Slow-Pitch Softball News

by: Slow-Pitch Softball Contributor

North Allegheny traveled to Mt. Lebanon High School to take on the Blue Devils. The Tigers picked up another sweep with a 17-15 win in extra innings and a 17-7 victory. NA now has an eight-game winning streak heading into postseason play next week.

Game 1

Olivia Klaich drove in four runs on three hits to lead the North Allegheny Varsity Tigers past Mt. Lebanon, 17–15, in eight innings during Game 1 on Sunday night.

Bats were blistered as the Tigers collected 22 hits, while Mt. Lebanon tallied 19 in the high-scoring matchup.

North Allegheny got on the board first in the top of the first inning when Amara Daugherty singled to drive in a run.

Mt. Lebanon jumped ahead in the bottom half after two North Allegheny errors, a single, and a home run to right field brought in four runs. They extended their lead in the second, scoring four more to make it 8–1.

A Klaich single in the third inning plated two runs to cut the deficit to 8–3. The Tigers continued to chip away in the fourth as Jordan Phillips singled in a run, Asha Vaders lifted a sacrifice fly, and Megan Sweeney doubled to score another, making it 8–6.

North Allegheny tied the game in the top of the fifth thanks to a sacrifice fly by Claudia Kushon, a double by Anna Kovacic, and a single by Viola Laswell.

The Tigers flipped the game on its head in the top of the sixth, erupting for five runs on six hits to take a 15–10 lead. The biggest blow came on a triple by Lily Daugherty that drove in two, while Klaich, Kovacic, and Laswell each added RBI singles in the inning.

Mt. Lebanon rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh with four singles.

North Allegheny responded in the top of the eighth, taking a 17–15 lead on doubles by Klaich and Kushon. The Tigers held strong in the bottom half of the inning to seal the victory.

Laswell went the distance in the circle for the Tigers, allowing 15 runs (nine earned) over eight innings while walking two.

Laswell, Kushon, and Klaich each collected three hits, while Kovacic, Zoey Bornt, Vaders, Sweeney, Lily Daugherty, and Amara Daugherty each added multiple hits for North Allegheny.

The Tigers capped the game with a double play to secure the win.

Game 2

The North Allegheny Varsity Tigers won big over Mt. Lebanon, 17–7, in Game 2 on Sunday.

The Tigers jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning after Olivia Klaich singled to drive in a run, and Claudia Kushon launched a two-run homer to left field.

A single by Megan Sweeney in the second inning extended North Allegheny’s lead to 4–1.

Mt. Lebanon briefly flipped the game in the top of the third, scoring five runs on five hits to take a 6–4 advantage.

North Allegheny quickly answered in the bottom half. Anna Kovacic singled to right, Viola Laswell grounded out to bring in a run, Jordan Phillips singled to center, and Sweeney followed with another single — each driving in a run to put the Tigers back on top, 8–6.

A Laswell single in the fourth scored two more, and the Tigers sealed the game with a five-run fifth inning. Lily Daugherty doubled to score two, Kovacic tripled home two more, and Laswell doubled to left to bring in the final run, ending the game by the 10-run rule.

Laswell pitched three innings in relief, allowing three runs on 11 hits while striking out two and walking none. Klaich started in the circle, giving up two hits and four runs over two innings with four walks.

The Tigers’ bats stayed hot, amassing 20 hits. Kovacic and L. Daugherty each collected three hits, while Laswell and Kovacic drove in four runs apiece. Zoey Bornt, Asha Vaders, Sweeney, and Amara Daugherty each recorded multiple hits, and Jordan Phillips and Olivia Smith added one hit each.

North Allegheny showed excellent discipline at the plate, drawing six walks, and strong defense in the field, turning two double plays and committing no errors. Kushon led the team with five defensive assists.

The Tigers return to action in the playoffs on Saturday at Mt. Lebanon.