants his students to do the best they can, just like he does with us with softball," senior catcher Danielle Deagostino said.

The Mustangs have thrived under Coach Kovach's tutelage, becoming one of the more consistent powers in the state during his tenure. Last year was one of the banner seasons for the Harford County School as the team finished 22-4, and was MPSSAA 3A state finalists.

"Last season was a new experience because we had never gotten that far," senior pitcher Morghan Fulton said. "This year we are looking to have our new players get familiar with taking that far of a run so that when we leave, they can continue that legacy."

The Mustangs lost 10 seniors from last year's team, making this group much younger, but their season has started brightly with victories over Westminster, Century and Harford Tech.

Team leaders are confident that C. Milton Wright's new players will step up to get the team back to where it was last season.

"We want to get everybody on the same page, talking together and knowing where to be," senior left fielder Megan Kuhn said. "We just want to unite as a team more, and then we'll be set."

While Coach Kovach does care about the results his team's results on the diamond, his main concern is the way the team carries itself. Winning is great, but it's not worth much if the team isn't displaying good sportsmanship at all times.

"Our coaches try to emphasize that we are representing something more than just us. We're here to represent C. Milton Wright, Harford County Public Schools and our league, the UCBAC. We hope the girls take that to heart, and it's certainly what our program is built on," Coach Kovach said. "Win or lose, we are going to represent our school and county as best as we can."

For being named County Sports Zone/Buffalo Wild Wings Coach of the Month, Coach Kovach received a gift certificate, a box of sauces and a hat from Buffalo Wild Wings, as well as a County Sports Zone Under Armour t-shirt.

If you'd like to make a nomination for next month's County Sports Zone/Buffalo Wild Wings Coach of The Month, click here.

Congratulations to Coach Kovach!