Lady Colonials use 8-run fifth in decisive 12-3 section win over Connellsville
Jonathan Guth | Herald-Standard
Albert Gallatin staring pitcher Maddie Flowers delivers against Connellsville during Friday’s Section 2-AAAAA game at Beth Swink Field. The Lady Colonials used an eight-run fifth to turn a close game into a convincing 12-3 victory in Albert Gallatin’s section opener.
Jonathan Guth | Herald-Standard
Albert Gallatin starting pitcher Maddie Flowers delivers during Friday’s Section 2-AAAAA game against Connellsville at Beth Swink Field. The Lady Colonials downed the Lady Falcons, 12-3, to win their section opener.
CONNELLSVILLE — Albert Gallatin is one of the few softball teams in the area that use a two-pitcher system, but coach Gary Serock’s philosophy paid off in a big way Friday in the Lady Colonials’ 12-3 Section 2-AAAAA victory over Connellsville at Beth Swink Field.
The Lady Falcons (0-3, 0-4) fell behind Albert Gallatin, 4-0, heading into the bottom of the third, but rallied to cut the deficit to 4-3, and had runners on second and third when Kent State recruit Madison Hershberger recorded a strikeout to end the threat and inning.
Hershberger relieved starter Maddie Flowers after Connellsville’s Sadie Miller walked. Teammate Mia Burd hit an RBI single to left to score Hailey Kosisko and cut the deficit to one run, and after both moved up on a wild pitch, Hershberger buckled down to get out of the jam. Kosisko reached via an RBI single that scored Kylee Hoover, who doubled with one out.
“Everybody thought I was crazy when I used two pitchers last season, but it has worked for us,” Serock said. “This is a big win for us against the defending section champions. A great way to start the season, but we are still going to take it one game at a time. Last year was great, but we have to be ready. You can’t take Connellsville lightly. They are still going to be a great team.”
The Lady Colonials (1-0, 2-0) responded in scoring eight runs on nine hits in the fifth for a 12-3 lead.
Flowers, a University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown recruit, singled to lead off the fifth and scored on senior and Saint Francis University recruit Ally Bezjak’s double to left field for a 5-3 lead.
Sophomore and University of Pittsburgh recruit Annalia Paoli walked, and after Bethany recruit Lindsey Robinson singled to load the bases, junior and Alderson Broaddus recruit Hannah Turtzer had a two-run single to score Bezjak and Paoli for a 7-3 advantage.
Katie Kelley’s RBI single plated Robinson and pinch hitter Grace Robba walked with the bases loaded to score Turtzer and a 9-3 lead for the visitors.
Hersberger reached base on a fielder’s choice and Flowers’ RBI single scored Kelley for a 10-3 advantage. Bezjak’s run-scoring single plated Robba for an 11-3 lead before Hersberger scored on Robinson’s single to left field.
“That was a huge inning for us,” Serock said. “We put some balls in good spots. In this wind, it was tough to play in the conditions. We just have to keep hitting and playing good defense.”
Burd took the loss in allowing 12 runs on 12 hits in seven innings. She had seven strikeouts and walked five.
“We had some mental and base-running mistakes,” Connellsville coach John Burd said. “They are a good team, but I think we are, too. It just wasn’t our day today. They hit some decent pitches, kind of blooped them in. You have to give them credit. Mia (Burd) battled and never wants to be taken out of the game regardless of the score.”
Flowers allowed three runs on four hits in 3 2/3 for the win. She had one strikeout and walked three. Hershberger didn’t allow a run on two hits in 3 1/3 with six strikeouts and one walk for the save.
Albert Gallatin scored three runs on two hits in the second when Kelley’s RBI single scored Harlie Vance, and Turtzer and Kelly crossed home plate on Hershberger’s double to right field.
The Lady Colonials’ extended their lead to 4-0 in the third on Paoli’s first home run this year, a solo shot to left field. Paoli hit a team-high 13 homers last season.
“That home run started it,” Serock said. “She (Paoli) is something special and going to be a force to reckon with the next two years.
“We are lucky to have her own our side. Her swing is a college swing. We also have another Division I player in Ally (Bezjak) that can swing the bat like that. We have some other players that are going to play D-I and D-II in college.”
The Lady Falcons cracked the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning when Brooke Miller scored on Abby King’s single to right field.
Connellsville is the defending Section 2-AAAAA champions, and haven’t had the best start, but there is plenty of softball to play.
“It hasn’t been the start we wanted, but I saw some positives out there today,” Burd said. “There is still a lot of ball to be played. Some kids that had a chance came through today.
“I felt we hit a little bit better today than we had the last few games. We have to build on that, and cut down on the walks. We just need to get a win to start feeling good about ourselves because right now we don’t feel very good about ourselves. We will be back.”
Both teams return to section play on Monday when Albert Gallatin hosts Thomas Jefferson (1-0, 1-0) and the Lady Falcons host Ringgold (0-0, 1-0).