Welcome to the
NORTH ALLEGHENY
SPORTS NETWORK

The Official Source of North Allegheny Sports
 

LADY TIGER ALL-STARS

Photos Courtesy of Steph Anderson and Sam Moore

FEDELL NAMED TO ALL-SECTION TEAM; MOORE SELECTED TO PG NORTH SOFTBALL ALL-STARS

Junior center fielder Kelsey Fedell was selected to the WPIAL Class AAAA Section 3 All-Star team as chosen by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette scholastic sports staff based on voting by WPIAL Coaches.  Junior first baseman Sarah Moore was chosen for the PG North Softball All-Stars. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO KELSEY AND SARAH!!!

WPIAL CLASS AAAA
SECTION 3 ALL-STARS

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE
PG NORTH SOFTBALL ALL-STARS

* - Player of the Year

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

#1 LATROBE EDGES LADY TIGERS, 1-0,
 IN TEN INNING HEARTBREAKER

by Rick Meister

The North Allegheny Varsity Softball team ended its season last night with a hard-fought, 1-0 defeat at the hands of number one seed Latrobe in ten innings in a WPIAL quarter-final game played at California State University.  The Tigers sophomore pitcher Deanna Tritinger scattered eight hits over ten innings in a solid pitching performance backed by a staunch North Allegheny defense that played solidly all night long.  The Tiger bats also responded to an earlier 2-0, eighteen strikeout defeat at the hands of Latrobe by placing runners on base in five of the ten innings and limiting Latrobe pitcher Alexa Bryson to just seven strikeouts over the course of the ten-inning game.

The Tigers had runners in scoring position in both the sixth and seventh innings, and while they hit the ball on both occasions, they could not find a way to have the hit fall to score what would have been the winning run.

The tenth inning was eventful for both Latrobe and NA.  In the top of the tenth, Latrobe left fielder Amanda Malnofsky reached on a one-out single. Second baseman Mollie Kovalcin was safe on a fielder’s choice that retired Malnofsky at second. Following a stolen base, designated player Kelsey Steiner slapped a ball just inside the third base bag to score Kovalcin with the game’s only run.

NA did not go quietly in the bottom of the tenth.  Junior third baseman Stephanie Cassidy lined a leadoff double to deep center field, a ball that hit the fence and missed going out by about two feet. Freshman pinch runner Hannah Jones ran for Cassidy.  Following a short fly ball out to second base and a strikeout, sophomore pinch hitter Amber Steenbeke lined a single to center field, but Jones was cut down at the plate on an excellent throw by center fielder Sam Ferry to end the game and the Tigers’ season.

It was a well-played game by both teams, a game in which the Tigers battled hard and left it all on the field, coming up just short of the victory.  The Lady Tigers completed their season with a share of the section title and an overall 12-9 record.

GAME SUMMARY
LATROBE - 1  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 0

WP - Alexis Bryson   LP - Deanna Tritinger

WPIAL CLASS AAAA

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

LADY TIGERS BLANK CONNELLSVILLE, 2-0,
 IN FIRST ROUND OF PLAYOFFS

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

Sophomore RHP Deanna Tritinger allowed only three hits to lead the Lady Tigers to a 2-0 victory over Connellsville at Gateway High School on Tuesday afternoon in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs.  NA scored two late runs, one on an RBI single by senior LF Katie Polley, to advance to the quarterfinals.  Junior RF Jane Miner had a pair of singles for the winning Lady Tigers.

The Lady Tigers threatened in the top of the first but did not score.  Miner led off with a line drive single down the right field line.  Sophomore 2B Christy Cotter followed with a perfectly placed bunt between the third baseman and pitcher for a base hit.  Connellsville pitcher Erica Bartholow got the next three batters, two by strikeouts, to end the threat.  Tritinger retired the first ten Falcon batters before allowing a harmless infield single in the bottom of the fourth.

The only NA hit after the first was a single by junior 1B Sarah Moore in the top of the fourth.  She was erased on a good fielding play by Falcon shortstop Brooke Hoffer who turned a sharp ground ball by junior 3B Steph Cassidy into an inning ending double play.  The teams went into the top of the sixth inning still scoreless.

The Tigers finally broke through thanks to the speed and alert baserunning of junior shortstop Mary DeMino.  DeMino beat out a bunt along the first base line to start the inning.  The NA junior then stole second with a great slide to avoid the tag.  After a single by Miner to left field moved DeMino to third, she scored when a pickoff throw by the Connellsville catcher went into left field.  With freshman pinch runner Erin Norwig running for Miner at third base, Cotter bunted back to the pitcher who threw to first for the out.  Norwig was cut down at the plate on the throw from first to complete the second Falcon double play of the game.  Junior CF Kelsey Fedell followed with a double into short right center field but was stranded at second.  NA took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth where Tritinger again got the side in order.

The Lady Tigers added an important insurance run in the top of the seventh.  With one out, Cassidy singled to left center field.  Freshman Hannah Jones went in to run and promptly stole second.  Polley then lined a single to center field to score Jones and make it a 2-0 game.  Sophomore DP Amber Steenbeke followed with another single to center field but Polley was out at the plate trying to score.  A strikeout ended the inning but not before NA had added another run.  The Falcons got a two-out single by 1B Kylie Sage in the bottom of the seventh, but Tritinger ended the game on a ground ball to DeMino who stepped on second for the final out.

It was a strong defensive performance by the Lady Tigers to back up the consistent pitching of Tritinger.  The Falcons were out on fourteen ground balls that were played flawlessly by the NA infield.  For her efforts in sparking the NA rally in the sixth and her play in the field, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Mary DeMino as the Player of the Game.

With the win, NA improved their overall record to 12-8 as they moved on to the quarterfinals.  The Lady Tigers will play #1 seed Latrobe.  The game has been postponed from Monday until Tuesday at Fairhaven Park.  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.

Click here to listen to the MSA Broadcast!

Box Score
Photo Gallery

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 2  CONNELLSVILLE - 0

WP - Deanna Tritinger  LP - Erica Bartholow

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

LADY TIGERS BLANK NORTH HILLS, 5-0, TO
CLAIM SHARE OF SECTION CROWN

To listen a replay of the game, click here!

Sophomore right hander Deanna Tritinger hurled a one-hitter to lead the Lady Tigers to a 5-0 victory over North Hills in the section finale at the Senior High field on Tuesday afternoon.  Junior 1B Sarah Moore had a pair of doubles, senior LF Katie Polley added an RBI triple, and junior SS Mary DeMino was three for three with a stolen base and run scored.

With one out in the top of the first, LF Jess Rectenwald drew a walk.  Tritinger got the next two batters on ground outs to end the inning.  In the bottom of the first, the first two batters went out on pop flies.  After junior CF Kelsey Fedell drew a walk, Moore lined a double into the right center field gap that scored Fedell with the game's first run.  NA took a 1-0 lead after one inning of play.

Tritinger got the side in order in both the second and third innings.  In the bottom of the third, the Lady Tigers added another run.  DeMino led off with a line drive single to left field.  Junior RF Jane Miner followed with a sacrifice bunt that moved DeMino to second.  With two outs, Fedell drilled a base hit up the middle to score DeMino and give the Lady Tigers a 2-0 lead after three innings.

In the top of the fourth, North Hills threatened but did not score.  With one out, NH pitcher Rachel Van Atta drew a walk.  DP Ally Gross then reached on an error.  Tritinger once again was able to get out of the inning on a pop fly to second and a ground out to short.  In the bottom of the inning, NA struck for two more runs.  Junior 3B Steph Cassidy led off with a line double down the left field line.  Freshman Kelsey Birsic dropped down a bunt that got through the right side of the NH infield.  Cassidy tried to score but was caught in a run down between third and home and tagged out with Birsic moving to second.  Polley followed with a line drive triple to deep center field that scored Birsic to make it 3-0.  Junior catcher Jocelyn Dimpel then scored Polley with a perfectly place squeeze bunt with the throw to the plate too late.  NA took a 4-0 lead into the fifth inning.

After Tritinger again got the side in order in the top of the fifth, the Lady Tigers scored again in the bottom of the inning.  Fedell led off with another single to center field, and Moore followed with a double to the fence in right field.  Cassidy grounded out to short with Fedell scoring to give the Lady Tigers a 5-0 advantage afte five innings.

In the top of the sixth, Rectenwald singled to right field with one out for the first NH hit of the game.  Van Atta lined to sophomore 2B Christy Cotter who threw to first to double up Rectenwald and end the inning.  Tritinger got the side in order in the top of the seventh to secure the victory and a playoff spot and more for the Lady Tigers.

It was a good team victory for the Lady Tigers.  Five different players picked up RBIs in the winning effort.  For her total domination of North Hills hitters, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Deanna Tritinger as the Player of the Game.

With the win, the Lady Tigers completed section play with an 8-4 record.  North Hills, Shaler and Seneca Valley all finished with identical 8-4 marks creating a four-way tie for the section title.  NA improved their overall mark to 11-8. 

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  NORTH HILLS - 0

WP - Deanna Tritinger  LP - Rachel Van Atta

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

LADY TIGERS FALL TO #1 LATROBE, 2-0

by Rick Meister

The North Allegheny varsity Softball Team traveled to Latrobe on Friday to battle the number-one ranked AAAA team, the Greater Latrobe Area Wildcats, and in a tight pitcher’s duel lost 2-0.  Latrobe senior pitcher Alexa Bryson was in command throughout the game, allowing just one hit, a leadoff single in the seventh inning by junior pitcher Julie Heinl.  Bryson amassed eighteen strikeouts en route to the win.

Latrobe scored two unearned runs off Heinl in the fifth inning, and that was all Bryson needed.  Following a single by catcher Lauren Taylor, first baseman Megan Koszusko dropped down a bunt that was misplayed by NA, putting runners on first and second.  A sacrifice by shortstop Emily Fenton advanced both runners.  Latrobe then ran a bases-loaded squeeze play executed by right fielder Alexa Larkin to score Taylor.  A two-out single by left fielder Amber Biddle drove in Koszusko, and the scoring was finished for the afternoon.

The loss dropped the Tiger record to 10-8.  On Tuesday, North Allegheny will host North Hills in a key section match-up.  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 at the Senior High field.

GAME SUMMARY
LATROBE - 2  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 0

 WP - Alexa Bryson  LP - Julie Heinl

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

LADY TIGERS TAME FOXES, 7-0

by Rick Meister

The North Allegheny Varsity Softball team defeated the Fox Chapel Foxes in the Foxes’ den yesterday, 7-0, behind the three-hit shutout pitching by sophomore Deanna Tritinger.  Freshman RF Kelsey Birsic tripled in a run and junior CF Kelsey Fedell doubled home a tally to pace the winning Lady Tigers.  Sophomore 2B Christy Cotter had a pair of RBIs to help the cause.

NA scored three runs in the second inning in a rally started by junior catcher Jocelyn Dimpel’s  one-out solid single to center field.  Birsic singled to advance senior courtesy runner Leslie Vanderkolk to third.  Junior shortstop Mary DeMino singled to drive in Vanderkolk.  Birsic and Vanderkolk each moved up a base on a wild pitch, and junior designated player Julie Heinl’s infield single loaded the bases.  Cotter then singled to drive in both Birsic and DeMino with the second and third runs.

The Tigers added two in the third when senior left fielder Katie Polley reached on an error and advanced to second when the errant throw went into dead ball territory.  Birsic then lined a triple to deep right-center field to drive in Polley.  Birsic scored on a sacrifice fly  to right field by DeMino.

North Allegheny tacked the final two runs in the sixth when Heinl led off with a single and scored on an RBI double by Fedell.  Following a wild pitch that moved Fedell to third, junior first baseman Sarah Moore singled for the RBI.

With the win, the Tigers kept pace with Shaler for the third playoff spot in Section 3AAAA.  The issue will be decided next Tuesday when NA hosts North Hills while Shaler hosts Pine Richland.  Should the two teams remain tied, both will advance to the playoffs, having split their regular season match-ups, 1-1.  North Allegheny will travel to Latrobe today to face the number-one ranked AAAA team in a 4:00 contest.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 7  FOX CHAPEL - 0

 WP - Deanna Tritinger  LP - Sarah Bugajski

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

LADY TIGERS TAKE TWO IN OHIO

by Rick Meister

The Lady Tigers won a pair of games against Ohio teams at the Howland Invitational on Saturday afternoon.  In game one, NA knocked off Youngstown Ursuline, 3-2, with consecutive doubles by junior CF Kelsey Fedell and senior LF Katie Polley accounting for the tying and winning runs.  In the second game, the Lady Tigers downed host Howland, 5-1, with senior 3B Steph Cassidy banging out four hits including a double for the winning Lady Tigers.

In the 1:00 contest, North Allegheny took the win behind the six-hit pitching of Julie Heinl, solid defense, and timely hitting.  Ursuline struck first in the top of the first on a one-out single by shortstop Anna Donko, a single by left fielder Kasey Foley, and an RBI single by shortstop Miranda Karkido.  Ursuline added a second run in the fourth on a Cardiko double.  First baseman Jessica Yarab then hit a grounder through the mound that was not handled by NA, and Cardiko came around to score. 

The Tigers answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth when Polley reached on an error and advanced to second on a fielder’s choice.  After senior right fielder Leslie Vanderkolk was hit by a pitch, junior shortstop Mary DeMino hit a single through the middle to score Polley.  NA then scored two in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead in what would ultimately become the final score of 3-2.  A bunt single by sophomore second baseman Christy Cotter was followed by a double by Fedell to score Cotter.  Freshman pinch runner Erin Norwig scored when Polley looped a double to left to gain the RBI.

In the 3:00 game, North Allegheny’s sophomore pitcher Deanna Tritinger scattered seven hits and allowed only a fourth inning run on a double by first baseman Rachel Bixler and an RBI single by designated player Tiffany Jacques.

The Tigers scored single runs in the first, second and third innings, and two in the top of the fifth to attain the 5-1 victory.  In the first, Heinl, the designated player in game two, led off with a single and was sacrificed to second by Cotter.  Following a walk to junior first baseman Sarah Moore, Cassidy singled to left to score Heinl.  The second inning run came when junior left fielder Beth Chidester struck out, but advance to first when the catcher was unable to dig the pitch from the dirt.  Chidester was sacrificed to second by Vanderkolk, and scored on a two-out RBI single by Fedell.  The Tigers’ third tally came in the third when Cassidy led off with a double. Cassidy advanced to third when junior catcher Jocelyn Dimpel hit a solid one-hop line drive to right field.  Although Dimpel was out at first on the play, it set up Cassidy to score when Chidester’s grounder to third was misplayed for an error.

NA put it away in the fifth when Cassidy once again led off the inning with a double.  Polley singled Cassidy to third.  Chidester’s RBI single scored Cassidy and sent Polley to third.  On the next pitch, creative baserunning by Chidester completely baffled the Howland defense, and in the ensuing chaos Polley raced home from third with run number five.

The wins raised the Tigers’ overall record to 9-7, while they remain 6-4 in Section 3AAAA play.  The next game will be an important section match-up at Fox Chapel on Thursday, May 1^st, as the drive toward the playoffs continues.

GAME SUMMARIES
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  URSULINE - 2

WP - Julie Heinl  LP - Casey Lowery

NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  HOWLAND - 1

WP - Deanna Tritinger  LP - Cope

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

LADY TIGERS TOPPLE PINE-RICHLAND, 10-6

by Rick Meister

The Lady Tigers built a 9-2 lead after three innings and held off a late rally to defeat Pine-Richland, 10-6, at the Senior High field on Thursday afternoon.  Junior CF Kelsey Fedell led NA with three doubles while junior 1B Sarah Moore had a pair of singles good for three RBIs.

Pine Richland struck early, tallying two runs in the top of the first off starting and winning pitcher Deanna Tritinger when leadoff batter shortstop Erin Straw singled.  Right fielder Deanna Kelley’s bunt was misplayed by the Tigers, giving the Rams runners on second and third with no outs.  Following a pop-out, catcher Molly King lined a single to left center to drive in both runs.

NA answered in the bottom of the first with two runs.  Junior designated player Jane Miner led off with a walk.  Sophomore second baseman Christy Cotter sacrificed Miner to second,  and Fedell lined a double into right field to drive in Miner.  Following a strikeout, junior third baseman Stephanie Cassidy singled Fedell to third, and Fedell scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at two.

The Tigers exploded for five more runs in the second inning.  Junior catcher Jocelyn Dimpel hit a one-out single. Courtesy runner senior Leslie Vanderkolk stole second.  Junior shortstop Mary DeMino  reached on a error, sending Vanderkolk to third.  Another wild pitch plated Vanderkolk and DeMino took second on the play.  Miner singled DeMino to third.  Cotter’s single drove in DeMino.  Fedell’s double scored DeMino and sent Miner to third.  Moore then singled to drive in both Miner and Fedell.

NA added two more runs in the third when DeMino hit a one-out single and stole second.  Cotter then walked. Fedell reached on an error to load the bases. Moore then delivered another single to drive in both DeMino and Cotter.    North Allegheny added one more in the bottom of the sixth on a double by Fedell and an RBI single by Moore.

The Rams, trailing 10-2 entering the seventh, did not go quietly.   A leadoff walk to designated player Katie McKay and consecutive Tiger errors allowing Straw and Kelley to reach base loaded the bases.  Losing pitcher Brittany Dovey drove in a run on a fielder’s choice putout at first.  Following a fly out, consecutive singles by second baseman Jordan Murray and  third baseman Kayla Dishler  and a sacrifice fly by King brought the Rams to within four, but  NA retired left fielder Emma Kohley on a groundout to seal the win.

The win raises NA’s section mark to 6-4 and its overall record to 7-7.  The Tigers will travel to Ohio on Saturday to play two games in the Howland Invitational.  The first game will be against Youngstown Ursuline at 1:00 pm while the second will be against Howland at 3:00 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 10  PINE-RICHLAND - 6

 WP - Deanna Tritinger  LP - Brittany Dovey

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

LADY TIGERS BLAST BUTLER, 10-3

by Rick Meister

The North Allegheny Varsity Softball team traveled to Butler yesterday and came home with a solid 10-3 victory to continue their climb in Section 3AAAA.  Sophomore RHP Deanna Tritinger picked up the victory on the mound with a five-hit complete game, and the Tigers pounded out 15 hits to tally ten runs.  Junior 1B Sarah Moore had a double and two singles good for three RBIs while junior DP Jane Miner added a two-run homer and double to pace NA.

NA started the scoring early when sophomore second baseman Christy Cotter beat out an infield single, advanced to second on an illegal pitch, stole third on a delayed steal, and was driven home by Moore’s two-out RBI single.  Butler picked up two runs in the bottom of the first on a leadoff single by shortstop Jenna Geibel, a walk to second baseman Olivia Vasey, and an RBI single by third baseman Sadie Marak.  Marak advanced to second on a stolen base and to third on a wild pitch.  She was then driven in on an RBI single by designated player Tricia Hollerman to give Butler its only lead of the contest.

NA tied the game in the top of the third when Miner hit a one-out double.  Freshman pinch runner Hannah Jones advanced to third on a fielder’s choice, and scored when Moore picked up her second RBI single of the game.

In the fourth, the Tigers exploded for four runs to take 6-2 lead.   Senior right fielder Katie Polley led off with a walk.  A single by junior left fielder Beth Chidester  sent Polley to third. Junior catcher Jocelyn Dimpel lined a single to right field to drive in Polley.  Senior Leslie Vanderkolk ran for Dimpel, and trotted home ahead of Miner as Miner lined a pitch over the center field fence for a two-run home run.  Following a walk to Cotter and an advance on a wild pitch,  junior Kelsey Fedell lined a single to center to drive in Cotter with the inning’s fourth run.

The Tigers put it away in the top of the sixth with three runs.  Freshman pinch hitter Kelsey Birsic led off with a single to right field.  Miner drew a walk and was again run for by Jones.  Fedell then hit a long double to center field to score Birsic and Jones.  Moore’s RBI double plated Fedell to make the score 9-2 in favor of the Tigers.

Butler got a home run to left field in the bottom of the sixth from catcher Erica Thrower to give the Tornado its third run, but NA answered in the top of the seventh when Dimple led off with a single, advanced to second on a throwing error, and to third on a fielder’s choice.  Moore once again came through with an RBI single to complete the scoring.  Butler made it interesting by loading the bases in the bottom of the seventh, but Tritinger got Thrower on a fly ball to deep center which was caught by Fedell to end the game.

With the win, NA improved its section record to 5-4 and its overall record to 6-7.  The Tigers will host Pine Richland in a critical contest on Thursday 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 set for 4:00 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 10  BUTLER - 3

 WP - Deanna Tritinger   LP - Angie Reddick

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

LADY TIGERS EDGE MONTOUR, 1-0

by Rick Meister

The North Allegheny Varsity Softball team traveled to Montour on Saturday to take on the Spartans and came home with a well-played, hard-fought 1-0 victory behind the four-hit shutout pitching of junior Julie Heinl and a fifth inning RBI single by sophomore second baseman Christy Cotter.

The game remained scoreless through four innings, highlighted by Heinl’s pitching and solid Tiger defense, featuring a first-inning cut down of a runner at third when junior center fielder Kelsey Fedell raced into the right center field gap to track down a ball bound for who-knows-where on Montour’s fenceless field.  Fedell hit junior shortstop Mary DeMino with a cutoff throw, and DeMino fired a perfect relay to freshman third baseman Kelsey Birsic to turn the possible triple into an out.

In the fifth, NA scored the only run of the game when senior right fielder Leslie Vanderkolk led off with a walk.  A one out single by junior designated player Jane Miner sent Vanderkolk to second.  With the runners moving on the play, Cotter pushed a perfect bunt along the first base line.  Montour was able to nip Cotter on the play, but Vanderkolk raced all the way home with the eventual winning run.

Heinl continued to hold Montour scoreless in innings five, six, and seven, with Tiger sophomore catcher Maria Shevchik picking off a runner at first when Montour had runners on first and second with only one out in the fifth, and NA turning a shortstop-to-first base-to third base double play in the sixth to once again thwart a runner on second with one out threat by the Spartans.

With the win, the Tigers improved their overall record to 5 wins and 7 losses, while remaining at 4-4 in Section 3AAAA play and still very much in contention for a playoff spot.  NA will travel to Butler on Tuesday to take on the Tornado in a 4:00 contest.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1  MONTOUR - 0

WP - Julie Heinl  LP - Capp

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

LADY TIGERS KNOCK OFF FIRST PLACE
SENECA VALLEY, 5-2

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

Sophomore right hander Deanna Tritinger allowed only two runs and four hits to section leader Seneca Valley as the Lady Tigers posted a 5-2 victory at the Senior High field on Thursday afternoon.  Junior 1B Sarah Moore had a double and a single while sophomore 2B Christy Cotter added a pair of singles and two runs scored for the winning Lady Tigers.

The Raiders got off to a good start when shortstop Dana Hughes hit a long home run over the right center field fence to give SV a 1-0 lead after one half inning.  The Lady Tigers came back in the bottom of the first to tie the game with help from the Raiders.  With one out, Cotter reached on an error.  After a wild pitch moved Cotter to second, junior CF Kelsey Fedell followed with a single to left field that moved Cotter to third.  With two outs, senior RF Katie Polley reached on a throwing error to first base that allowed Cotter to score.  After one inning, the teams were tied at 1-1. 

In the top of the third, 3B Lauren Hunt walked to lead off the inning for the Raiders.  After a ground out and a strike out, 2B Jackie Mangola dropped a double just inside the right field line that scored Hunt to give Seneca a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the inning.  NA threatened but did not score in the bottom of the third.  With two outs, SV pitcher Courtney Grootegoed walked Fedell and Moore.  Polley followed with a base hit to right field, but Fedell was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.  Seneca Valley held a 2-1 advantage after three innings.

After Tritinger allowed only a harmless two-out single in the top of the fourth, the Lady Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the inning.  Junior Julie Heinl beat out an infield single to lead off the inning.  Cassidy followed with a looper into right center field, but Heinl was thrown out at second base for the first out.  After a strike out, junior SS Mary DeMino lined a base hit up the middle with Cassidy moving to second.  Junior DP Jane Miner was then walked to load the bases.  Cotter hit a slow roller along the third base line for a base hit that scored Cassidy with the tying run.  Grootegoed was able to get a ground out to end the inning.  After four innings, the teams were tied at 2-2. 

Tritinger retired the side in order in the top of the fifth.  In the bottom of the inning, Moore led off with a long double to deep left center field.  After two outs, junior 3B Steph Cassidy hit a line drive into the left center field gap for another double that scored Moore with the go ahead run.  The Lady Tigers held a 3-2 lead after five innings of play.

Once again, Tritinger got the side in order in the top of the sixth.  In the bottom of the inning with Ashley Kuhn pitching for SV, DeMino led off with an infield single and then stole second.  Miner followed with a good bunt to sacrifice DeMino to third with one out.  DeMino scored on a wild pitch to give NA a 4-2 lead.  Cotter followed with an infield single and also stole second.  Fedell grounded to short and was thrown out at first.  On the play, Cotter went to third and scored when the throw to third rolled down the left field line.  Moore followed with a base hit to center, but Kuhn got a ground out to end the inning.

In the top of the seventh, LF Kelsey Gray reached on an error.  Tritinger got the next two outs on ground outs to end the game.  It was a good effort by the Lady Tigers who got contributions from a number of players in the victory.  For his efforts in the pitching circle, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Deanna Tritinger as the Player of the Game.

With the win, NA improved their section record to 4-4 on the season.  The Lady Tigers will travel to Montour tomorrow for an 11:00 am non-section contest.

Photo Gallery

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  SENECA VALLEY - 2

WP - Deanna Tritinger   LP - Courtney Grootegoed

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WPIAL SOFTBALL - 2008

The Lady Tigers will compete again in the WPIAL in Class AAAA along with 25 other teams.  The top three teams in each section will enter the WPIAL Tournament.  All playoff entries will be determined by section record only and will be determined by the best section won/lost record.  Teams that tie for first place will not have the tie broken and ALL of the tied teams will be declared section champions, will receive a section plaque and will be entered into the WPIAL tournament.  If three or more teams tie for first place, only those teams will qualify for the playoffs.

In the event of a multiple team tie (two or more teams) for a playoff position, head-to-head competition will be the first determinant.  If head-to-head does not break the tie, the following tie-breaking system will be used.  If three or more teams are tied for the second place and the tie breaking system identifies one team as the second place team, the remaining teams will be then tied for third place and the process begins all over with head-to-head being the first determinant for establishing the third place team.  If a tie cannot be broken, all tied teams will enter the playoffs.  In the event of multiple ties, the following tie-breaking system will be employed:

a.  Section won-lost records of the tied teams will be compiled.
b.  The team with the best numerical head-to-head section record among the tied teams will enter post-season play.
c.  If the tie cannot be broken, all tied teams will enter post-season play.

The two WPIAL finalists in Quad A will represent the WPIAL in PIAA inter-district play.

POSTPONED GAMES MUST BE PLAYED IN ORDER OF POSTPONEMENT AND SCHEDULED ON THE FIRST COMMON AVAILABLE DATE.  MAKE UP WPIAL SECTION GAMES MUST HAVE PREFERENCE OVER EXHIBITION GAMES, JV, AND JUNIOR HIGH GAMES.  ALL GAMES POSTPONED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON MUST BE RESCHEDULED AND PLAYED PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND HALF IF POSSIBLE.

During all WPIAL section competition, any game that is interrupted by bad weather prior to becoming a legal game will be declared a suspended game and resumed at that point and concluded on the next available playing date.

The Ten Run/Fifteen Run Rule will be in effect for all WPIAL softball games.  It reads:
If a team is ahead by ten runs or more at the end of five innings the game shall be terminated.  This also means if the home team is ahead by ten runs after four and one-half innings, the game will be terminated.  Thereafter, if one team should go ahead by ten runs, the same rule must apply.  If the visiting team should go ahead by ten runs after the game has become official, the home team will be permitted to bat in their half of the inning.  The same procedure applies at the end of three innings if a team is ahead by fifteen runs or more.

WPIAL Championship play is scheduled to begin the week of May 12, 2008.  The finals will be played Thursday, May 29, 2008 with a rain date of Friday, May 30, 2008.  The site will be California University, Callifornia, PA.

CLASS AAAA - 26 TEAMS

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