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THREE LADY TIGERS NAMED TO ALL-SECTION TEAM

Three members of the Lady Tigers softball team were chosen for the Class AAAA Section 3 All-Star team as announced by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  Senior 2B Christy Cotter, senior pitcher/shortstop Amber Steenbeke and junior outfielder Hannah Jones were named to the team as selected by the P-G Scholastic Sports staff.  Cotter was also named to the PG North Softball All-Stars.

WPIAL CLASS AAA SECTION 3 ALL-STARS
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PG NORTH SOFTBALL ALL-STARS
Pittsburgh All-Stars

* - Player of the Year

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 Photo Courtesy of Coach Pereira

COACHES, PLAYERS END SEASON "IN STYLE"

          In the first annual Coaches vs. Players End-of-Season Softball game, the North Allegheny coaching staff prevailed over the players in a hard-fought, fun-filled game, 15-10.  Members of the North Allegheny Varsity Team “dressed for the occasion” in a variety of unique attire and played a variety of positions as the game progressed.  For the coaches, participants included Casey Benson, Dan Coleman, Rick Meister, Leslie Mills, Joe Pereira, Warren Pirring, Jim Popinski, Jill Spargo, Stephanie Spisak, and in a special guest appearance, Chris Macey.  The excellent  Spirit of the Game typified the Spirit of the Season.  Thanks to all who participated, and a special thanks to our umpires, Tom Steenbeke and Dean Tritinger.  Well done, all!

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LATE RALLY KNOCKS LADY TIGERS FROM WPIAL PLAYOFFS, 6-2

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

With the score tied, 2-2, in the fifth inning, Connellsville scored three times on their way to a 6-2 win over NA in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Quad A tournament at Shaler's Hilltop Field on Tuesday afternoon.  Junior LF Hannah Jones had a home run and single for the Lady Tigers but it was not enough as the Falcons held off NA for the win.

In the top of the first inning, senior 2B Christy Cotter singled but did not score.  In the top of the second, senior RHP Amber Steenbeke led off with a single.  With courtesy runner Anna Williams running, Jones sacrificed her to second.  After a wild pitch moved Williams to third, junior RF Haley Wisniewski walked.  With Wisniewski running, the throw from the Falcon catcher sailed into center field allowing Williams to score.  After a conference in the pitcher's circle, Falcon right hander Meghan Uher got a strike out and fly end to end the inning.  NA led, 1-0, after an inning and a half. 

After the Lady Tigers went in order in the third, the Falcons rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead.  With one out, Julie Cramer beat out an infield single, and Cassie Show followed with a base hit to center field.  With two outs, Alena Dragovich lined a double into the left center field gap that scored both runners.  After three innings, Connellsville held a 2-1 advantage.  In the top of the fourth with one out, Jones drove a home run over the center field fence to tie the game at 2-2.  In the top of the fifth, sophomore Jordan Macey singled to left field but was erased on a double play as the game remained tied.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Falcons took the lead for good.  After Julie Cramer led of with a single to right field, Show followed with her third hit of the game, a single to right field.  After a fly out, Dragovich lifted a fly ball down the left field line that fell for a double driving in Julie Cramer.  Brianna Cramer followed with another base hit driving in two more runs and making it a 5-2 Falcon lead after five innings of play. 

After the Tigers went out in order in the top of the sixth, the Falcons added another run off NA senior relief pitcher Deanna Tritinger.  After Madeleine Keller doubled to right center field, Katie Hall singled up the middle to score Keller.  Tritinger was able to get out of the inning without further scoring but the Falcons took a 6-2 lead into the seventh.  Jones led off the top of the seventh with a hard single to left field.  Uher was able to get the next three hitters to end the game with Falcons taking home the 6-2 victory.  The Tigers gave a good effort but fell just short.  For her contributions at the plate, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Hannah Jones as the Player of the Game.

The loss ended the Lady Tiger season with a final record of 14-7 on the year.  Connellsville advanced to the semifinals to meet Mt. Lebanon on Thursday.

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
CONNELLSVILLE - 6  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 2

WP - Meghan Uher  LP - Amber Steenbeke (8-2)

2010 WPIAL QUAD A SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

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TIGERS FINISH SPARTANS, 3-1;
THE PLAYOFFS WILL BE STARTIN’

by Rick Meister

The North Allegheny Varsity Softball Team finished the regular portion of their season yesterday by traveling to Montour, where they defeated the host Spartans, 3-1, behind the combined four-hit pitching of senior starter Deanna Tritinger, who went three strong innings, and senior reliever Amber Steenbeke, who pitched the final four innings to pick up her eighth win of the season against only one loss. Both pitchers were supported by solid defensive play and key hits cashing Tiger runs.North Allegheny struck early, tallying two runs in the top of the first inning.  Senior second baseman Christy Cotter led off and reached first on an infield error.  Junior right fielder Haley Wisniewski executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance Cotter to second.  Junior third baseman Kelsey Birsic singled to left field to push Cotter to third. Birsic took second on a Montour throw to the plate.  Junior first baseman Toni Miller then stepped up and crushed a double to deep right-center field to drive in both Cotter and Birsic with the game’s first two runs.

The Tigers added run number three in the top of the third.  Birsic placed a two-out single to right-center field and then stole second. Once again, Miller responded with a single to center field to drive Birsic home.

Montour got its only run in the bottom of the third when first baseman Tori Roman led off with a single to right field.  A single to left field by pitcher Kaitlyn Kutchman moved Roman to second.  Courtesy runner Alexa Fazenbaker ran for Kutchman.  Shortstop Maria Scarantino’s sacrifice moved both runners, and third baseman Paige Deley hit a sharp single to center field.  Roman scored on the hit, but a perfect throw by sophomore center fielder Jordan Macey and a tough tag by senior catcher Maria Shevchik nailed Fazenbaker at the plate.

Pitching and defense then took over, and the score remained 3-1 throughout the rest of the contest.   With the win, North Allegheny finished the regular portion of the season with a record of fourteen wins and six losses.  The Tigers, who finished in second place with a section record of 7-3, one game behind Shaler in Section 3-AAAA, await their playoff draw, which will be determined on Thursday.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY – 3  MONTOUR – 1

 WP - Amber Steenbeke (8-1)  LP - Kaitlyn Kutchman

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PETERS TOWNSHIP EDGES LADY TIGERS, 3-1

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

On a brutal day for softball at the Senior High field, the Peters Township Indians scored twice in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie on their way to a 3-1 non-section victory over the Lady Tigers.  With a strong wind and cold temperatures dominating play, senior SS Amber Steenbeke had two of the three NA hits, including a double.  Junior LF Haley Wisniewski doubled for the third Tiger hit.

The Indians took the lead early with a run in the top of the first.  After Paige Burris led off with a base hit to left field, senior RHP Deanna Tritinger got Julianne Taylor on a ground out to first with Burris moving to second.  Morgan Matetic followed with a double into the left center field gap that scored Burris.  Matetic was thrown out at third trying to stretch the double into a triple.  A strike out ended the top of the inning with Peters Township holding a 1-0 lead.  In the bottom of the first, Steenbeke reached on a wind blown pop up that PT pitcher Tara Konopka could not catch.  The Indian righthander got a strike out to end the inning, however, to maintain the 1-0 lead.

Neither team was able to score in the second and third innings.  In the top of the fourth, the Indians threatened.  After Matetic walked to lead off, Stephanie Lusk was retired on a fly ball to center field.  Kelsey Cunningham followed with a base hit to center filed.  Ashley Parello then grounded to short but the throw to third was off line loading the bases.  Lindsay Hoover then grounded to junior 3B Ashley Briskey who throw home to senior catcher Maria Shevchik for the second out.  Tritinger retired Tori Johnson on a fly ball to sophomore CF Jordan Macey to end the inning and keep it a one-run game.  In the bottom of the fourth, NA tied the score.  After Steenbeke led off with a double down the left field line, junior 1B Toni Miller grounded out to first with junior pinch runner Erin Norwig moving to third.  After junior DP Hannah Jones lined out to short, Norwig was able to score on a wild pitch to tie the game at 1-1.

After neither team score in the fifth, sophomore Matti Huckestein came in to pitch for NA, her first varsity appearance.  Lusk led off with a walk, but Huckestein got Cunningham on a fly ball to right field.  After Parello walked, Hoover singled to right field to load the bases.  Parello then scored on a wild pitch to give the Indians a 2-1 lead.  Hoover followed with a single to right field, but pinch runner Katie Makowski was thrown out at third in a rundown for the second out.  After Olivia Bovalina walked, relief pitcher Morgan Meadows reached on an error.  Burris followed with an RBI single, but another runner was caught in a rundown between third and home and tagged out by Briskey at third.  The Indians had scored a pair of runs in the inning to take a 3-1 lead.  In the bottom of the sixth, Wisniewski led off with a hard double past short stop that rolled to the wall in left center field for a double.  Meadows got the next two outs on a ground ball to the pitcher and a strike out with Wisniewski moving to third.  After Jones drew a walk, Meadows was able to get an inning ending strike out.  After six innings of play, Peters Township held a 3-1 advantage.

After Huckestein got the side in order in the top of the inning, Meadows was able to do the same in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the victory.  It was a tough game to play but both teams were able to make plays despite the strong winds.  For her efforts at the plate, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Amber Steenbeke as the Player of the Game.  The loss dropped the overall NA record to 13-6 on the season.  The Lady Tigers will complete regular season play with a trip to Montour on Monday afternoon for a 3:30 pm non-section contest.

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
PETERS TOWNSHIP - 3  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1

WP - Morgan Meadows (8-0)  LP - Matti Huckestein (0-1)

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BULLDOGS BLAST LADY TIGERS, 8-1, ON SENIOR NIGHT

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The Lady Tiger seniors were honored before Thursday night's non-section game with Poland Seminary from Ohio.  In the game, Poland's sophomore RHP Erin Gabriel limited NA to just three hits while striking out 17 in an 8-1 victory for the Bulldogs over the Lady Tigers.  Sophomore CF Jordan Macey had the only NA extra base hit, a double to the fence in right center field.  A five-run fifth inning broke open a close 2-1 contest.

The Bulldogs scored first with a run in the top of the first inning.  After Gabriel led off with a base hit to right center field, Jordan Palumbo sacrificed courtesy runner Meredith Testa to second.  A ground out moved Testa to third and a wild pitch allowed her to score the game's first run.  The Lady Tigers answered with a run in the bottom of the first.  With one out, junior RF Jenna Darrah beat out an infield single.  With two outs, senior SS Amber Steenbeke dropped a base hit into left field.  Senior catcher Maria Shevchik struck out but reached base when the ball was not handled by the catcher.  Senior RHP Deanna Tritinger followed with a walk that forced in a run to tie the game at 1-1 after one inning of play.

In the top of the second, Poland took the lead for good.  After Nicole White walked to lead off, Jessica D'Apolito sacrificed her to second.  An error in the infield allowed Emily Chandler to reach base with White moving to third.  Shortstop Kalie Benson followed with a base hit to short left field that scored White.  After a walk, Tritinger got the third out on a fly ball to right center field that was caught by Darrah.  The Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the second.    Gabriel retired the next ten batters she faced, seven on strike outs.  Tritinger matched Gabriel over the next two innings as Poland continued to hold the 2-1 lead into the fifth inning. 

The fifth inning was a disaster for NA.  After Gabriel led off with a line drive double to right center field, Palumbo dropped down a bunt single with CR Testa moving to third.  A walk loaded the bases and Adriana Sikora followed with deep fly ball to left field that was dropped allowing a run to score.  White then doubled home a pair of runs to increase the PS lead to 5-1.  With two outs, Benson singled to score Sikora.  Megan Hirschbeck followed with another RBI base hit as the Bulldogs took a 7-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth.  With one out in the bottom of the inning, Macey hit a long drive to the fence in right center field for a double.  Gabriel was able to get the next two batters on a pop up to the catcher and a strikeout to end the threat. 

Steenbeke came in to pitch in the sixth and got the side in order.  Gabriel followed by striking out the side in the bottom of the inning.  In the top of the seventh, the Bulldogs added an additional run.  With one out, pinch hitter Allison Covan singled, and pinch hitter Meredith Testa followed with another base hit.  After Hirschbeck reached on an error, Gabriel drilled a single to right center field to score Covan to make it an 8-1 game.  On the next play, PH Maura Bobby bounced to senior 3B Kelsey Birsic who threw home to get the runner on a force play.  Shevchik's throw to third was in time to double the runner from second to end the inning in a 5-2-6 double play.  In the bottom of the seventh, Gabriel finished the night by striking out two of the final three batters as the Bulldogs completed the 8-1 victory.

It was a tough night for the Lady Tigers against a top pitcher.  For her two-base hit, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Jordan Macey as the Player of the Game.  With the loss, the overall NA record fell to 13-5 on the season.  The victory improved the Poland record to 22-1.  The Lady Tigers will host Peters Township tomorrow in another non-section game in preparation for the upcoming WPIAL playoffs.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 11:45 am.  Game time is scheduled for 12:00 noon.

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
POLAND SEMINARY - 8   NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1

WP - Erin Gabriel  LP - Deanna Tritinger (6-4)

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TIGERS GIVE TRIBE 0 ON CINCO DE MAYO
WHILE SCORING CINCO…OH, MY, OH

by Rick Meister

The North Allegheny Varsity Softball Team traveled to Scharmyn Park last night to take on the North Hills Indians on Senior Night.  Following the festivities, North Allegheny rode the one-hit, nine-strikeout pitching of senior Amber Steenbeke and a four-run first inning explosion to down the Indians, 5-0.

In the first, senior second baseman Christy Cotter opened the game with a walk. Following a sacrifice by junior right fielder Haley Wisniewski that moved Cotter to second, junior Kelsey Birsic was safe at first on a strikeout on a ball into the dirt which eluded the North Hills catcher.  On the play, Cotter moved to third.  Birsic stole second, and both Cotter and Birsic were driven across the plate on junior first baseman Toni Miller’s single to left-center field, with Miller taking second on the play at the plate.  Steenbeke followed with a single to right center to push Miller to third.  Junior courtesy runner Anna Williams ran for Steenbeke and stole second.  Junior left fielder Hannah Jones then hit a ground ball to shortstop.  Miller scored on the fielder’s choice play at the plate as Williams advanced to third.  Jones continued running and was out at second base, but on the play, Williams came in with Tiger run number four.

The only hit for North Hills came on a solid double into deep right-center field by shortstop Carlie Mundie in the bottom of the fourth inning.  The Tigers added their fifth run in the top of the fifth.  Junior center fielder Jordan Macey hit a long double to left-center field.  Cotter singled to center, but Macey was cut down at the plate on a strong throw, with Cotter advancing to second on the play.  During Wisniewski’s at bat, Cotter ran a delayed steal of third base.  Wisniewski worked a walk, allowing Birsic to hit an RBI single to center field to bring Cotter home with run number five.

With the win, North Allegheny raised their overall record to 13-4 and clinched sole possession of second place in Section3-AAAA with a record of 7-3, one game behind Shaler, who finished section play at 8-2.  The Tigers are back in action tonight for Senior Night vs. Poland (OH) Seminary.  Game time is scheduled for 6:30 PM following the senior recognition ceremonies.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  NORTH HILLS - 0

 WP - Amber Steenbeke (7-1)  LP - Jess Rectenwald

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LADY TIGERS WEATHER TORNADO, 4-3

by Rick Meister

The North Allegheny Varsity Softball Team hosted the Butler Golden Tornado last night, and emerged from the storm with an important 4-3 victory.  For the Tigers, senior pitcher Amber Steenbeke picked up her sixth win of the season against just one loss with a complete game seven-strikeout one-walk performance.

Butler struck first in the top of the first when shortstop Cate Baxter lined the first pitch of the game off the left field fence for a double, advanced to third on a fielder’s choice, and scored on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Amanda Skidmore.

North Allegheny answered with three first-inning runs to take a lead that they would never surrender.  Senior second baseman Christy Cotter led off with a solid single to left field. With one out, junior third baseman Kelsey Birsic singled to center, sending Cotter to second.  Steenbeke then lined a double to left center to plate Cotter and send Birsic to third.  Junior first baseman Toni Miller then doubled down the left field line to drive in both Birsic and junior courtesy runner Jenna Darrah, running for Steenbeke.

Butler added a run in the top of the third on a single by pitcher Angie Reddick and an RBI double into the left field corner by Skidmore.  The Tigers, however, answered with one in the bottom half of the inning.  Birsic doubled down the right field line and took third on an errant throw by Butler.  With one out, Miller again came through, this time with an RBI single to center field to make the score 4-2.

Butler got close in the top of the fifth on a leadoff single by right fielder Dani Lloyd.  Lloyd was sacrificed to second, and scored on an RBI single to right by Reddick.  Neither team scored the rest of the way, and NA walked off with the 4-3 victory.

With the win, NA raised its overall record to 12-4 and its Section 3-AAAA record to 6-3.  The Tigers will next see action on Wednesday evening, when they travel to Scharmyn Park to take on the North Hills Indians in a 7:00 PM start.

Photo Gallery

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY – 4  BUTLER – 3

 WP - Amber Steenbeke (6-1)  LP - Angie Reddick

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LADY TIGERS FALL SHORT AGAINST RAMS, 5-4

by Rick Meister

The North Allegheny Varsity Softball Team traveled to Pine-Richland yesterday, and were defeated by the host Rams, 5-4. For the second consecutive day, North Allegheny was unable to come up with key hits to tally Tiger base runners, as NA left eight runners on base in the one-run defeat. 

Pine-Richland took control of the game early when leadoff batter Kat Rausch lined a double to deep right-center field.  Third baseman Jess Marfisi singled to center to send Rausch to third.  After catcher Molly King worked a walk, shortstop Erin Straw doubled to deep left center to clear the bases.  Center fielder Megan Okuda then singled to right center to plate Straw with run number four.   With still no one out, senior shortstop Amber Steenbeke then was called to the mound to pitch in relief and prevented further scoring.

In the top of the second, junior third baseman Kelsey Birsic dropped a single down the right field line. Junior first baseman Toni Miller then singled to right center to send Birsic to third, from where she scored on senior second baseman Christy Cottter’s RBI single to right field, which made the score 4-1.  Pine-Richland answered with what would be their final run of the contest in the bottom of the second. First baseman Rene Clark singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  King’s RBI single to right made it a 5-1 Ram advantage.

The Tigers got close in the top of the fifth, but could only pull to within one run.  Junior left fielder Hannah Jones led off the inning with a long triple to right-center field.   Steenbeke reached on an infield single, with Jones having to hold third on the play.  Junior courtesy runner Erin Norwig ran for Steenbeke.  Miller then singled to drive in Jones and send Norwig to third.  Junior pinch runner Makiala Yates ran for Miller and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Cotter’s single scored Norwig.  Senior catcher Maria Shevchik then beat out an infield roller, and on a subsequent misplay of the ball by Pine-Richland, Yates was able to cross the plate to narrow the margin to 5-4.

NA had one final chance in the top of the seventh when Birsic hit a one-out single through the mound.  A fielder’s choice and a strikeout ended the last opportunity, and the Tigers absorbed their second defeat in as many days to fall to 5-3 in Section 3-AAAA play and 11-4 overall.  The team will next see action on Monday night when they host Butler at the NASH Softball Field in a scheduled 7:00 PM start.

GAME SUMMARY
PINE-RICHLAND – 5  NORTH ALLEGHENY – 4

 WP - Hayley Morgan  LP - Deanna Tritinger (6-3_

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SHALER STOPS TIGERS, 10-2, TO TAKE OVER
FIRST PLACE IN SECTION

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

The Shaler Titans dominated the Lady Tigers in a 10-2 victory at the Senior High field on Tuesday night in a batlte for first place in Section 3-AAAA.  Shaler pounded out 15 hits in the win.  NA posted 11 hits led by junior LF Hannah Jones with three but left 12 runners on base in the loss.  Senior second baseman Christy Cotter had a double and single for the Lady Tigers.

Shaler jumped off to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first.  With one out, Jess Vannucci reached on a bad hop single into the left field.  Chelsey Siar followed with a home run over the left field fence to give the Titans a 2-0 lead.  The next two batters were hit by pitches.  After a force play for the second out, Titan pitcher Abby Richter singled to left field to drive in one run, but a good throw by junior LF Hannah Jones to senior catcher Maria Shevchik nailed Britt De Fazio at the plate.  Shaler took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the first.  In the top of the second, Shaler made it 4-0.  With one out, Gina Goss, Vannucci and Siar all hit singles to load the bases.  Senior Amber Steenbeke came in to pitch for NA.  Lauren Hackett lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Goss with the fourth run.  Steenbeke struck out Holly Pefferman to end the inning.

The Lady Tigers came back with a run in the bottom of the second.  With one out, Cotter reached left field on a double when the ball was misplayed by the Shaler fielder.  Jones followed with a base hit to left field that scored Cotter to make it a 4-1 game.  Steenbeke retired the side in order in the third and fourth innings.  The Lady Tigers rallied to cut the lead to two in the bottom of the fourth.  Senior 1B Toni Miller singled to right field to lead off.  Cotter followed with a base hit to right field but pinch runner Haley Wisniewski was thrown out after overrunning second base.  Jones then beat out an infield single and Shevchik walked to load the bases.  Junior PH Ashley Briskey singled to left field to score Cotter and make it a 4-2 game.  Nichter was able to get a pair of ground balls with force outs at the plate to end the inning.

The Titans extended the lead in the top of the fifth.  Three consecutive doubles by Siar, Hackett and Pefferman scored a pair of runs and a sac fly by DeFazio another as Shaler took a 7-2 lead.  In the bottom of the fifth, NA threatened with a pair of runners on base as Steenbeke singled and Miller reached on an error.  Once again, Nichter got out of trouble with a pair of ground balls outs.  Shaler added another run in the top of the sixth on consecutive singles by Vannucci, Siar and Hackett to make it an 8-2 game going into the bottom of the sixth.  The Lady Tigers loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth but could not score.  After Shevchik reached on an error, junior Anna Williams went in as the courtesy runner.  With one out, sophomore CF Jordan Macey singled to center field.  Junior RF Jenna Darrah followed with an infield single.  As she had done all game, however, Richter got two more ground balls to end the threat.

In the top of the seventh, Shaler added two unearned runs.  With one out, Jamie Roth reached on an error with Maddie Mulig coming back into the game to run.  With two outs, Samantha Montoya singled.  After a walk, Vannucci singled home a run.  A second run scored on an NA throwing error.  Shaler took the commanding 10-2 lead into the bottom of the inning.   In the bottom of the seventh, Jones beat out an infield hit with two outs, but Nichter got a game ending strikeout to secure the win.

It was a tough loss for the Lady Tigers who fell behind early and battled hard all night to try to catch up.  For her efforts at the plate and in the field, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Hannah Jones as the Player of the Game.  With the loss, the NA section record fell to 5-2, the overall mark to 11-3 on the season.  The Lady Tigers will travel to Pine-Richland tomorrow afternoon for a 4:00 pm section contest.

Box Score
Photo Gallery

GAME SUMMARY
SHALER - 10  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 2

WP - Abby Richter  LP - Deanna Tritinger (6-2)

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LADY TIGERS BLAST McDOWELL, 13-5

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

The Lady Tigers pounded out 18 hits to upend the visitors from Erie on Saturday afternoon at the Senior High field.  After the Trojans had the game tied at 5-5, NA six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to put away the victory.  Senior 2B Christy Cotter and senior RHP Amber Steenbeke led the way with a double and two singles each while senior catcher Maria Shevchik  and junior CF Haley Wisniewski added three base hits each to the NA total.

McDowell threatened in the top of the first when Kelli Rohan led off with a bunt single.  After one out, Brooke Nicholson drew a walk.  Steenbeke came back to get a strike out and fly out to end the threat. In the bottom of the first, it was NA's turn to threaten.  Sophomore CF Jordan Macey led off with a single up the middle and went to second on a wild pitch.  With one out, Steenbeke singled to center field but Macey was caught in a rundown between third and home and tagged out.  The next two batters hit into fielders' choices to end the inning with no score in the game. 

After Steenbeke got the side in order in the top of the second, the Lady Tigers took the lead in the bottom of the inning.  Cotter led off and then advanced around the bases on three wild pitches to score the game's first run.  After a walk by junior LF Hannah Jones and a stolen base, Shevchik singled in Jones to make it 2-0.  Courtesy runner Makiala Yates went to third and then scored on a throwing error by the McDowell first baseman.  Trojan pitcher Taylor Russell got the next three outs, but the Tigers had taken a 3-0 lead.

In the third, Brenna Cosgrove led off with a double to right field.  With one out, Cosgrove scored on an NA infield error to cut the lead to 3-1.  NA answered in the bottom of the inning.  After Steenbeke lined a double off the right center field fence, senior 3B Kelsey Birsic walked.  With one out, Cotter singled to center field driving in junior courtesy runner Erin Norwig to make it a 4-1 game after three innings.  Some shoddy defensive play by the Tigers allowed McDowell to take a 5-4 lead after the top of the fourth.  After a single by Rayann Seager, Russell struck out.  Emily Peterniti then walked.  Seager scored on an error in right field to cut the lead to 4-2.  After Cosgrove singled to right field,, Paterniti scored on another error in the NA outfield.  Alex Pagano followed with an RBI single and Emily Burns a sac fly to center field and suddenly the Trojans had a 5-4 lead going into the bottom of the fourth.

The Tigers tied the game in the fourth and took the lead in the fifth.  In the bottom of the fourth inning, Wisniewski reached on a bunt single.  Junior RF Jenna Darrah followed with an infield single.  After a strike out and force play, junior 1B Toni Miller reached on an error with Darrah scoring the tying run on the miscue.  After Steenbeke got the side in order in the top of the fifth, NA took over in the bottom of the inning.  After Shevchik opened with a single to left field, Yates came in to run.  Sophomore SS Stephanie Hnat followed with a sacrifice bunt but was safe at first on a throwing error.  After Yates scored on a wild pitch to give NA the lead, Wisniewski drove in another run with a single up the middle.  With one out, Steenbeke singled to load the bases.  An error by the Trojan shortstop allowed another run to score.  Miller followed with a long double to center field to drive in two more runs as NA took an 11-5 lead into the sixth inning.

In the top of the sixth with two outs, Leanna Golembiewski singled followed by Cosgrove's third hit of the game.  Steenbeke then got two ground outs to end the inning.  In the bottom of the sixth, the Lady Tigers added two more runs.  With one out, senior Tess Kolarik doubled.  Wisniewski followed with a base hit to put runners on first and third.  Norwig followed with an RBI single.  With two outs, junior PH Ashley Briskey singled home another run to give NA a commanding 13-5 advantage going into the top of the seventh.  Steenbeke retired the side in order in the seventh to pick up her fifth victory of the season with just one loss.

It was not a classic contest with a total of ten errors committed by the two teams.  The Tigers batting attack, however, took care of the outcome.  For her efforts at the plate, the North Allegheny Sports Network named Christy Cotter as the Player of the Game.

With the win, NA improved their overall record to 11-2 on the season.  The Lady Tigers will host Shaler tomorrow night in a battle for first place in Section 3-AAAA.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 pm.  Game time is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

Box Score
Photo Gallery

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 13  ERIE McDOWELL - 5

WP - Amber Steenbeke (5-1)  LP - Taylor Russell

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LADY TIGERS OUTLAST RAIDERS, 5-4, IN EIGHT INNINGS

by Rick Meister

The North Allegheny Varsity Softball Team traveled north to Harmony, PA, and returned with a hard-fought 5-4 extra inning victory over the Seneca Valley Raiders.  Prior to the game, both teams joined in a ceremony honoring local Veterans for their contributions to our nation’s freedom.

The Tigers struck first in the top of the third inning when junior center fielder Jordan Macey hit a one-out single to center field.  Macey stole second, and after two were out, senior shortstop Amber Steenbeke ripped a double to right-center field to score Macey and give NA a 1-0 lead.  The Tigers added run number two in the top of the fourth.  With one out, senior second baseman Christy Cotter singled to center field and stole second.  Junior left fielder Hannah Jones then hit a long double to center field to bring Cotter home and give NA a 2-0 advantage.

The Raiders answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth when first baseman Megan Boletko led off with a double, advanced to third on an infield single by pitcher Emily Watson, and scored on a fielder’s choice hit by right fielder Lauren Davies.

The Tigers added what proved to be a vital run in the top of the seventh.  Senior catcher Maria Shevchik opened with a single to center field.  Junior courtesy runner Anna Williams ran for Shevchik, and was advanced to second on a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by junior pinch hitter Haley Wisniewski.  Macey hit into a 6-3 fielder’s choice, but on the attempt to get Williams at third, the throw went into dead ball territory, allowing Williams to score and make the score 3-1.

Seneca Valley, however, rallied to tie in the bottom of the seventh.  Catcher Alyssa DeMaria beat out a slow infield roller to the left of the mound.  A single by third baseman Lauren Hunt sent DeMaria to third.  Following a fly ball to center field with both runners holding, Boletko lofted a fly ball down the right field lie which barely eluded junior right fielder Jenna Darrah, who made a valiant diving effort on the play.  Both runners scored to tie the game at three.

In the top of the eighth, Steenbeke led off with a single.  Junior pinch runner Erin Norwig ran for Steenbeke, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. A one-out single by junior first baseman Toni Miller sent Norwig to third.  Junior pinch runner Makiala Yates ran for Miller.  Yates stole second, and with two outs Jones once again came through with a single to left center field, scoring both Norwig and Yates, who got in with an agile piece of base running to elude Seneca’s defensive efforts. 

The bottom of the eighth was fittingly dramatic, as the Raiders did not go quietly.  With one out, left fielder Erin Mullen singled to right field.  A double by designated player Sara Mantick drove in Mullen to bring the Raiders to within one run.  At this point, Steenbeke relieved Tritinger.  A wild pitch sent the tying run to third, but Steenbeke got Miller on a called third strike for out number two.  DeMaria worked a walk.  On the first pitch to Hunt, the Tigers ran a cut play in the infield, with Shevchik throwing to a cutting Cotter, who deftly handled the throw and made a perfect return throw to Shevchik, who applied a solid tag on Mantick to end the game and give North Allegheny a thrilling win over a Seneca Valley team who played a solid, emotional game as well.

With the win, North Allegheny raised its Section 3-AAAA record to 5-1 and its overall record to 10-2.  The Tigers will host Erie McDowell at noon Saturday at the NASH Softball Field in a non-section contest.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY – 5  SENECA VALLEY – 4

WP – Deanna Tritinger (6-1)  LP – Emily Watson  S – Amber Steenbeke (1)

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LADY TIGERS GAIN THE VERDICT AT BUTLER, 9-3

by Rick Meister

The North Allegheny Varsity Softball Team traveled to Butler and came home with a convincing 9-3 victory over the Golden Tornado behind the combined seven-hit pitching of senior starter Amber Steenbeke and senior reliever Deanna Tritinger, who split the pitching duties.  The Tiger offense was highlighted by senior catcher Maria Shevchik’s three runs batted in, including a two-run fifth inning homerun over the left-center field fence.

Butler struck first in the bottom of inning number two when first baseman Amanda Skidmore homered over the right-center field fence.  The score remained 1-0 until the top of the fourth, when NA tallied twice to take the lead.  Steenbeke led off the inning with a double and came home on an RBI single from junior first baseman Toni Miller.  Senior second baseman Christy Cotter was safe at first on a fielder’s choice, erasing Miller. Junior left fielder Hannah Jones hit a single to advance Cotter to second.  Shevchik’s single to center field plated Cotter with the second run of the inning.

In the North Allegheny fifth, the Tigers put it away with a six run outburst, all of which occurred with two outs and no one on base.  Steenbeke reached on an infield error, and junior third baseman Kelsey Birsic then singled Steenbeke to second.  Junior pinch runner Makiala Yates ran for Steenbeke.  Miller again came up with the big hit, an RBI single to score Yates and send Birsic to third, with Miller taking second on the attempt to get Birsic at third.  Cotter then just barely missed a homerun, but her hit off of the left field fence was enough to score both Birsic and Miller. Jones then singled to drive in Cotter.  That set the stage for Shevchik’s home run, and NA had a lead of 8-1.

In the bottom of the sixth Butler tallied twice on three singles and three “illegal pitches” each of which advanced runners.  The illegal pitches were three (numbers five, six, and seven) of the eight called in total against Steenbeke and Tritinger, with four each, the only illegal pitches called on the Tigers in their first eleven games. 

North Allegheny added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on consecutive singles by Birsic, Miller, and Cotter, who picked up the RBI, to set the final margin of 9-3.  In the bottom of the seventh a one-out single by Skidmore kept the Tornado hopes alive, but following her advancement to second base on illegal pitch number eight, Tritinger retired the final two Butler hitters on a fly to junior right fielder Jenna Darrah and a game-ending strikeout.

With the win, North Allegheny raised its Section3-AAAA record to 4-1 and its overall record to 9-2.  The Tigers will travel to Seneca Valley on Friday to meet the Raiders in a 4:00 start. 

Photo Gallery

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY – 9  BUTLER – 3

WP – Deanna Tritinger (5-1)  LP – Angela Reddick

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WPIAL SOFTBALL - 2010

The Lady Tigers will compete again in the WPIAL in Class AAAA along with 24 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/loss 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 winner's 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 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 competition being the first determinant for establishing the third place team.  If a tie cannot be broken all tied teams will enter the playoffs.

TIE-BREAKING SYSTEM

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 clearly 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, 2010.  The finals will be played Thursday, June 3, 2010, with a rain date of Friday, June 4, 2010.  The site will be California University, California, PA.  The WPIAL reserves the right to make adjustments to play dates during the tournament, as it deems necessary.

CLASS AAAA - 25 TEAMS

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