Softball Game Summaries

A big seventh inning earned North Allegheny a comeback win at Baldwin Wednesday night with a final score of 6-5.

A solo home run by Reese Temme put Baldwin on the board first in the bottom of the second inning, followed by a double that scored a second run for the Highlanders in the third. At the end of the third inning, the score was 2-0 in favor of Baldwin. In the top of the fourth, the Tigers tied the game thanks to a leadoff single by senior Carlyn Vaupel. Vaupel then stole second, allowing her to score on a single by junior Sammy Plotsko. A double by sophomore Taylor Neese then scored freshman courtesy runner, Leah Carlson. However, in the bottom of the inning, a pair of doubles gave Baldwin a 3-2 lead.

After two scoreless innings, the Tigers’ offense came alive in the top of the seventh. Sophomore Erin Fadgen led off with a double to center field. Senior Julia Drazga then hit a two-run homer, sparking a four-run scoring spree for North Allegheny. Freshman Zoe Rychel singled and advanced on a hard-hit ball by senior Olivia Carlson. With runners in scoring position, junior McKenna Rowlands singled, scoring Rychel, followed by a single from Plotsko that scored Carlson. After the first half of the seventh inning, the Tigers took their first lead of the game, 6-3.

The Fighting Highlanders were not finished, though; with two outs and a runner on first, Jordan Gerendash hit a two-run home run over the center field fence. With the score now 6-5 in favor of the Tigers, the defense earned the final out of the game, securing the win.

The Tigers’ offense accumulated 11 total hits in seven innings of play. Drazga and Plotsko earned two RBIs apiece while Rowlands and Neese each earned one. Vaupel went 2-for-3 on the day, while Plotsko went 3-for-4. Plotsko pitched a complete game for North Allegheny, surrendering eight hits and striking out six.

The Tigers will travel to Seneca Valley on Friday for their next section contest. It is scheduled to begin at 4:00pm.

Line Score - Softball vs. Baldwin - 04/24/2024

The North Allegheny Tigers defeated the Canon-McMillan Big Macs in section play Tuesday night with a final score of 7-3. While the Tigers’ defense boasted a near-perfect performance, including a screaming line-drive caught by senior third baseman Caitlin Logan and a diving catch made by senior Anne Melle at second base, its offense led the team to victory.

In the bottom of the first, junior McKenna Rowlands led off with a double to right field. A single by senior Carlyn Vaupel scored Rowlands and put North Allegheny on the board, 1-0. The Tigers added to their lead in the bottom of the second inning when senior Olivia Carlson doubled, Rowlands singled, and Vaupel doubled, each scoring one run. At the end of the second, the score was 4-0.

The Big Macs’ Olivia Ford hit a solo home run to center field in the top of the third to put Canon-Mac on the board; however, the Tigers answered back when a double by Carlson scored two more runs, extending the Tigers’ lead to 6 1.

Another Big Mac home run by Kiersten Williams scored a single run for Canon-Mac in the sixth inning. However, NA’s Rowlands quickly answered back with a solo home run of her own, scoring the Tigers’ seventh and final run of the game. The Tigers tallied 11 hits throughout the game. Rowlands and Vaupel were a joint force to be reckoned with in the lineup; each went 3-for-4 and earned two RBIs apiece. Vaupel’s hits included a single, double, and triple. Carlson went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Rowlands’ performance earned her tonight’s Wright Automotive Player of the Game.

Plotsko earned the win for the Tigers in the pitching circle. She surrendered eight hits and three runs (two earned) over seven innings, striking out four and walking two.

The Tigers’ record improves to 7-3 in section and overall. They will travel to Baldwin tomorrow for another section contest; it is scheduled to begin at 5:00pm.

Line Score - Softball vs. Canon-McMillan- 04/23/2024

by Jared Barton

The North Allegheny softball team picked up where they left off from Saturday, defeating Butler at home, 7-1, on Monday evening.

North Allegheny senior pitcher Anne Melle nearly threw a complete game with two strikeouts and only allowed six hits.

NA scored two in the third inning to take the early lead. Junior McKenna Rowlands reached first on a single, stole second base, and came around to score on an RBI single from fellow junior Sammy Plotsko. Senior Carlyn Vaupel also hit a single and later scored on an error from the Butler middle infield.

The Tigers added insurance runs in the fifth, as the team batted around the order, ratting Butler losing pitcher Kelsey Ogin. Senior Julia Drazga doubled and eventually crossed the pay station. Senior Caitlyn Logan reached on a walk and scored via another error from the Butler defense. Senior Clara Stover then hit an RBI double and later scored on a triple courtesy of senior Olivia Carlson. Rowlands reached the bases on an error and was batted in on a double from Sammy Plotsko.

The lone Butler run came in the top of the sixth inning, as Alley Bartley walked and scored on an RBI single from Shylee Karenbauer.

Carlson earned Wright Automotive Player of the Game laurels, going two for three with a single and RBI triple. She also stole a base in the contest.

With the win, NA improves to 6-3 both overall and in section play. It’s a quick turnaround as the Tigers host the Canon-McMillan Big Macs for a 5:00 p.m. start on Tuesday evening. The game will be broadcast live by the North Allegheny Sports Network.

Line Score - Softball vs. Butler - 04/22/2024

By: Jared Barton

The North Allegheny softball team battled back from a five-run deficit to beat Baldwin at home Saturday afternoon 10-8.

The Tigers sprinted to an early lead due to strong offense from the heart of the order. Senior Carlyn Vaupel hit a double and eventually came around to score. Junior Sammy Plotsko reached on an error and scored later in the inning on a wild pitch. Sophomore Taylor Neese walked and her courtesy runner freshman Leah Carlson scored following a single off the bat of sophomore Erin Fadgen. NA led 3-0 after one inning of play.

The Highlanders pulled themselves back in the game and eventually into the lead as the team batted around and plated seven runs in the top of the second inning. Senior pitcher Anne Melle was charged with the runs but did record two strikeouts before she gave up a third-inning solo homer via Madalyn Schumacher. Sammy Plotsko was called in to spell Melle.

With Baldwin leading 8-3, Plotsko took control from the circle, striking out seven batters in the final innings, including five K’s in a row between the fifth and six innings.

Baldwin Pitcher Anna Schumacher kept the Highlanders ahead and was only in the game for six of North Allegheny’s runs. The Tigers scored two runs in the fourth, as junior McKenna Rowlands reached on an error and scored later in the frame on a wild pitch. Vaupel then singled and later scored on a fielder’s choice for an 8-5 score.

A solo home run by senior Julia Drazga in the bottom of the fifth inning brought the Tigers within two runs. The tide changed for NA in the bottom of the sixth inning. Baldwin replaced Schumacher at the circle for freshman Melina DeFelice. A Vaupel solo homer started out a four-run frame. Sammy Plotsko walked and scored on an RBI double from Melle tying the game.  Melle later came around to score as well. Fadgen singled later and scored on the fielder’s choice hit by Drazga. A three-pitch top of the seventh from Plotsko clinched the 10-8 win for the Tigers. She took home Wright Automotive Player of the Game laurels for her pitching relief and clutch offense late. A special shutout to Vaupel who was four for four from the dish with the homer, a double and two singles.

With the win, North Allegheny improves to 5-3 both overall and in section play. The Tigers are back in action Monday evening at home against Butler at 5:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live by the North Allegheny Sports Network.

Line Score - Softball vs. Baldwin - 04/20/2024