Burns ‘strikes’ in Lady Mikes’ 10-1 win over Frazier
Carmichaels’ Emma Lowry is safe at third on a triple as Frazier’s Chelsea Pillar attempts the out during Monday’s game in Jefferson Township. (Photo by Christine Pocratsky)
Carmichaels junior Erica Burns pitches against Frazier during a game in Jefferson Township.
Christine Pocratsky
Carmichaels’ Kaityln Wilson safely advances to third on a passed ball as Frazier’s Chelsea Pillar attempts the out during Monday’s game in Jefferson Township.
Christine Pocratsky
Frazier’s Alena Blaszczak catches the ball for an out on Carmichaels’ Erica Burns during Monday’s game in Jefferson Township.
JEFFERSON TWP. — The Lady Mikes bookended 4-run innings Monday afternoon as visiting Carmichaels claimed first place in Section 2-A with a 10-1 road victory against Frazier.
Carmichaels improves to 7-1 in the section and 9-2 overall with the Lady Mikes’ lone section loss to Jefferson-Morgan. Frazier slips to 7-2 in the section and 7-3 overall with the Lady Mikes’ other loss coming early to West Greene.
There’s no rest for the weary with the Lady Commodores traveling to Jefferson-Morgan, a 4-0 winner over Serra Catholic, this afternoon and hosting West Greene on Thursday. The Lady Mikes entertain Serra Catholic today and travel to Monessen on Thursday.
“I said we’d have to win nine games to make the playoffs,” said Frazier coach Paul Harvey of earning one of the three section playoff berths. “I felt everybody could beat everybody. We have 7 (wins). We need two more. We’re still in the thick of things.”
Carmichaels coach Dave Briggs agreed with the importance of the road game.
“They know every game in the section is like a playoff game,” said Briggs.
The Lady Commodores were without the battery of pitcher Paige Hotz and catcher Kelsey Holp. Holp is on crutches while Hotz was ineligible.
“I’m not going to make excuses. You have to buck up and have someone step up,” said Harvey.
The Lady Mikes jumped out of the gate, aided by game-opening walks to Erica Burns and Mia Virgili.
Emma Lowry laced a single into center field to score Burns and move Virgili to third. Lowry took second on the throw to the plate. Amanda Brown ripped a single to left field to score Virgili and Lowry and moved to second on a throwing error.
“Those two walks (to start the game) changed a lot right off the bat. ” said Harvey.
Alexus Eicher ended the threat but not before the Lady Mikes sent nine batters to the plate.
“When you’re the visiting team, you try to jump on them early,” said Briggs.
Eicher settled down over the next three innings, allowing a double to Brown and a walk.
With a run in and runners at first and second with no outs in the fifth inning, Eicher and the Lady Commodores escaped another big inning with some nifty defense by third baseman Chelsea Pillar. Pillar snared Brown’s hard-hit ball, tagging third and throwing to second for a rare 5-unassisted, 5-4 double play.
The Lady Mikes put the game out of reach with four runs in the seventh. The big blow of the inning was an opposite field solo home run over the left-center fence with one out by Katie Mays, a left-handed batter. Burns added a two-run double and Virgili drove home Burns.
Burns, on the other hand, was nearly unhittable. The right-hander allowed just three singles, two to lead-off hitter Monica Joseph. Joseph scored the lone run after leading off the bottom of the sixth with her second single, two stolen bases and Alena Blaszczak’s RBI single.
Burns struck out 16, ringing up every Frazier that faced her at least one, save Joseph and pinch-hitter Morgan Fidel, who walked.
“It seems like she always throws well here,” said Briggs. “She’s getting better and better every game.” said Harvey.