Slow-Pitch Softball News

The North Allegheny Tigers opened Game 1 strong in the top of the 1st inning, with Olivia Klaich (junior) hitting a double to right field. Anna Kovacic (junior) had a single to right, bringing Klaich home for the first run. Shortly after, Emily Sobehart (senior)  singled, allowing Kovacic to score on an error by Hempfield’s second baseman, pushing the score to 2-0. A walk by Emily Marangoni (senior) put more pressure on Hempfield, but no more runs were scored. North Allegheny’s defense came out ready in the bottom of the 1st, and at the end of the inning the Tigers led 2-1.

In the top of the 2nd inning, Mady Daugherty (senior)  doubled to right field.  Hannah Anderson (senior) singled to advance Daugherty to 3rd, and Claudia Kushon (junior) stepped up with a single to left, bringing in Daugherty  for a 3-1 lead, while Anderson advanced to 2nd. Another single by Klaich loaded the bases, and Anderson scored to make it 4-1. In the bottom half, the Tigers’ defense stood firm, forcing quick outs with a fly-out to Asha Vaders on second, a line-out to center fielder Amara Daugherty (sophomore), and a groundout from Kushon to Marangoni, keeping the score at 4-1.

In the third inning, Ella Mitchell (senior) hit a triple to left, however the Tigers remained scoreless. On defense, North Allegheny struggled in the bottom of the 3rd. Hempfield strung together multiple singles and doubles to quickly turn the game around, giving them a 10-5 lead.

In the top of the 4th, Anderson singled and advanced to 2nd on an error by the shortstop. Kushon doubled, putting runners in scoring position. Klaich followed with a single, bringing in both Anderson and Kushon to close the gap to 10-7. Defensively, North Allegheny recovered in the bottom of the 4th, holding Hempfield scoreless. Kushon caught a fly ball at short, A Daugherty caught a fly ball in center field and Mitchell caught a fly ball in left field.

In the 5th inning, Kovacic singled, followed by a double from Sobehart, setting the stage for a comeback. Marangoni doubled to score both runners, cutting the deficit to 10-9. Mitchell then singled to bring Marangoni home, tying the game at 10-10. M Daugherty singled, but a sacrifice fly by A Daugherty allowed North Allegheny to retake the lead, 11-10. However, the inning ended with a double play. In the bottom of the 5th, the Tigers’ defense held strong, forcing a pop-out and a double play to keep their narrow lead intact.

In the 6th inning, the Tigers were unable to extend their lead. Defensively, the Tigers struggled again as Hempfield took a 14-11 lead before the inning ended with a pop-out.

In the final inning, Kovacic  walked, and Sobehart singled, keeping North Allegheny’s hopes alive. However, a double play ended the threat. Mitchell singled to drive in one more run, but the game ended with North Allegheny falling 14-11 to Hempfield.

In game two, Hempfield got off to a slow start with three up three down as Kushon caught a pop up for the first out at short, .Vaders caught a pop up at second, and A Daugherty caught a fly ball in center field , leaving Hempfield scoreless. In the bottom of the first, North Allegheny was able to get some action on the bases when Klaich singled. Lily Daugherty (sophomore) walked, putting runners on 1st and 2nd, but the inning ended with a score of 0-0.

In the second inning, NA’s defense remained stout as Sobehart got a ground ball at pitcher to Marangoni at first. Then Sobehart started a double play, getting an out to Kushon at short followed by the final out to Marangoni at first. In the bottom of the second, the Tigers broke through. Marangonii led off with a single, followed by another single by Mitchelll, advancing Marangoni to 2nd. M. Daugherty loaded the bases with a single of her own. Anderson then singled, driving in two runs to make it 2-0. the inning continued when Kushon singled on an error by Hempfield’s pitcher, allowing M Daugherty to score. Klaich followed with a single, scoring Anderson to give the Tigers a 4-0 lead before the inning ended.

In the third inning, Hempfield continued to struggle offensively. A Daugherty caught a fly ball in center field, L. Daugherty grabbed a foul ball at third, and although Hempfield managed to get on base, Vaders caught a pop up at second to end the inning. In the bottom of the third, North Allegheny went three up three down and the score remained 4-0.

 In the fourth inning, Hempfield’s offense came alive in the 4th inning, scoring 5 runs before outs by Kushon, Mitchell, and A Daugherty. Hempfield takes the lead 5-4. In the bottom of the inning, North Allegheny responded. M. Daugherty singled and later scored on a single by  Anderson, tying the game at 5-5. 

In the fifth inning, the TIger defense held strong with outs caught by Mitchell, Vaders and A Daugherty. In the bottom of the 5th, North Allegheny capitalized, scoring 5 runs with hits by Kushon, Klaich, L Daugherty, Sobehart, Marangoni, Mitchell, M Daugherty and A Daugherty. By the end of the inning, the score was 10-5.

In the sixth inning, Hempfield couldn’t mount a comeback, with outs by Kushon at short, and two outs by pitcher Sobehart. In the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers kept piling on. Vaders singled, and Kushon followed with a 2-run homer, making it 12-5. Klaich added another single, and Sobehart hit a 2-run triple, pushing the lead to 14-5. Marangoni, M. Daugherty and A. Daugherty had more hits, bringing the score to 15-5 by the end of the inning and the game.

The final score of game two: North Allegheny Tigers 15, Hempfield Spartans 5.

The next game is Senior Day vs. Montour at Marshall Middle School at 2 & 4 pm. Senior Recognition will take place at 1:00 pm.