Slow-Pitch Softball News

by: Slow-Pitch Softball Contributor

The North Allegheny Tigers Varsity Slow-Pitch Softball had a great showing in the third week of play on the road against the Plum Mustangs, emerging victorious in the first game 8-4 and completing the sweep in the second game with a 12-1 win.

In the first inning of game one, both teams remained scoreless. Olivia Klaich (junior) and Anna Kovacic (junior) had singles, but the Tigers were unable to score. In the bottom of the first inning, Plum went down in order as Lily Daugherty (sophomore) fielded a grounder to first baseman Emily Marangoni (senior) and Mady Daugherty (senior) caught a fly ball in right field. Lily Daugherty caught a pop up for the final out. Senior Emily Sobehart was on the mound for the Tigers.

North Allegheny’s offense got going in the second inning with singles from Marangoni, Emily Clark (junior) M. Daugherty, and Amara Daugherty (sophomore). Clark was driven home by A. Daugherty’s single, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the second, shortstop Claudia Kushon (junior) connected with Marangoni for an out at first. Plum managed a single, but Klaich and Clark caught fly balls from the next two batters. The score remained 1-0 Tigers.

In the third inning, Klaich had a nice line drive single, but the Tigers did not score. In the bottom of the third, the Mustangs scored a run to tie the game. Kushon caught a line drive, Klaich caught a ball in center field, and Sobehart snagged a pop up to end the inning.

In the top of the fourth inning, Marangoni and Mitchell singled on hard ground balls, but the Tigers didn’t add any runs. In the bottom of the fourth, Mitchell caught two fly balls in left field, and Kovacic made an awesome play at catcher, connecting with Marangoni at first for an out. At the end of the inning, the score remained tied at 1-1.

In the fifth inning, Hannah Anderson (senior) and Asha Vaders (junior) singled on a hard ground ball and Kushon had an RBI to put the Tigers ahead 2-1. Plum was unable to respond in the bottom of the fifth. M. Daugherty made two spectacular outs in right field, and Marangoni made the final out.

In the sixth inning, Kovacic had a double on a line drive, and scored on another double from Marangoni, extending the Tigers’ lead to 3-1. In the bottom of the sixth, Clark caught a pop up at third base, and L. Daugherty caught a line drive at second. Plum managed to score another run, bringing the score to 3-2 Tigers, but Klaich ended the inning before Plum could tie the game with a catch in right center field.

In the seventh inning, North Allegheny had an offensive surge that saw them score five runs! M. Daugherty reached first base, and her sister A. Daugherty advanced her to third with a double. When Vaders stepped up to bat, she hit a ground ball that allowed both Daugherty’s to score. Kushon followed with a single, and then Klaich came up with a double that allowed Vaders to score. L. Daugherty hit a triple that drove in two more runs, bringing the score to 8-2. At the bottom of the inning, M. Daugherty and L. Daugherty made great catches, and Sobehart fielded a grounder to Marangoni to end the game. Despite a late rally by Plum, which saw them score two more runs, North Allegheny’s strong performance throughout the game ensured their 8-4 victory.

In the first inning of game two, the Mustangs got on base, but the threat was quickly neutralized when L. Daugherty snagged a line drive at shortstop and quickly threw to Marangoni, for the double play. The inning concluded with a ground out from shortstop L. Daugherty to Marangoni. Sobehart remained at the pitching for game two. The first inning ended 0-0.

In the second inning, Plum’s offense threatened with two singles, but they were unable to capitalize. Sobehart caught an infield fly, Mitchell grabbed a fly ball in left field, and Klaich ended the inning by catching a line drive. The Tiger offense broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second. Marangoni reached second on an error, and Clark stepped up to the plate and doubled, scoring Marangoni. Mitchell and Daugherty each had singles that brought in additional runs. A. Daugherty’s double and a single by Vaders increased the lead to 5-0 before the inning ended.

Plum’s struggles continued in the third inning as the first three batters got out:  A. Daugherty catching a line drive in center field, L .Daugherty with a pop up at shortstop, and Marangoni fielding a grounder at first. Sobehart had a three-pitch inning! The Tigers did not score any runs in the third, leaving the score at 5-0.

In the top of the fourth, Sobehart connected with Marangoni for an out at first and Sobehart caught a pop up at pitcher. Plum managed to get on the board with a home run over the right field fence, bringing the score to 5-1. However, they got no further as Vaders fielded a grounder at 2nd to Marangoni. In the bottom of the inning, the Tigers responded with an offensive burst. Marangoni, Clark, Mitchell, M. Daugherty, and A. Daugherty all contributed singles, bringing the score to 6-1, with Mitchell scoring.

In the top of the fifth, Plum managed a single but were stopped by pop outs caught by L. Daugherty and A. Daugherty and Vaders making a stop at second, maintaining the 6-1 deficit. At the bottom of the inning, the Tigers put the game out of reach with an incredible offensive performance! Vaders and Klaich both got on  base, with  L. Daugherty and Kovacic walking. Sobehart singled, bringing in two runs (Klaich and L. Daugherty).  Marangoni singled, bringing in Kovacic. Clark capped the inning with an incredible inside the park home run that brought all three Emilys around the bases, making the final score 12-1 after only five innings.

The Tigers showcased their offensive and defensive skills during these two games. They are now 3-3 for the season. North Allegheny returns to action next Sunday, September 22 at Shaler at 2:00 and 4:00 pm.