Slow-Pitch Softball Game Summaries

by: Slow-Pitch Softball Contributor

In the quarterfinals of WPISL playoff action on Saturday at Clint Seymour Field in Mt. Lebanon, the North Allegheny Tigers demonstrated their fighting spirit and gave it their all on the field. Despite the final score of 10-5 in favor of the Hempfield Area Spartans, the Tigers never gave up and fought hard until the end.

The Spartans struck first with a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning that quickly made the score 3-0. The Tiger defense held strong with two ground outs to junior shortstop Claudia Kushon who connected with senior first baseman Emily Marangoni. In the second inning, the Tigers quickly responded as Anna Kovacic launched a solo homer to right field to put the Tigers on the board. North Allegheny’s defense held Hempfield in the bottom of the second inning, where they went down in order, with outs by Kushon, Amara Daugherty (sophomore) and Lily Daugherty (sophomore) to keep the score at 3-1. In the bottom of the third inning, the Spartans had a two-run homerun, extending their lead to 5-1. Defensive plays included a ground out from Kushon to Marangoni and two great catches by A. Daugherty in center and senior Ella Mitchell in left. In the top of the fourth inning, despite singles by senior Hannah Anderson and junior Olivia Klaich, the Tigers were unable to score. The Spartans scored another three runs in the bottom of the fourth, making the score 8-1.

North Allegheny rallied in the top of the fifth inning.  Kovacic’s second homer of the day, combined with a walk from Mitchell, an RBI single from A. Daugherty, and a sacrifice fly from Anderson narrowed the gap to 8-5. Also contributing to the rally were singles by Emily Sobehart (senior), Marangoni, Asha Vaders (junior) and a walk from Emily Clark (junior). In the bottom of the fifth inning, Mitchell had a catch in left field, and pitcher Sobehart connected with Anderson for an out at home and Marangoni for an out at first. However the Spartans managed to score two more runs, bringing the score to 10-5.

Despite strong defensive plays by Kushon, Sobehart and Mitchell and hits by Klaich and Mitchell in the final innings, Hempfield secured the win with a final score of 10-5.

The North Allegheny Tigers Slow-Pitch Softball teams would like to recognize the five seniors for their contributions and efforts through the years as a part of the Slow-Pitch Softball program. Hannah Anderson, Mady Daugherty*, Emily Marangoni*, Ella Mitchell* and Emily Sobehart. Thank you for your dedication, positivity, and leadership. We wish you the best of luck in all that you do in the future. 

* denotes Captain

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.

by: Slow-Pitch Softball Contributor

The North Allegheny Varsity Slow-Pitch games against Seneca Valley were canceled due to weather and were made up under the lights at Blueberry Hill Park on two consecutive Thursday evenings. The Tigers won both games against the Raiders.

In the first game between the North Allegheny Varsity Tigers and the Seneca Valley Raiders on October 3, Seneca Valley started strong in the top of the first inning. After a quick pop-out to pitcher Emily Sobehart (senior), and a ground out to Lily Daugherty (sophomore) at third, the Raiders managed to score two runs. The inning ended with a fielder’s choice to Claudia Kushon (junior). North Allegheny quickly responded in the bottom of the first inning. Kushon  and Olivia Klaich (junior) both singled to start the inning, and after an out, Anna Kovacic (junior) singled to drive in Kushon, cutting Seneca Valley’s lead to 2-1. Sobehart followed with another single, scoring Klaich to tie the game at 2-2. The Tigers continued to rally with a double from Emily Marangoni (senior), scoring two more runs and giving North Allegheny a 4-2 lead. Emily Clark’s (junior) single added another run, and after a couple more hits, the Tigers ended the inning up 5-2.

Seneca Valley went down quietly in the top of the second inning. Outs were made by a fly ball to Amara Daugherty (sophomore), and a ground out to Asha Vaders (junior) and Kushon for the final two outs.  In the bottom of the second, North Allegheny continued to build their lead. A triple from A.Daugherty and a single from Hannah Anderson (senior) brought the score to 6-2. Kushon tripled to drive in another run, and by the end of the inning, North Allegheny had extended their lead to 8-2.

In the top of the third inning, Seneca Valley struggled offensively, with a strikeout by Sobehart, a groundout by Vaders, and a pop-out to L Daugherty, leading to a quick end. North Allegheny, however, added to their lead in the bottom half of the inning. A double from Kovacic followed by singles from Sobehart and Emily Clark (junior). Ella Mitchell’s (senior) double drove in another run, and by the end of the inning, the Tigers were ahead 12-2.

Seneca Valley fought back in the top of the fourth inning and cut North Allegheny’s lead to 12-7, before outs by shortstop Kushon, a strikeout by pitcher Sobehart, and a ground out to third baseman L Daugherty ended the inning. However, North Allegheny responded immediately in the bottom of the fourth inning with a flurry of hits from Vaders, Kushon, Klaich, Kovacic, Marangoni, Mitchell, and a triple from L.Daugherty, bringing the score to 18-7 by the end of the inning.

In the top of the fifth, Seneca Valley made a final push to bring the score to 18-9. However, North Allegheny held them off, and with another round of solid defense with a groundout to Sobehart, fly out to Klaich, and a groundout to L Daugherty.  In the bottom of the fifth, the Tigers secured their victory when Kushon hit a single followed by an amazing walk-off double by  Klaich to end the game 19-9

In the second game of the series between the North Allegheny Varsity Tigers and the Seneca Valley Raiders on October 10, North Allegheny took an early lead in the top of the first inning when Claudia Kushon (junior) hit a home run to left field, making it 1-0. Despite a single by Lily Daugherty (sophomore), Seneca Valley managed to close the inning with no further damage. In the bottom of the first, Seneca Valley answered quickly with a two-run home run, giving the Raiders a 2-1 lead.

North Allegheny responded in the top of the second inning. Ella Mitchell (senior) singled, and Mady Daugherty (senior) doubled to put runners in scoring position. Amara Daugherty (sophomore) reached on an error, allowing Mitchell to score and tie the game at 2-2. Hannah Anderson (senior) followed with a single, driving in M.Daugherty to give North Allegheny a 3-2 lead. Asha Vaders (junior) then singled, bringing home A.Daugherty and extending the lead to 4-2 before the inning ended.

In the third inning, the Tiger offense exploded. After Kushon doubled and scored, L.Daugherty (sophomore) hit a double and was brought home by Anna Kovacic’s (junior) single, making it 6-2. The Tigers capitalized on errors by Seneca Valley, with multiple hits and defensive mistakes allowing the Tigers to score five more runs, increasing their lead to 12-2 by the end of the inning. Although Seneca Valley managed to score one run in the bottom of the third, bringing the score to 12-3, North Allegheny continued to dominate offensively, adding 8 more runs in the top of the fourth, extending their lead to 20-3.

The game continued with North Allegheny relentlessly piling on runs. In the top of the fifth inning, a series of singles, doubles, and a three-run home run by E. Mitchell helped North Allegheny stretch their lead to 30-4. Seneca Valley managed one more run in the bottom of the fourth inning but struggled to keep pace with North Allegheny’s offensive onslaught. After a dominant performance from the Tigers, the game ended in a decisive 33-4 victory for North Allegheny, amassing an impressive team total of 35 hits, 20 singles, 10 doubles, 3 triples, and 2 home runs.

by: Brandon Rossi

The North Allegheny slow-pitch softball team celebrated its five seniors on Sunday, October 13 prior to its double header with Montour. However, the celebrating came to an end after the Tigers were swept by the Spartans by scores of 14-11 and 16-14.

Game one started strongly for NA. After limiting the Spartans to just one hit in the top of the first, the first four batters made quality appearances for the Tigers. Junior Claudia Kushon singled to lead off the frame and classmate Olivia Klaich reached following a Montour error. Those two were driven in on a triple laced by sophomore Lillian Daugherty, who was the Wright Automotive Player of the Game for the first half of the double header. She then came around to score after a sacrifice fly by junior Anna Kovacic to make the score 3-0 North Allegheny after one.

Despite the strong start, the lead would not last. Montour would respond by putting up eight runs in the second, highlighted by a three-run home run. By the time NA recorded the first out of the frame, the lead was overtaken by Montour for good. The Spartans would balloon the lead even further as they scored two runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings each.

The Tigers struggled to gather footing, going hitless in the second before getting three in a row in the third, including an RBI single by Lillian Daugherty. In the fourth, senior Madelyn Daugherty’s sacrifice fly cut the gap, and her younger sister sophomore Amara Daugherty drove in another RBI, which led to another run scoring after the fact due to a Spartan error. Finally in the fifth inning, Lily Daugherty hit a SAC Fly to drive in another score, and an RBI double by Kovacic made the score 14-8 after five.

Both teams went scoreless in the sixth, including a 1-2-3 inning by the Tiger defense. In the seventh, NA held strong once again and faced a steep uphill battle. It got halfway there after getting three of the six needed runs in the seventh. Leadoff singles by junior Asha Vaders and Kushon turned into runs scored on defensive putouts by Klaich and Kovacic. Senior Emily Marangoni would drive in an RBI single to cut the gap to 14-11, but the Tigers couldn’t get any closer as Montour closed out the frame and the game.

Game two saw both teams bring out the offensive artillery. The Tigers got the first three runners aboard without the luxury of a base hit, thanks to two Montour errors and a walk. Kovacic was able to drive a run in on a groundout, and senior Emily Sobehart drew a bases loaded walk to expand the lead. It grew to six after more defensive miscues by the Spartans. Montour answered by putting up a six-spot of their own in the bottom of the first.

In the second, Asha Vaders singled and was later driven in on a double by Kushon to put the Tigers ahead 7-6. The Spartans countered with a 2-RBI single with one out, and thus began the seesaw battle through the second and third innings where both teams traded leads.

In the third inning, Kovacic ripped an RBI triple and later scored on a Sobehart sacrifice fly, putting North Allegheny in front 9-8. Kovacic was named the Wright Automotive Athlete of the Game for game two. Montour countered yet again with a two-RBI double in the bottom half of the third, giving itself a 10-9 lead. The Tigers were working with a runner aboard in the fourth, but a 5-4-3 double play dashed North Allegheny’s hopes. Montour took a 13-9 lead in the bottom of the inning, another advantage the Spartans would not relinquish.

In the fifth inning, NA pieced together a three-run spurt thanks to RBIs by Lily Daugherty, Kovacic, and Marangoni. Despite having the tying run at first base, NA could not come through as a pop fly to center ended the inning at 13-12.

Montour, which scored runs in every inning, gave itself some cushion with a run in the fifth to make the score 14-12. The Tigers responded with an RBI single by Vaders, but again the NA bats couldn’t drive across the tying run, leaving the score at 14-13. Montour added two runs as insurance, pitting the score at 16-13 with North Allegheny down to its final three outs.

Klaich started the inning out with a leadoff single, and later advanced to third on another base hit by Kovacic, which led to the latter taking second due to a runner’s interference call. With the tying run at the plate, the second out was exchanged for the Tigers’ 14th run, and after a pair of fielder’s choice plays the game ended with a 16-14 Montour victory.

The Tigers finish the regular season at 8-6. They will turn their attention to the WPISL playoffs which begin at Mt. Lebanon on Saturday, October 19.

by: Slow-Pitch Softball Contributor 

Claudia Kushon (junior) drove in four runs on three hits to lead the North Allegheny Tigers past the Shaler Area Titans 19-0 on Sunday afternoon in the first game of a doubleheader.

Kushon doubled in the fifth scoring two, hit a solo home run to center field in the first scoring one, and singled in the third scoring another. The Tigers  got on the board in the top of the first inning after Kushon hit a solo home run to center field, an error scored a run, Emily Sobehart (senior) hit an RBI double, Viola Laswell (sophomore) singled, scoring one run, Amara Daugherty (sophomore) doubled, scoring two runs, and Hannah Anderson (senior) singled, to score two more.

The Tigers extended their early lead with two runs in the top of the second thanks to RBI doubles by Sobehart and Laswell. North Allegheny added two more runs in the top of the third thanks to RBI singles by Jordan Phillips (sophomore) and Kushon. The Tigers scored five runs on three hits in the top of the fifth inning. Kushon doubled, scoring two runs, Phillips scored after tagging up, Lily Daugherty (sophomore) doubled, scoring one run, and an error scored one run. Sobehart earned the win for North Allegheny. The starting pitcher allowed six hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out two and walking none.

The Tigers collected 21 hits in the game. Kushon and Laswell each collected three hits for the NA. Phillips, Sobehart, A. Daugherty, Anna Kovacic (junior) , Ella Mitchell (senior) and L. Daugherty each collected multiple hits for the North Allegheny. The Tigers didn’t commit a single error in the field. 

In game two, Kovacic drove in four runs on two hits to lead North Allegheny past Shaler 19-12. Kovacic tripled in the fifth inning, scoring one run, and doubled in the sixth inning, scoring one. Both offenses were strong at the plate as the Tigers collected 21 hits and the Titans, 20 in the high-scoring match up.

The Titans jumped out to the lead in the top of the second inning. NA flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the second, scoring five runs on four hits to take the lead, 5-3. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Anderson that drove in two. A fielder’s choice by Kovacic extended the North Allegheny’s lead to 7-3 in the bottom of the third inning. The Tigers scored six runs on seven hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. An error scored one run, L. Daugherty tripled, scoring one run, Kovacic tripled, scoring one run, Sobehart singled, scoring a run, Laswell singled, scoring another run, and M.Daugherty (senior) had an RBI single as well.

The Tigers added four more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on five hits. Kushon homered to left field, scoring two runs, Kovacic doubled, scoring one run, and Sobehart had an RBI single. Sobehart earned the win for North Allegheny. Laswell led the Tigers with four hits in four at bats. Sobehart, M.Daugherty, and L. Daugherty each collected multiple hits for NA.

North Allegheny improves to 5-3 on the season. The Tigers are back in action next Sunday when they host Seneca Valley at Marshall Middle School at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. This game will be senior day for the Tigers.