Lady Leopards sllip past Thomas Jefferson, 1-0
John F. Brothers/HeraldStandard.com
Thomas Jefferson’s Amanda Brennan (24) dives for first base when she was caught of the base on a fly ball but Brennan made it back for she cou be tagged by Belle Vernon first baseman Deanna Hileman, Monday at California University’s Lilley Field.
John F. Brothers/HeraldStandard.com
Belle Vernon’s Courtney Seman (00) is all smiles as she scores in the first inning on Molly Gauden’s two-out single against Thomas Jefferson in a WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinal softball playoff game on Monday at California University’s Lilley Field. Seman’s run was the only one of the game as the Lady Leopards defeated the Lady Jaguars, 1-0.
John F. Brothers/HeraldStandard.com
Thomas Jefferson second baseman Aubrey Guiffe (8) bobbled a hit she fielded giving Belle Vernon’s Katie Anna a chance to avoid the tag during Monday’s game at California University’s Lilley Field.
CALIFORNIA — When Belle Vernon got out of the top of the first inning Monday without giving up a run in its WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinal playoff softgame against Thomas Jefferson, Lady Leopards coach Tom Rodriguez saw it as a good sign.
What he didn’t know was that Molly Gauden’s two-out single that drove in Courtney Seman in the bottom of the inning would be the game-winner in a tight pitchers’ duel.
“The biggest thing was that we didn’t give up a run in the first inning,” Rodriguez said afterwards. “We’ve given up 25 runs in the first inning (this season) and only eight or less the rest of the games.”
The first inning difference was noticed by the Lady Leopards as well. Winning pitcher Haley Bashada promised to give her teammates popsicles if they held the Lady Jaguars scoreless in the first inning, and promised them sandwiches if Belle Vernon posted a shutout.
Despite facing threats in all but one inning, Bashada said, “I was never worried. I was ready for this game.”
The two teams are common foes in Section 3-AAA and split their previous two meetings. Rodriguez lamented that they played each other in the quarterfinals, saying the playoff seedings should have delayed a third meeting until at least the semifinals.
Bashada gave up singles in every inning but the fifth, when she retired the side in order. Thomas Jefferson pitcher Alyssa Frankenfield was almost as strong, giving up just four hits and striking out 10 batters.
Belle Vernon (17-5) scored the only run when Seman walked with one out in the first, Haley Bashada got an infield single with two outs, and Gauden followed with the hit that drove in Seman.
The Lady Leopards stranded seven runners after that, while Frankenfield gave up only two other hits — Katie Anna’s second-inning single and Alexis Ellin’s third-inning double.
The Lady Jaguars’ biggest threat came in the fifth when Amanda Brennan led off with a single and Nikki Benack’s line drive seemed to be headed for left field before Belle Vernon shortstop Natalie Bashada snagged the ball.
As Belle Vernon awaited its semifinal opponent out of Monday’s nightcap game at Lilley Field between Montour and Yough, Rodriguez said, “Pitching, defense, and timely hitting are important. We stranded the bases loaded (in the second) and that hurts.
“We’ve got to stay consistent.”