So close
Uniontown softball comes up just short in WPIAL playoffs
IRWIN — Uniontown had the tying run on third base, but freshman pitcher Sam Martin was able to record a strikeout that resulted in Indiana’s 3-2 victory Monday evening in the first round of the WPIAL Class 4A softball playoffs at Norwin High School.
The Lady Indians (10-10) advance to the quarterfinals against second-seeded Hampton (14-4). The day, site and time have yet to be determined.
The Lady Red Raiders’ season comes to an end at 10-9, but head coach Jason White believes the program is moving in the right direction. Uniontown has qualified for the postseason three years in a row.
“We have some of our top players coming back next year, and we also have some younger kids that will be coming up to high school, so the future looks encouraging,” White said. “We have several softball players, and not just raw athletes that play softball, and there is a big difference in that.”
The Lady Red Raiders defeated Indiana, 2-0, on March 26 at Bailey Park, but Martin only pitched 1 ⅔ innings.
Martin has taken over as Indiana’s starting pitcher in the second half of the season, and even though it was her playoff debut, she earned the victory in the circle after allowing two earned runs on six hits over seven innings. She had 12 strikeouts and walked two.
“She (Martin) did a heck of a job today,” Indiana coach Harold Wilson said. “We didn’t hit their pitcher that well down there in the first game, so you know it’s not going to be a high-scoring game, and she did a good job again today. We are going to enjoy this one tonight and get back to work tomorrow.”
Despite Martin’s outing, Uniontown had an opportunity in the seventh when Emmaleigh Noah walked with one out, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and third on a passed ball before Martin recorded the final out. Noah had two hits in three at-bats.
“Whenever it comes down to one play, it’s better than the alternative, and I’ll take that any day,” White said. “It’s really all you can ask for. The girls didn’t lay down and gave it their all.”
Noah took the loss in the pitching circle, but the junior allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits over six innings. She struck out seven and walked one.
The Lady Indians took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Anna Carnovale singled with one out, moved to second on a passed ball, and third on a wild pitch before scoring on Sophia Boyer’s groundout to shortstop.
Uniontown tied the game in the top of the fourth inning in scoring a run with two outs that started with Lyric McLee reaching on a hit-by-pitch. McLee advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on Alivia Noah’s base hit to right field for a 1-1 game. Noah had two hits.
Indiana regained the lead in the bottom of the frame when Addie Stossel reached on an error and advanced to second on another miscue. She scored with one out on Maggie Cunningham’s singled to center field for a 2-1 advantage.
Cunningham stole second and scored on Carnovale’s base hit to center for a 3-1 lead.
“There were some plays here and there that made the difference, but that’s how it goes sometimes,” White said.
The Lady Red Raiders cut the deficit to one in the fifth after scoring another run with two outs.
Alexa Budner reached on an infield single, stole second and scored on Juliet White’s single to center field.
Juliet White moved to second on a wild pitch, and third on a passed ball before Lauren White walked.
Lauren White advanced to second on defensive indifference, but the Lady Indians got out of the inning when Addie Stossel snagged a line drive off the bat of Graci Rodeheaver.
Stossel dove to her right to make another catch on a line drive in the sixth off the bat of Alivia Noah.
“Addie did a heck of a job today,” Wilson said. “Those types of plays keep you in the game.”