South Allegheny eliminates Lady Raiders from playoffs
Lori C. Padilla
Waynesburg Central pitcher Emma Ricciuti winds up as first baseman Tara Staley prepares to play defense during the third inning of Monday’s WPIAL Class AA preliminary round softball playoff game against South Allegheny at California University of Pa.’s Lilley Field.
The Lady Raiders’ Anissa Hopkins runs under a pop fly as Waynesburg Central third baseman Hannah Gibbons (24) watches the play during Monday’s WPIAL Class AA preliminary round softball playoff game against South Allegheny played at California University of Pa.’s Lilley Field. (Photo by Lori C. Padilla)
Waynesburg Central left fielder Alexis Fuqua attempts to gain control of the ball during Monday's WPIAL Class AA preliminary round softball playoff game against South Allegheny at California University of Pa.'s Lilley Field.
Waynesburg Central's Breanna Scott touches the plate while South Allegheny catcher Stacia Petrillo waits for the throw during Monday's WPIAL Class AA preliminary round softball playoff game at California University of Pa.'s Lilley Field. South Allegheny defeated the Lady Raiders, 13-1
CALIFORNIA — Waynesburg Central had to put together a late-season surge just to get into this year’s WPIAL softball playoffs.
On Monday, the Lady Raiders found themselves in a hole again, but this one was too deep for them to dig out of.
South Allegheny scored seven runs in the first inning and went on to eliminate Waynesburg, 13-1, in a Class AA preliminary-round game at California University of Pa.’s Lilley Field. The game was called after five innings due to the 10-run rule.
Julia Giannandrea tripled and scored, then hit a three-run double, all in the opening frame as the Lady Gladiators (8-6) advanced into the first round where they will play top-seeded Deer Lakes at Hampton High School on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
“We had a rough game today,” Waynesburg coach Jim Armstrong said. “Our pitching needs some help. Our hitters were off today. We do hit better than that but their girl did a nice job.
“The first inning … when you give up seven runs it’s tough to get back in the game.”
South Allegheny combined five hits and three walks off two different Waynesburg pitchers to explode out to the early lead. Shannon Connors hit a two-run double and Stacia Petrillo ripped a two-run single in the inning.
That was plenty for winning pitcher Brenna Pribanic, who wasn’t overwhelming, with three walks, a hit batter and no strikeouts, but kept the Lady Raiders off balance.
“She crammed inside a lot,” said Waynesburg senior Gabby Rose, who drove in her team’s only run with a double to deep center field in the fifth that brought home Breanna Scott.
The Lady Raiders had some bad luck, too, as they lined into two very similar double plays.
Losing pitcher Taylor Staley walked leading off the first, but Tara Staley’s hard hit ball went directly to Pribanic, who doubled the runner off first.
In the third, Emma Ricciuti drew a one-out walk and this time it was Anissa Hopkins rifling a shot back up the middle that Pribanic snagged, again throwing to first to double off the runner.
Waynesburg’s only other hit was Hannah Gibbons’ single in the fourth, a hard line drive that went off third baseman Connors’ glove.
Meanwhile, South Allegheny kept extending its lead. Sara Pribanic hit a two-run double in a three-run third, Bailey Myers hit an inside-the-park home run in the fourth and Olivia Gregg hit a two-run single in the fifth.
Armstrong emptied his bench once the outcome seemed decided to give all his players a bit of playoff experience.
Ricciuti was the most effective of the Lady Raiders’ three pitchers, allowing two earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. Freshman Courteny Yuhas pitched the fifth.
“That always happens to us,” Rose said of her team falling behind. “We always start out on the bottom. Usually we come back.
“We made it to the playoffs, though.”
It was the Lady Raiders’ fourth playoff appearance in five years, but that didn’t look likely a few weeks ago when Waynesburg stood at 3-6 in Section 2-AA. It won its next four section games, though, and wound up tied for third place and in the postseason.
“We had some rough spells,” Armstrong said. “We were able to bounce back enough to get in the playoffs. The kids had fun. They bonded together. We had no problems, good times.
“I’m very proud of these kids. They did a great job. They worked hard for me. We’re fighters. They fought their way here.
“We will be back again next year.”