Softball Game Summaries

North Allegheny lost 2-1 to Penn-Trafford on Wednesday afternoon despite out-hitting the non-section opponent six to three.

Penn-Trafford scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning, capitalizing on several errors in the field. While junior Sammy Plotsko homered in the fifth inning to cut the Warriors’ lead in half, the Tigers were held scoreless for the remainder of the game, losing 2-1.

Plotsko also led the Tigers’ offense with two hits on the day. Hits were also earned by seniors Carlyn Vaupel, Anne Melle, and Olivia Carlson, and junior McKenna Rowlands.

Melle pitched six innings for North Allegheny, holding Penn-Trafford to three hits while striking out six.

The Tigers will travel to Neshannock this Friday.

Line Score - Softball vs. Penn-Trafford - 05/08/2024

North Allegheny won big over Mt. Lebanon on Monday, 13-3, in the Section 1-6A finale.

The Tigers opened the scoring in the top of the first with bases loaded when juniors Sammy Plotsko and McKenna Rowlands hit back-to-back singles and senior Carlyn Vaupel walked. A timely single by sophomore Taylor Neese scored the first run of the game, followed by a single by sophomore Erin Fadgen that scored two more. After the first inning, the score was 3-0 in favor of the Tigers.

In the second inning for the Tigers, Rowlands led off with a double, worked her way around the bases, and scored on a sacrifice fly hit by senior Anne Melle. In the third inning, senior Olivia Carlson hit a sacrifice fly that scored senior Julia Drazga. In the fourth, a single by Melle scored one, followed by another run scored when Neese singled for the second time. At the end of the fourth inning, the Tigers continued to lead with a score of 7-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, Mt. Lebanon fought back with a leadoff home run hit by Olivia Park. Both teams were left scoreless into the sixth, and the game entered the seventh inning 7-1.

North Allegheny added six more runs in the top of the seventh on five hits. Vaupel homered to center field, scoring two runs, Drazga and Fadgen each singled, scoring one run apiece, and junior Allison Yanchak doubled, scoring two runs. The Blue Devils scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on three consecutive singles but were unable to keep their offense alive. The Tigers’ defense ended the game with a final score of 13-3.

The Tigers’ offense tallied sixteen hits on the day; Fadgen, Rowlands, Neese, and Melle went 2-for-3 while sophomore Avelyn Kropf and Vaupel each went 2-for-2. Fadgen led the team with 3 RBIs, while Vaupel, Melle, Neese, and Yanchak each earned two RBIs throughout the contest. North Allegheny also showed patience at the plate, drawing seven walks. Rowlands and Vaupel led the team with two apiece.

Plotsko pitched all seven innings for the Tigers. She gave up seven hits and three runs, striking out five and walking one.

The Tigers will travel next to Penn-Trafford on Wednesday for a non-section contest; it is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m.

Line Score - Softball vs. Mt. Lebanon - 05/06/2024

North Allegheny hosted Knoch for its first non-section game of the season on Friday afternoon, earning the win with a final score of 8-2.

The game remained scoreless until the top of the fourth inning when Knoch scored on a double, single, and stolen base. However, the Tigers answered back, scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning. Senior Carlyn Vaupel led off with a triple, and later scored when senior Anne Melle grounded out to third. With two outs, three consecutive pinch runners did offensive damage. First, sophomore Erin Fadgen doubled to right field. Next, freshman Zoe Rychel tripled, scoring the runner from second. Last, freshman Taylor Condiotte singled to the shortstop, scoring Rychel. After the inning, the Tigers took a 3-1 lead.

Knoch scored again in the top of the fifth, narrowing North Allegheny’s lead to 3-2. However, the Tigers earned a single run in the bottom of the inning when junior Sammy Plotsko led off with a double, advanced to third on a deep fly ball by junior McKenna Rowlands, and scored on a single by Melle.

After maintaining their 4-2 lead in the top of the sixth, the Tigers scored four more runs on three singles and a triple. Senior Kaci Plotsko and sophomore Avelyn Kropf each singled to start the inning. Senior Olivia Carlson also singled, scoring Kaci Plotsko. With one out, Rowlands tripled, scoring both Kropf and Carlson. Rowlands then scored on a ground ball hit by freshman Twila Goulding. North Allegheny’s defense held Knoch scoreless in the top of the seventh, and the final score of the game was 8-2 in favor of the Tigers.

North Allegheny accumulated 12 hits throughout the contest; Rowlands went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Melle went 1-for-4 with two RBIs, and Kaci Plotsko went 2-for-2. Melle pitched all seven innings for the Tigers, surrendering five hits and striking out five.

The Tigers’ record improves to 11-5. They will travel to Mt. Lebanon on Monday for their final section contest; it is scheduled to begin at 4:00 pm.

Line Score - Softball vs. Knoch - 05/03/2024

North Allegheny soundly defeated Butler 7-0 on Thursday, largely due to a five-run hitting spurt late in the game.

The Tigers put the first run of the game on the board in the top of the third when junior Sammy Plotsko led off with a double, followed by a sacrifice fly by senior Carlyn Vaupel. They scored again in the fifth with a triple by Plotsko and an RBI double by junior McKenna Rowlands.

The Tigers entered the seventh inning with a 2-0 lead over the Golden Tornado. However, the offense broke the game open, scoring five additional runs. Seniors Olivia Carlson led off with a double to left field and advanced to third on a single by Plotsko. Carlson then scored on a fielding error. Vaupel drew a walk, loading the bases with no outs. Senior Anne Melle
singled, scoring one run, followed by a sacrifice fly by sophomore Taylor Neese that scored another. The offensive onslaught continued when senior Julia Drazga singled, scoring Vaupel.

With runners on first and third, Drazga then stole second, avoiding the tag and allowing Melle to score from third. After holding Butler scoreless in the bottom of the inning, the final score was 7-0 in favor of North Allegheny.

The Tigers’ defense held off the Golden Tornadoes, who came close to scoring several times throughout the game. In the bottom of the fourth inning, two singles and a walk left the bases loaded with two outs. A hard ground ball to first baseman Drazga ended the inning. Butler threatened a second time in the fifth, again with bases loaded and two outs. A line drive to
right-center looked to surely score multiple runners, but was instead snagged by Vaupel with a diving catch.

The Tigers accumulated 11 total hits throughout the game. Plotsko led the offense by going 4-for-4 at the plate. Plotsko also led the defense from the circle, pitching all seven innings and allowing only six hits while striking out five.

The Tigers will host the Knoch Knights tomorrow in their first non-section game of the season. It is scheduled to begin at 4:00pm.

Line Score - Softball vs. Butler - 05/02/2024

In their second meeting this season, the North Allegheny Tigers held onto a close game against the Norwin Knights and earned their second 6-5 victory.

Both teams remained scoreless until the top of the third inning when the Tigers put two runs on the board. Junior Sammy Plotsko got on base with a hard-hit fielder’s choice. With two outs, junior McKenna Rowlands doubled, scoring sophomore courtesy runner Hayden Robertson from first base. Next, Rowlands took advantage of a misplayed ball hit by senior Anne Melle, scoring the Tigers’ second run of the inning. The Tigers held the Knights scoreless in the bottom of the inning and entered the fourth with a 2-0 lead.

After a scoreless fourth inning, the Tigers increased their lead in the fifth. Senior Carlyn Vaupel singled on a hard ground ball in the 5-6 hole. Melle doubled to left field, scoring Vaupel. Then senior Julia Drazga hit a fly ball to center field, scoring Melle. Entering the bottom of the fifth, the score was now 4-0 in favor of the Tigers. Norwin fought back, however, earning a single run in the fifth on a walk and a double. They then scored three more in the sixth due to an error, a double, and a ground out. At the start of the seventh inning, the score was now tied 4-4.

The Tigers took advantage of one more offensive opportunity in the top of the seventh. With one out, Vaupel reached first base on an error. A hard-hit ground ball to the outfield by Melle scored Vaupel, making the score 5-4. Drazga reached first on a fielder’s choice. Then, with two outs, sophomore Erin Fadgen singled to left field, scoring Drazga. Before the Knights’ final at-bat, the score was 6-4 in favor of the Tigers.

Norwin led off the inning with a single and a sacrifice bunt that advanced their leadoff batter to third. With one out, Norwin scored, bringing the score to 6-5. However, Vaupel came up with two game-saving catches in center field, catching the first over her head at the fence, and then making a diving catch in right-center to end the game.

Plotsko started in the circle for the Tigers, pitching 5.1 innings. She allowed only four hits and struck out seven. Melle came in for relief, throwing 1.2 innings. She allowed one hit and struck out one.

The Tigers will travel to Butler tomorrow for their next section contest at 4:00 pm.

Line Score - Softball vs. Norwin - 05/01/2024