Kushon’s Late Heroics Secure North Allegheny Win Over Bethel Park in WPISL Semifinals
by: Slow-Pitch Softball Contributor
The North Allegheny Tigers topped Bethel Park 11–7 in the WPISL Semifinals on Saturday afternoon.
North Allegheny struck first, putting up three runs in the top of the first inning after an Olivia Klaich fielder’s choice plated one, followed by an Amara Daugherty two-run home run.
Bethel Park jumped ahead in the bottom of the third with five runs on three doubles and two singles.
The Tigers tied the game in the top of the fourth thanks to an RBI double by Anna Kovacic and a sacrifice fly from Viola Laswell.
Bethel Park broke the tie in the bottom of the fifth, capitalizing on two singles and a pair of North Allegheny errors to make it 7–5.
North Allegheny flipped the game for good in the top of the seventh, scoring six runs on five hits to take an 11–7 lead. Singles by Jordan Phillips, Ava Combs, Zoey Bornt, and Klaich — along with a sacrifice fly from Lily Daugherty — pulled the Tigers even. The biggest blow came from Claudia Kushon, who launched a three-run home run to put NA ahead for good.
Laswell was strong in the circle for the Tigers, allowing 14 hits but issuing no walks.
North Allegheny collected 14 hits in the win. Klaich and A. Daugherty each recorded three hits, while Bornt and Phillips also had multi-hit games. Kovacic and Megan Sweeney each added a hit as well.
North Allegheny advances to the WPISL Championship that started at 3:30 p.m.
