Jeff-Morgan ousted by Bentworth
CALIFORNIA – Things looked promising for Jefferson-Morgan in the bottom of the first inning of Wednesday’s WPIAL Class-A playoff game at California University’s Lilly Field with pitcher Emily Cottle striking out the first two batters she faced. That promise ended, however, as catcher Melissa Rankin tattooed a one-strike pitch over the left-field wall to give Bentworth a 1-0 lead it would never relinquish.
Rankin combined with second-baseman Laurel Marshalek for eight of the nine Bentworth RBIs as the Lady Cats easily disposed of the Lady Rockets, 9-1.
“They hit the ball well,” J-M coach Scott Moore said. “To win, we had to beat them with scores of 2-1 and 3-2. You can’t commit six errors and expect to win.”
The game was full of errors with nine on both sides, but Bentworth was able to overcome the mistakes with timely hitting and solid pitching.
Winning pitcher Alyssa Zrimsek tossed seven strong innings for Bentworth, allowing just two hits and no earned runs. She struck out nine J-M batters without allowing a walk.
“We have never lost a four- or five-run lead,” Bentworth coach Kathy Mitchell said. “With Alyssa pitching. We have Melissa behind the plate because we need her. She could be a D-I or D-II outfielder anywhere. She has a cannon for an arm.”
Although she suffered the loss, Cottle was very impressive, striking out eight Bentworth batters and only walking one. She did however, give up 10 hits and nine runs, but only four were earned.
“Emily has a few things to learn,” Moore said. “She has to learn to be a pitcher and not a thrower.”
Moore also pointed out that Heather Herbert, at first base, and Marissa Cameron, at third base, had to mature quickly, being freshman starting in the playoffs. In her first playoff game, Cameron scored her team’s lone run.
After the first inning, which produced two runs for Bentworth, J-M fought back to make it a 2-1 game in the top of the third. Two errors put runners at first and second for the Lady Rockets, and Moore decided to play fundamental ball as Erin Barbetta and Ashley Phillips used sacrifice bunts to send Cameron home. Barbetta was credited for the RBI.
However, Bentworth picked up a run in the bottom of the third to make the score 3-1, but J-M had a close ball game like they wanted.
Unfortunately for the Lady Rockets, disaster struck in the fifth inning as Bentworth struck for three runs to move in front, 6-1. The inning was capped off with a three-run Marshalek triple. All three runs were unearned.
“If Melissa bats four times a game,” Mitchell said. “We have a good shot at winning.” My four hitter can hit the ball well. We want to go to the next level.”
In the sixth inning, Bentworth put up another three-spot to push the lead to 9-1. Marshalek and Rankin were again dominant, picking up three RBIs, combined.
It was a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the seventh for the Lady Rockets that secured the win for Bentworth and a two-hitter for Zrimesek.
“We needed a couple of breaks,” Moore said. “It also didn’t help that we just started to practice on dirt last week. We knew Rankin would be a challenge. They are a great hitting ball club.”