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GAME SUMMARIES

SENECA VALLEY POUNDS LADY TIGERS, 11-0

By Coach Rick Meister

The undefeated Seneca Valley Raiders maintained their perfect record in a dominating win over North Allegheny at Seneca Valley on Saturday by a score of 11-0 in a five-inning game.  North Allegheny could muster only two hits, both in the second inning.  For the Tigers, sophomore center fielder Jane Miner led off the second with a single.  Junior first baseman Katie Polley then lined a double to deep center field to give the Tigers a second and third, no one out opportunity.  However, Seneca Valley pitcher Lauren Pennell struck out NA’s senior second baseman Lauren Vrabel, and got both sophomore third baseman Stephanie Cassidy and senior pitcher Kelly Baxter to pop out to the infield to end the Tigers’ only legitimate scoring opportunity.

The Raider offense pounded out 10 hits, highlighted by a grand slam home run by senior second baseman Jackie Mangola off Tiger starter Kelly Baxter to put NA away.  Seneca Valley third baseman Nicole Lollo also hit a two-run homerun off reliever Julie Heinl to plate the final two runs and shorten the contest.  North Allegheny also helped bring about their own demise by committing a total of five errors to aid the Raiders’ cause.

North Allegheny will resume action on Monday when they host Pine-Richland at NASH field in a 4:00 start.  The Tigers, 7-5 / 1-5, are now in a must-win situation to entertain any playoff hopes as the season enters the second half of section play.

GAME SUMMARY
SENECA VALLEY - 11  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 0

WP - Laura Pennell   LP - Kelly Baxter (5-4)

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SHALER TOPS LADY TIGERS, 5-1

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

Catcher Stevie Stanek broke open a close game with a three-run homer in the top of the seventh inning to propel Shaler to a 5-1 victory over the Lady Tigers at the Senior High field on Thursday afternoon.  Junior Julie Angeloni had a pair of hits and an RBI to pace the Lady Tigers.

Shaler started quickly when leadoff hit CF Lia Sorce lined a double to right field.  With one out, RF Jenn Simile walked.  Stanek followed with a ground ball to short but the throw to second was wide allowing the Titans to load the bases.  Shortstop Melissa McQuade singled to left field to drive in the game's first run.  Senior LHP Kelly Baxter got out of further trouble with a force play at the plate and an infield pop fly.  The Titans took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the first. 

The Lady Tigers threatened but did not score in the bottom of the inning.  With one out, senior 2B Lauren Vrabel drew a walk.  Junior DP Katie Polley followed with a single along the left field line.  Shaler RHP Megan Daley got the next two batters on strikeouts to end the threat.  In the bottom of the second, NA loaded the bases with two outs.  Senior SS Melanie Boozel beat out an infield single.  Junior catcher Jocelyn Dimple walked and sophomore LF Jane Miner singled to center field.  Daley again was able to get a strike out to end the inning.

The Titans added another run in the top of the third.  With one out, Simile drew her second walk of he game.  Stanek followed with a line shot into the left center field gap that scored Simile and gave Shaler a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the third.  Once again, NA threatened after two were out in the bottom of the inning.  Sophomore RF Kelsey Fedell singled sharply up the middle and sophomore 3B Stephanie Cassidy followed with base hit into center field.  Angeloni then pinch hit a single to left center field to score Fedell and cut the Titan lead to 2-1 after three innings.

In the top of the fourth, singles by 2B Chelsea Siar and Scorce with one out gave the Titans another scoring opportunity.  Baxter shut the door, however with an infield fly and a line drive to deep right field caught by Fedell just in front of the fence.  Baxter retired the side in order in the next two innings but Shaler still held a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the sixth.

Angeloni led off the bottom of the sixth with a single to left field.  Boozel followed with a sacrifice bunt that moved the potential tying run to second.  Sophomore PH Beth Chidester beat out an infield single off the pitcher's glove but Boozel had to hold at second.  Daley then got out of the jam with consecutive ground balls to end the inning.

In the top of the seventh, Sorce led off with a single to center field.   With one out, Simile grounded a base hit to right field.  Stanek followed with a long drive off the netting on the center field scoreboard that gave the Titans a commanding 5-1 lead going into the bottom of the seventh.  Daley allowed just a hamrless walk to Fedell in the bottom of the inning as the Titans finished off the 5-1 victory.

It was a tough loss for the Lady Tigers to the defending PIAA Champions.  NA had eight hits in the game but left eleven runners on base and that proved to be fatal.  For her efforts at the plate, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Julie Angeloni as the Player of the Game.

With the loss, the NA section record fell to 1-4, the overall mark to 7-4.  The Lady Tigers will travel to Seneca Valley tomorrow morning for an 11:00 am section contest against the undefeated Raiders. 

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
SHALER - 5  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1

WP - Megan Daley  LP - Kelly Baxter (5-3)

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LADY TIGERS STOP FOX CHAPEL, 4-2, FOR
FIRST SECTION WIN

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

The Lady Tigers defeated Fox Chapel, 4-2, on Wednesday afternoon at the Senior High field behind the strong pitching of senior lefthander Kelly Baxter to win their first section contest.  Sophomore Jane Miner singled home a run and sophomore pinch hitter Sarah Moore doubled home another for the winning Lady Tigers.

Fox Chapel threatened in the top of the first when CF Mary Cornelius singled and catcher Alicia Miksic beat out a bunt single.  Baxter then was able to get two ground outs and a fly ball to sophomore Mary DeMino in center field to end the inning.  In the bottom of the first, the Lady Tigers scored twice.  After sophomore DP Beth Chidester beat out an infield single, senior 2B Lauren Vrabel reached when FC was called for interference on Chidester running to second.  Miner followed with a hard single to center field that scored Chidester.  When the ball was booted in center field, Vrabel came all the way around to score.  NA took a 2-0 lead after one inning.

In the top of the second, Fox Chapel tied the score.  After 1B Kelsey Moran walked, she was sacrificed to second.  Pitcher Maggie Kichler then beat out a bunt single.  After courtesy runner Holly Bourquin stole second, 2b Kelsey Matisko grounded to third.  The throw to first was wide allowing two runs to score.  Baxter got a line out and a ground out to end the inning with no further scoring.  The two unearned runs gave Fox Chapel a 2-2 tie going into the bottom of the inning.

With one out in the bottom of the second, sophomore catcher Jocelyn Dimple beat out an infield single.  After a ground out to third moved CR Julie Heinl to second, Vrabel walked.  Both runners moved up a base on a double steal.  Miner followed with a ground ball to short that was bobbled for an error allowing Heinl to score the go ahead run.  NA took a 3-2 lead into the third.

Neither team threatened in the third or fourth innings.  In the top of the fifth, Miksic singled with one out.  After a strike out, SS Amber Colesnick was hit by a pitch.  With runners on at second and first, Baxter got the final out on a ground ball to Vrabel.  In the bottom of the inning, the Lady Tigers added an important insurance run.  With one out, Polley reached on an error.  After a wild pitch moved her to second, Kichler recorded a strikeout for the second out of the inning.  Moore then batted for sophomore 3B Stephanie Cassidy and lined a double to the fence in right center field to score Polley.  The Lady Tigers took a 4-2 lead into the sixth inning.

Baxter was able to retire the side in both the sixth and seventh innings giving only a harmless single in the final frame.  The Lady Tigers held on for the all-important first section win.  Baxter allowed no earned runs, walked only one and struck out three in recording her fifth win of the season against two losses.  For her efforts, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Kelly Baxter as the Player of the Game.

With the win, the Lady Tigers climbed back into the section playoff race as the improved their section record to 1-3, the overall mark to 7-3.  NA will host defending PIAA champion Shaler this afternoon at the Senior High field.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 3:45 pm.  Game time is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4  FOX CHAPEL - 2

WP - Kelly Baxter (5-2)  LP - Maggie Kichler

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MINER'S HIT IN SEVENTH BEATS HOWLAND, 3-2

by Coach Rick Meister

Senior lefthander Kelly Baxter allowed only three hits, and sophomore LF Jane Miner drove in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Lady Tigers a 3-2 victory over the Howland (OH) Tigers at the Senior High field on Tuesday afternoon.  Baxter struck out six and walked none in earning her fourth victory of the season                    

NA struck first in the bottom of the second inning. Sophomore first baseman Sarah Moore led off the inning with a walk. Miner bunted, but Howland was able to force Moore at second base for the first out of the inning.  Following a strikeout by sophomore center fielder Mary DeMino, senior second baseman Lauren Vrabel worked a walk to send Miner to second.  Sophomore catcher Jocelyn Dimpel hit a ball toward the middle which was mishandled by the Howland second baseman, loading the bases.  Senior shortstop Melanie Boozel was then hit by a pitch, forcing home Miner with the game’s first run. A walk to sophomore third baseman Beth Chidester scored Vrabel with run number two.

The 2-0 score held until the top of the sixth, when consecutive singles and a fielder’s choice grounder to short scored Howland leadoff center fielder Carly Sabat to make it a 2-1 game.  After a scoreless bottom of the sixth, Howland tied the game in the top of the seventh.  First baseman Rachel Bixler reached on an error and was sacrificed to second by right fielder Maria Brutz.  Another infield miscue moved Bixler to third, and she scored on a fielder’s choice to tie the game at two.  Baxter was able to pitch out of the jam, stranding two Howland runners at second and third.

In the bottom of the seventh, North Allegheny finally put together enough offense to secure the victory.  Boozel beat out a bunt for a leadoff single. Chidester laid down a perfect sacrifice to move Boozel to second with one out. Junior designated player Leslie Vanderkolk drew a walk. Following a pop up to second base by sophomore right fielder Kelsey Fedell, Moore swung at a pitch in the dirt for an apparent inning-ending strikeout, but when the pitch escaped catcher Tiffany Jacques, Moore was safe at first, with the other runners advancing to load the bases.  Miner then lined a ball into the right-center gap, scoring Boozel, to give the Tigers an exciting win.

With the win, NA improved their overall record to 6-3 on the season.  The Lady Tigers will host Pine-Richland this afternoon in a section contest.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 3:45 pm.  Game time is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  HOWLAND - 2

WP - Kelly Baxter (4-2)  LP - Abby Nicholas

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TWO-RUN, TWO-OUT HOME RUN IN SEVENTH BEATS NA FOR BUTLER, 5-4

by Coach Rick Meister

After rallying for four runs in the sixth to take a 4-3 lead, the Lady Tigers saw Butler shortstop Julie Geibel drive a two-out, two-run home run over the right center field fence to give the Tornado a 5-4 win.  For North Allegheny it was once again a game of wasted opportunities.  The Tigers left the bases loaded in both the first and third innings, and left two on base four times, for a total of fourteen stranded runners.  NA was able to manage just seven hits, which when coupled with twelve walks given up by Butler, gave the Tigers numerous scoring opportunities.

Butler struck first in the bottom of the first on a two-out double by Geibel and an RBI single by designated player Erin Thrower off North Allegheny senior starter Kelly Baxter.  A two-run home run by Geibel in the third off of Baxter gave Butler a 3-0 lead, which held up until the sixth inning.  Reliever sophomore Julie Heinl held Butler scoreless in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings before the fatal seventh.

 North Allegheny scored all of its runs in the sixth inning. Sophomore catcher Jocelyn Dimpel led off the sixth with a single.  Following a walk to senior shortstop Melanie Boozel, which moved courtesy runner junior Casey Blendinger to second, and a strikeout of sophomore center fielder Mary DeMino, sophomore left fielder Beth Chidester drew a walk to load the bases.  Sophomore right fielder Kelsey Fedell hit into a fielder’s choice to score Boozel.  Sophomore first baseman Sarah Moore then lined a double into right center field to score both Blendinger and Chidester, with Fedell being thrown out on a play at the plate.  Senior second baseman Lauren Vrabel then drew a walk, and sophomore DP Jane Miner hit a single to left field to score pinch runner junior Julie Angeloni with the Tigers’ fourth run of the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, second baseman Lori Sanderson blooped a single just over first base with two outs to keep the inning alive.  Geibel followed with her second home run of the game to give Butler the victory.

With the loss, the Tigers fell to 5-3 overall, 0-3 in section play.  NA is off until they host Howland, Ohio, on Tuesday at 3:00 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
BUTLER - 5  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4

WP - Stacy Reges  LP - Julie Heinl (2-1)

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LADY TIGERS REBOUND TO BLANK
CONNELLSVILLE, 4-0

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

Sophomore righthander Julie Heinl tossed a two-hitter to lead the Lady Tigers to a 4-0 non-section victory over Connellsville at the Senior High field on Friday afternoon.  Senior 2B Lauren Vrabel had a triple and two singles to lead the NA hitting attack.  Sophomore DP Beth Chidester added a double and a single along with an RBI.

Neither team mounted a threat in the first inning.  In the bottom of the second, Vrabel tripled to deep center field with one out but was stranded when Connellsville pitcher Alexis Dolde got a ground out and strike out to end the threat.

In the top of the third, 2B Liz Bell got the Falcons' first hit, a single to left field.  On the next play, LF Kylie Hamborsky bunted along the first base line.  NA first baseman Katie Polley threw to Vrabel for the out.  When Bell tried to move to third, Vrabel nailed her with a good throw to 3B Karen Baxter.  In the bottom of the inning, NA took the lead for good.  With one out, Heinl beat out an infield single and stole second.  After sophomore courtesy runner Steph Cassidy went in to run, Chidester grounded a hard shot into left center field for a double that scored Cassidy.  The Lady Tigers took a 1-0 lead into the third.

Heinl continued to mow down the Falcon hitters in the fourth retiring the side in order.  In the bottom of the inning, the Lady Tigers added two more runs.  After a walk to Polley, Vrabel lined a single to left field for her second hit.  Junior LF Julie Angeloni followed with a sacrifice bunt that moved both runners up a base.  Senior shortstop Mel Boozel plated Polley with a ground out to short.  Sophomore catcher Jocelyn Dimple then singled to left field to drive in Vrabel and give NA a 3-0 lead after four innings.

In the top of the fifth, Heinl allowed a harmless two-out single to her mound opponent, Alexis Dolde, before striking out Bell to end the inning.  In the bottom of the fifth, Chidester singled to left for her second base hit of the game.  After a wild ptich moved her to second, a ground out to short allowed Chidester to go the third.  With two outs, Polley came through with a single to center field to drive in the fourth and final NA run.

Heinl continued to keep the Falcons under control with the only base runner in the sixth and seventh innings coming on an NA error.  Heinl finished with six strikeouts and no walks in earning her second victory of the season against no losses.  It was a big victory for NA after the tough loss to Seneca on Thursday.  For her big day at the plate, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Lauren Vrabel as the Player of the Game.

With the win, the Lady Tigers improved their overall record to 5-2 on the season.  NA will travel to Butler on Monday afternoon for a 4:00 pm section contest.

BOX SCORE

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4  CONNELLSVILLE - 0

WP - Julie Heinl (2-0)  LP - Alexis Dolde (0-1)

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SENECA VALLEY RALLIES TO EDGE LADY TIGERS, 4-3

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

The Seneca Valley Raiders scored twice in the sixth and seventh innings to erase a 3-0 NA lead and defeat the Lady Tigers, 4-3, at the Senior High field on Thursday afternoon.  Sophomore Kelsey Fedell had two hits and two runs scored to pace NA. 

Seneca Valley threatened in the top of the first when leadoff hitter and shortstop Dana Hughes lined a double off the right center field fence to start the game.  Senior lefthander Kelly Baxter got the next three batters to end the threat with a Raider run.  In the bottom of the first, Fedell singled to left field with two outs but SV pitcher Lauren Pennell got a strike out to end the inning.

In the top of the second, 3B Nocole Lollo and Pennell singled with one out.  Once again, Baxter got the final two outs on a line out to third and a strikeout.  In the bottom of the inning, sophomore 1B Sarah Moore walked with one out and junior DP Katie Polley followed with a base hit to left.  Pennell again got out of trouble getting a strikeout and a ground out to second.

The Raiders kept putting pressure on Baxter and the Tiger defense.  With one out, CF Liz Dorogy reached on an error and 2B Jackie Mangola singled up the middle.  After a ground out for the second out, Baxter hit catcher Megan McCormick with a pitch.  Baxter then got Lollo looking a called third strike.  The Lady Tigers finally broke through in the bottom of the third.  After two were out, Fedell walked, sophomore 3B Steph Cassidy was hit by a pitch, and sophomore Jane Miner drew a walk.  Moore then came through with a line single down the right field line that scored Fedell.  Cassidy was thrown out at home trying to score the second run thanks to a good job of blocking the plate by McCormick.  NA took a 1-0 lead into the fourth inning.

In the top of the fifth, Mangola doubled to right center with two outs, but Baxter got a ground out to third to end the inning.  In the bottom of the inning, the Lady Tigers added two more runs.  Sophomore CF Mary Demino led off with an infield single.  Demino was then injured on a pickoff attempt and had to leave the game.  Junior Casey Blendinger went in to run and stayed in the game to play center field.  After a force out at second, Fedell singled to center field.  After a fly ball to left for the second out, Miner drove a single to right center field scoring senior SS Mel Boozel with the second NA run.  After a walk to Moore loaded the bases, Polley was hit by a pitch to drive in another run.  The Lady Tigers took a 3-0 lead into the sixth inning.

In the top of the sixth, McCormick singled to left and was replaced by courtesy runner Kelsey Gray.  Lollo followed with a long drive to center field that was almost caught but fell in near the fence.  On the play, Gray had to hold up and the Tigers had a chance for an out at third.  The throw was high, however, and went into the dugout allowing Gray to score the first SV run with Lollo moving all the way to third.  Pennell lined a single to center to score Lollo and make it a 3-2 game.  NA did not threaten in the bottom of the inning, but took a one-run lead into the seventh.

In the top of the seventh, 1B Courtney Grootegood singled with one out.  McCormick singled to deep short with Boozel making a diving stop but having no play.  Lollo then hit a long drive along the right field line that rolled to the fence.  Both Grootegood and CR Gray scored as the Raiders took their first lead of the game.  Baxter struck out the next two hitters, but SV led by one going into the bottom of the inning.    Cassidy led off the seventh with a walk.  Miner tried to drop down a sacrifice bunt, but the ball was caught in the air by Grootegood who threw to first to double off Cassidy.  Moore lined to third to end the game.

It was a tough loss for NA as they had chances for a victory in the game.  Baxter kept the Raiders off balance for much of the game and struck out eight batters.  In the end, Seneca got several key hits at critical times to take home their second section win.  For her efforts, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Kelsey Fedell as the Player of the Game.

With the loss, the NA section record fell to 0-2, the overall mark to 4-2 on the season.  The Lady Tigers will host Connellsville this afternoon in a non-section contest at the Senior High field.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 3:45 pm.  Game time is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
SENECA VALLEY - 4  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3

WP - Lauren Pennell (3-0)  LP - Kelly Baxter (3-2)

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LADY TIGER RALLY BEATS MONTOUR, 4-3

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After trailing 3-0 early, the Lady Tigers rallied to take a 4-3 victory over Montour at the Senior High field on Wednesday afternoon.  A ground out by senior SS Mel Boozel sent home sophomore PH Beth Chidester with the winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Senior LHP Kelly Baxter came on in relief to earn the victory.  Sophomore starting pitcher Julie Heinl had two hits and an an RBI while sophomore DP Jane Miner had two hits and two runs scored to pace NA.

Montour started quickly in the top of the first when pitcher Sarah Capp doubled to left field.  After PR Deanna Morrison went to third on a wild pitch, shortstop Kaylee Dodd walked.  On a double steal attempt, the throw to the cutoff player was dropped allowing Morrison to score and Dodd to go to second.  RF Sabrina Schmittlein then grounded into a double play going from short to first to third.  Heinl got a ground out to retire the side.  In the bottom of the first with one out, Boozel beat out a bunt single.  Sophomore RF Kelsey Fedell followed with a single to left, but Capp struck out the next two batters at Montour took a 1-0 lead into the second.

The Spartans added two more runs in the top of the second inning.  With one out, 1B Alexis Adler and 3B Kristen Frantz beat out bunt singles.  Center fielder Caitlin Singletary followed with a bunt fielder's choice with no outs recorded.  Capp then drilled a single up the middle to score one run, and Dodd was walked to force in another.  Heinl got the final out when Schmittlein lined a short to deep right where Fedell make a good catch.  Montour led, 3-0, going into the bottom of the second.

The Lady Tigers came back in the bottom of the inning.  Miner led off with a base hit to center field and moved to second on a ground out.  After Miner went to third on another ground out, Heinl drove her home with a base hit to cut the margin to 3-1 after two innings.

Both sides were retired in order in the third as the pitchers settled down.  In the top of the fourth, 2B Angel Pannizzi singled with two outs.  Sophomore catcher Jocelyn Dimple ended the inning when she nailed Pannizzi attempting to steal second.  The Lady Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the inning.  Miner dropped a single in to short center field, and senior 2B Lauren Vrabel was hit with a pitch.  With one out, Heinl beat out an infield single to load the bases.  Capp then walked sophomore CF Mary DeMino and sophomore pinch hitter Sarah Moore to force in two runs and tie the game.  Capp then struck out the next two batters but NA had tied the game at 3-3 after four.

In the fifth, Heinl allowed a harmless walk before getting the next three batters.  In the bottom of the inning, sophomore Steph Cassidy led off with a base hit to left field.  Junior pinch runner Katie Polley was sacrificed to second and moved to third on a ground out.  Polley was tagged out when she attempted to score on a missed bunt attempt.

Montour threatened in the top of the sixth loading the bases on hits by DP Bryanna McNally and Frantz.  With two outs and the bases loaded, Coach Rick Meister went to his bullpen and brought in Kelly Baxter.  On a 2 and 0 count, Capp lined a shot right at Boozel who held on for the final out.  In the bottom of the sixth, sophomore pinch hitter Beth Chidester led off with a base hit to right field.  With one out, DeMino grounded back to Capp who threw to third late giving NA runners on first and third with one out.  Boozel then grounded toward first with the only play being at first as Chidester scored the go ahead run.  NA took a 4-3 lead into the seventh.

Baxter got the side in order in the top of the seventh striking out two of the three batters as the Tigers completed the 4-3 victory.  It was a good win for NA over a quality AAA opponent.  For her work on the mound and at the plate, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Julie Heinl as the Player of the Game.

With the non-section win, the Lady Tigers improved their overall record to 4-1 on the season.  NA will host Seneca Valley this afternoon in an early season section battle.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 3:45 pm.  Game time is set for 4:00 pm.

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4  MONTOUR - 3

WP - Kelly Baxter (3-1)  LP - Sarah Capp

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LADY TIGERS FALL TO SHALER,
4-1, IN SECTION OPENER

by Coach Rick Meister

The Lady Tigers lost a 4-1 decision to section rival Shaler in a game played at Shaler’s Hilltop Field on Tuesday afternoon.  North Allegheny failed to capitalize on early scoring opportunities, leaving six runners on base in the first two innings, including a bases loaded, no out situation in the first inning in which the Tigers failed to get a run across the plate. 

      In the top of the first, successive bunt singles by sophomore center fielder Mary DeMino, senior shortstop Melanie Boozel, and sophomore right fielder Kelsey Fedell loaded the bases with no one out.  However, Shaler pitcher Meg Daley was able to induce junior left fielder Leslie Vanderkolk to hit into a fielder’s choice, erasing DeMino at the plate.  Sophomore third baseman Stephanie Cassidy then struck out, and junior DP Katie Polley grounded to third to end the threat.  The Tigers scored their only run in the second inning when senior second baseman Lauren Vrabel hit a one out single.  Following a stolen base and a strikeout of sophomore catcher Jocelyn Dimpel, DeMino hit a hard shot into center field, which was misplayed, allowing Vrabel to score.

      In the bottom of the second, Shaler tied the score on consecutive one-out singles by shortstop Melissa McQuade and first baseman Lisa Huber, and a sacrifice fly to right field by third baseman Erin Fieldhouse.  The Titans took the lead in the third on a solo home run by right fielder Jen Similie.  The Titans put it away in the sixth.  Leadoff batter center fielder Lia Sorce reached on an error, and following a fielder’s choice which allowed Sorce to move to second, Similie once again put a ball over the fence in left field to give Shaler its final 4-1 advantage.

      For North Allegheny, losing pitcher Kelly Baxter allowed six hits while walking one and striking out three.  It was an overall effective performance except for the damage done by the Similie home runs.  With the loss, North Allegheny falls to 3-1 overall, 0-1 in section play.  The Tigers get back into action at home in a non-section contest vs. Montour today at the Senior High field.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 3:45 pm.  Game time is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
SHALER - 4  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1

WP - Meg Daley    LP - Kelly Baxter (2-1)

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LADY TIGERS COMPLETE SUCCESSFUL TRIP

by Coach Rick Meister

      The North Allegheny Softball Team completed a very successful trip to Disney World, posting three convincing victories over Nutley, NJ; Palisades, NJ; and Germantown, PA, behind the effective pitching of senior Kelly Baxter and sophomore Julie Heinl.  Baxter earned wins over Nutley and Germantown, while Heinl picked up her first varsity win with a solid performance against Palisades.  All sixteen Tigers saw significant playing time as North Allegheny got off to a 3-0 season start under sunny skies with warm temperatures.

      Offensively, North Allegheny got key contributions from many players. Collectively, NA compiled the following statistics during their stay in Florida:

      The NA defense excelled as well, supporting both Baxter and Heinl with solid play, led by sophomore catcher Jocelyn Dimpel behind the plate. Dimpel allowed no passed balls throughout the event, and was two-for-two in cutting down attempted base stealers.  As a team, the Tigers committed a total of only three errors in the three-game event. Pitching stats are as follows:

The Lady Tigers return home to open the section season against a familiar and tough opponent.  NA will travel to Shaler on Tuesday to open section play.  Last year, the two teams split a pair of regular season games.  NA downed Shaler, 3-2, in the WPIAL title game while the Titans came back to beat NA, 1-0, in eleven innings in the PIAA quarterfinals.  Game time at Hilltop Field with game time set for 3:30 pm.

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LADY TIGERS WIN TWO IN FLORIDA

The Lady Tigers overwhelmed two opponents in the KSA Tournament in Orlando to complete a three-game sweep in the sunshine of Florida.  NA defeated Palisades (NJ), 12-2, and Germantown Friends School, 18-0, behind good hitting along with strong pitching and fielding.

Against Palisades, the Lady Tigers built a 6-2 lead after two innings and added five in the fifth to end the game because of the ten-rule rule.  Junior Leslie Vanderkolk pounded out a triple and sophomore Mary Demino was three for four to back up the pitching of sophomore Julie Heinl who earned her first varsity victory.  In the game against Germantown Friends, it was no contest from the beginning as NA scored three in the first and second innings, added two more in the third and finished things off with a ten run fourth inning.  Sophomore Jane Miner led the attack with a pair of doubles, junior Casey Blendinger added a double, and Demino was three for three including a double.  Demino finished the round robin tournament with nine hits to pace NA.  Senior Kelly Baxter allowed only three hits to earn her second victory of the young season.

GAME SUMMARIES
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 12  PALISADES (NJ) - 2

WP - Julie Heinl (1-0)  LP - Dee Emerson

NORTH ALLEGHENY - 18  GERMANTOWN FRIENDS - 0

WP - Kelly Baxter (2-0)  LP - Veri Kliven

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LADY TIGERS OPEN WITH 11-0 SHUTOUT
 VICTORY OVER NUTLEY

The defending WPIAL Champion Lady Tigers opened their 2007 season in impressive fashion with an 11-0 victory over Nutley, the defending AAA champion from New Jersey.  Senior left hander Kelly Baxter allowed only three hits to earn the victory in the five-inning game.

The Lady Tigers erupted for four runs in the bottom of the first inning and controlled the game from there.  Five more in the third and two in the fourth pushed the game into the mercy rule.  With Nutley not scoring in the top of the fifth, NA picked up the 11-0 victory.

Leading the NA batting attack were sophomore Julie Angeloni who was three-for three and sophomore Mary Demino who posted three hits in four at bats.  Three Lady Tigers recorded two RBIs including Angeloni, sophomore Stephanie Cassidy, and sophomore catcher Jocelyn Dimple.  NA had a total of 14 hits in the easy victory.

The Lady Tigers will play a doubleheader this afteroon in the round robin event in Orlando.  In the first game, NA will face Metarie Park, Louisiana, in a 1:00 pm contest.  At 3:00, the Tigers will take on Germantown, from eastern Pennyslvania, in the final game of the event.

Last year, the Lady Tigers won the WPIAL Championship with a 3-2 victory over Shaler.  In the PIAA quarterfinals, Shaler eliminated NA, 1-0, in an eleven inning marathon.  NA will begin section play next week when they travel to defending PIAA Champion Shaler on Tuesday.  Game time is set for 3:30 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 11  NUTLEY (NJ) - 0

WP - Kelly Baxter (1-0)  LP - Gina Cocchiula

Any questions or comments should be directed to Athletic Director Bob Bozzuto at:  bbozzuto@northallegheny.org