Pitching gem: Palmer tosses 1-hitter in Frazier’s 3-0 win
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Frazier’s Nicole Palmer throws a pitch in the top of the second inning in Friday’s Section 3-AA game against Carmichaels in Perryopolis. Palmer allowed just one hit in the Lady Commodores’ 3-0 victory.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Frazier’s Grace Vaughn slides across the plate for the Lady Commodores’ first run in the bottom of the fourth inning as Carmichaels catcher Macie Kraynak waits for the throw in Thursday’s Section 3-AA game in Perryopolis.
Carmichaels’ Allie Miller fires a pitch in the bottom of the third inning in Friday’s Section 3-AA game at Frazier. (Photo by Jim Downey)
Carmichaels third baseman Grace Brown applies the tag for the out on Frazier’s Maria Felsher in the bottom of the first inning in Friday’s Section 3-AA game in Perryopolis. (Photo by Jim Downey)
Frazier left fielder Claire Domonkos prepares to make a catch on a fly ball hit by Carmichaels' Kendall Ellsworth in the top of the second inning in Friday's Section 3-AA game in Perryopolis.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Carmichaels shortstop Kaitlyn Waggett (23) helps a smiling Frazier coach Don Hartman to his feet after Hartman lost his balance avoiding a foul ball in the bottom of the second inning of a Section 3-AA game in Perryopolis on April 22.
PERRYOPOLIS — The Lady Commodores’ Nicole Palmer tossed another gem Friday afternoon, allowing just one hit in Frazier’s 3-0 victory against Carmichaels in a key Section 3-AA softball game.
Palmer struck out 15, including the side in the third and fifth innings. The right-hander retired the first 13 batters she faced before Karissa Rohrer slapped a clean single into right field.
Palmer was unfazed, retiring the final eight batters. She recorded six strikeouts in the last eight outs.
“Nicole can spot the ball. She was attacking holes. She can throw it where I see it,” praised Frazier coach Don Hartman.
“That was the story of the game. She did a nice job,” said Carmichaels coach Dave Briggs. “We’ve been hitting the ball. We did not do a good job recognizing balls and strikes.”
While Palmer was setting down the Lady Mikes in order, her teammates threatened in the first two innings before finally breaking through in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Frazier had two hits in the first inning, but had a runner thrown out at third and stranded the other. The Lady Commodores’ Emi Bednar and Gracen Hartman singled with one out in the bottom of the second inning, but Allie Miller slid out of trouble with two fly ball outs.
After going down in order in the bottom of the third inning, Frazier finally cracked the scoreboard with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Frazier pieced together three hits and two walks to score three runs. Gracen Hartman drove in one run on a fielders’ choice, Jensyn Hartman singled home a run, and Maria Felsher walked a run home.
“If you told me we’d give up three runs, I would’ve taken that,” said Briggs. “We’re a young team. We’re still learning. We’re getting better.”
Miller settled in over the final two innings, retiring six of the final seven batters she faced. She allowed seven hits, walked two and struck out one. The Lady Mikes recorded eight outs on fly balls.
“She did her job. She’s very good,” Don Hartman said of Miller.
The Lady Commodores stranded seven runners, including the bases loaded in the fourth inning.
“That’s where we didn’t capitalize with some singles and open it up,” said Don Hartman.
Weather has played havoc with all teams, including Frazier and Carmichaels. The game was supposed to be played earlier in the season, but was repeatedly postponed because of foul weather.
The Lady Mikes go to 3-1 in the section and 5-2 overall. Frazier remains undefeated, improving to 5-0 in the section and 7-0 overall.
“We play Bentworth Saturday, then Charleroi Thursday and Carmichaels again on Friday,” said Don Hartman. “We have a lot of games to play in a very short amount of time, but so does everyone.”