Trinity tops Brownsville, 13-3
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Brownsville third baseman Cheyenne Wasko (27) tosses the ball to shortstop Tiffany Markovitch (12) to get the force out on Trinity’s Kim Durst to end the second inning during Thursday’s WPIAL Class AAA playoffs at California University of Pennsylvania’s Lilley Field.
Brownsville shortstop Tiffany Markovitch (12) pulls in the throw from home but not in time to stop Trinity's Olivia Gray (2) from stealing second during the second inning of WPIAL AAA playoffs Thursday at California University of Pennsylvania.
With the bases loaded in the first inning, Brownsville catcher Miranda Nichols (14) makes the first of three force outs at home plate against Trinity's Kim Dunst (28) during WPIAL AAA playoffs Thursday at California University of Pennsylvania.
When Trinity's Kakayla Watson (23) tries to stretch a hit to right field into a double, she is tagged out by Brownsville shortstop Tiffany Markovitch (12) during the third inning of WPIAL AAA softball playoffs Thursday at California University of Pennsylvania.
Trinity's Delaney Elling (26) slide safely into home ahead of the throw to Brownsville catcher Miranda Nichols (14) and scores in the fourth inning during WPIAL AAA softball playoffs Thursday at California University of Pennsylvania.
CALIFORNIA — Making its first playoff appearance since 1986, Brownsville had already accomplished a lot just by getting into Thursday’s WPIAL first round softball contest. Consider they even accomplished the feat despite moving up classifications from AA to AAA this season. Unfortunately for Brownsville, its stay in the 2013 WPIAL playoffs was short lived.
The No. 15 seed Lady Falcons hung right with No. 2 Trinity for nearly five innings before the Lady Hillers finally broke it open late for a 13-3 victory in six innings at California University’s Lilley Field.
Brownsville veteran coach Jane Bock said that despite the loss she was proud of the team’s effort and the direction of the team moving forward.
“We haven’t been in the playoffs in 27 years,” Bock said. “This team has accomplished a lot this year. That was one of our goals to make the playoffs. That was unfortunate we had to play against the No. 2 seed but I’m proud of my girls — for their season and their efforts.”
The Lady Hillers scored at least one run in every inning, and pulled away with four runs each in the fifth and sixth innings to make a 5-3 ballgame into a mercy rule contest.
The Lady Hillers put on an impressive offensive display, totaling an astonishing 17 hits. Four Hillers put together multi-hit efforts, including catcher Delaney Elling. The freshman Elling went 5-for-5 on the day with three doubles and four RBIs.
“She does everything you ask,” Trinity coach Mike Marino said of Elling. “She is a special player.”
Brownsville actually struck first in the game, playing a run in the top of the first when pitcher Miranda Arison doubled with two outs. Courtesy runner Jenna Rouse came around to score on an RBI single by catcher Miranda Nichols.
The Lady Hillers, just like you would expect from a top team, battled back in the bottom of the inning, scoring a run to tie it. Trinity added another in the second, two more in the third inning and another run in the fourth to push the lead to 5-1.
Brownsville answered with two runs after getting clutch RBI singles from Tiffany Markovitch and Arison to draw to 5-3 and seemingly make it a game.
Unfortunately for the Lady Falcons, Trinity finally put a big dent in the scoreboard, totaling the game’s next eight runs to end all doubt. Arison, Nichols and Brandi Fisher each had two hits for the Falcons offense in the loss.
“They have a nice team,” Bock said of Trinity. “We had a hard time with their offense. I thought we battled for five innings. They kind of took the steam out of our fight.”
Brownsville finishes its season at 9-11.