Slow start costs J-M in PIAA softball loss
MEADVILLE — It took a couple innings for Jefferson-Morgan to settle in while playing its first PIAA softball playoff game in 11 years.
By that time it was too late, though, against District 10 champion Cambridge Springs in their Class A first-round game at Allegheny College’s Robertson Field on Monday.
The Blue Devils jumped out to a 5-0 advantage after two innings and went to defeat the Rockets, 8-1, as Kayla Crawford pitched a six-hitter with 12 strikeouts.
Cambridge Springs (13-6) got a two-run homer from Angela Hassinger and a two-run triple from Bridget Bullock as it moved on into Thursday’s quarterfinals against District 5 champion Berlin Brothersvalley, which shut out Carmichaels, 2-0, with the site and time to be determined.
“We had a bunch of nerves, obviously,” Jefferson-Morgan coach Rich Rush said. “First time we’ve been in the states in a long time.
“Once we got calmed down and steadied ourselves I thought we played alright. We started putting the ball in play. We needed to score a few more runs and make a few more plays in the field.”
Cambridge Springs parlayed two walks, a single by Morgan Dunton off the glove of a diving second baseman Braelyn Bayles, a bloop double by Jada Murawski and a wild pitch into three runs in the first inning.
Hassinger hit her two-run shot in the second to give the Blue Devils a 5-0 lead.
The Rockets (17-8) scored their lone run in the top of the third when Ava Wood reached on an error, stole second and came home on Emilee Bazzoli’s single.
Bullock’s two-run triple sparked a three-run rally in the bottom of the inning to give the Blue Devils an 8-1 lead.
Losing pitcher Bazzoli surrendered eight hits and three walks while striking out seven. Crawford walked three. Neither pitcher gave up a run over the final four frames.
“She’s a very good pitcher,” Rush said of the 6-foot-1 Crawford. “I thought Em threw well, too. They didn’t hit like Union did against us, but they hit the ball, although I thought Em kept them off balance for the most part. There were a few plays we probably should’ve made but didn’t and that cost us.”
Bazzoli and Gabby Marmie each had two hits for J-M. The Rockets’ other hit was a single by Addalei Larkin.
Dunton and Carly Cunningham had two hits apiece for Cambridge Springs, which also got a double from Jaydan Simmons.
The Rockets finished with a 17-8 record.
“I’m very pleased with this season,” Rush said. “Counting scrimmages, JV games and everything, this was game 30 for us, so it’s been a long season, and they did well. We finished in the top three in Class A in the WPIAL, and to come in here and play in a state game is good experience for them.”
It was the final game for seniors Wood, Larkin and Addyson Teagarden.
“We lose three good players,” Rush said, “but we do have a lot coming back so I look for us to be pretty solid again next year.”