Slow-Pitch Softball News

by: Slow-Pitch Softball Contributor

The North Allegheny Tigers dropped Game 1 of their series against Hempfield on Sunday, falling by a 13-5 margin.

After two scoreless innings, Hempfield broke through in the top of the third with six runs, then added three more in the fourth and one in the fifth to build a commanding lead. North Allegheny responded in the bottom of the fifth and the teams traded runs for the remainder of the contest, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

Viola Laswell started in the circle for the Tigers, working all seven innings. She allowed 18 hits and 12 runs (11 earned), striking out one and walking one.

Offensively, North Allegheny tallied 12 hits. Amara Daugherty led the way with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate. Olivia Klaich and Ava Combs each drove in two runs, while Zoey Bornt collected two hits in three at-bats. Laswell, Lily Daugherty, Anna Kovacic, and Jordan Phillips also added a hit apiece.

Hempfield’s bats were hot throughout, as they recorded 18 hits, with several players registering multi-hit games. The visitors also flashed the leather, turning one double play in the win.

In Game 2, Tigers powered past Hempfield, earning an 18-8 victory behind a strong offensive showing. L. Daugherty led the way at the plate, going 4-for-5 and driving in key runs for the Tigers. North Allegheny jumped out early, plating three runs in the top of the first inning and adding single runs in each of the next two frames.

Hempfield battled back, tying the game 7-7 in the bottom of the fourth, but the Tigers quickly responded. In the fifth inning, L. Daugherty delivered a go-ahead RBI single, followed by a triple from Kovacic to push the lead to 10-7.

North Allegheny put the game out of reach in the sixth inning with an explosive eight-run rally. Highlights included a two-run double by Megan Sweeney, an RBI single from Emily Clark, another run-scoring hit by L. Daugherty, a three-run triple by Olivia Klaich, and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Ava Combs. Earlier in the game, Combs contributed an RBI sacrifice fly. 

Klaich went the distance in the circle, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 15 hits across six innings.

Offensively, the Tigers racked up 22 hits. Multiple players had standout performances, including Laswell, Kovacic, Zoey Bornt, Clark, Sweeney, Amara Daugherty, and Klaich, each collecting multiple hits in the win.

Hempfield managed 15 hits of their own, but North Allegheny’s offensive firepower proved too much to overcome.

The Tigers return to action next Sunday with a matchup at Montour.