Lady Colonials’ offense too much for Fillies to overcome
Jonathan Guth | Herald-Standard
Albert Gallatin’s Katie Kelley connects for a single in the third inning of Friday’s Section 2-AAAAA game against Laurel Highlands at Albert Gallatin’s Softball Field.
Albert Gallatin's Annalia Paoli catches a pop up to end the first inning during Friday's Section 2-AAAAA game against Laurel Highlands at Albert Gallatin's Softball Field.
Albert Gallatin starting pitcher Madison Hershberger is about to deliver during the first inning of Friday's Section 2-AAAAA game against Laurel Highlands at Albert Gallatin's Softball Field.
Laurel Highlands' Allison Lowery races to second base as Albert Gallatin's Annalia Paoli dives for the ball on a base hit by the Fillies' Jenna Bliss during the fourth inning of Friday's Section 2-AAAA game at Albert Gallatin's Softball Field. Lowery would score later in the inning.
Laurel Highlands starting pitcher Lauren Sperry is about to throw during Friday's Section 2-AAAAA game against Albert Gallatin.
Albert Gallatin's Annalia Paoli fires to first base to complete a groundout against Laurel Highlands on Friday in Section 2-AAAAA play at Albert Gallatin's Softball Field.
Albert Gallatin's Hannah Turtzer takes a lead off the first-base bag during Friday's Section 2-AAAAA game against Laurel Highlands at Albert Gallatin's Softball Field.
Albert Gallatin's Hannah Turtzer gives first base coach Larry Flowers her elbow guard after reaching first base during Friday's game against Laurel Highlands at Albert Gallatin's Softball Field.
Albert Gallatin's Annalia Paoli throws to first base for the second out of the first inning during Friday's Section 2-AAAAA game against Laurel Highlands at Albert Gallatin's Softball Field.
Albert Gallatin's infield of Lindsey Robinson (10), Grace Robba (5), Ally Bezjak (7) and Annalia Paoli congratulate starting pitcher Madison Hershberger after she records a strikeout against Laurel Highlands during Friday's Section 2-AAAAA game at Albert Gallatin's Softball Field.
YORK RUN — Albert Gallatin flexed its muscles in a 16-1 Section 2-AAAAA victory over county-rival Laurel Highlands on Friday at Albert Gallatin’s Softball Field.
The Lady Colonials (4-0, 5-0) used a eight-run fourth inning to put the 15-run mercy rule into effect.
“We are just so happy with the offense this year,” Albert Gallatin head coach Gary Serock said. “I don’t think we’ve produced this many runs as long as I’ve been here in six years in this many games. We have hit a home run in every game, and the offense is coming from everywhere.”
Albert Gallatin’s starting pitcher Madison Hershberger gave up one unearned run on two singles in four innings. She had six strikeouts and no walks. The sophomore had a perfect game going through the first three innings.
“She (Hershberger) has been working her change-up, and has been consistently getting six to seven strikeouts,” Serock said. “The defense has been playing great behind her as well.
“We did have two errors today, and it was on one play, but we only have four errors so far this season. We need to keep up the good pitching and defense.”
The Fillies (0-4, 2-4) scored in the fourth when Allison Lowery singled, moved to second on Jenna Bliss’ base hit and scored on an error by the Lady Colonials when attempting to steal third.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Albert Gallatin is the top team in 5-A,” Laurel Highlands head coach Floyd Shroyer said. “Their years of traveling ball experience really paid off and that’s the biggest different. It comes down to their feeder program the last couple of years.”
Albert Gallatin held an 8-1 advantage entering the bottom of the fourth. It scored its eight runs on seven hits.
Lindsey Robinson singled and scored on Hannah Turtzer’s double for a 9-1 lead before Turtzer scored on Hannah Umble’s single for a 10-1 advantage.
Grace Robba reached on a bunt single, Hershberger walked to load the bases and Umble scored on Maddie Flowers’ sacrifice fly to center for an 11-1 lead.
Lauren Highlands walked Ally Bezjak and Annalia Paoli cleared the bases with a grand slam to left field for a 15-1 advantage. Paoli, who hit a team-high 13 home runs last season, has two this year.
“She (Paoli) had the grand slam today and that was really nice,” Serock said. “I will say everybody on this team compliments the other. When one person doesn’t produce, the other person does.”
Robinson doubled and scored on Turtzer’s single to right to end the game.
Lauren Sperry took the loss after allowing 13 runs on 11 hits in 3 1/3. She had three strikeouts and walked three.
“Lauren (Sperry) is a competitor,” Shroyer said. “I am excited about her future. She is a great kid and works hard. She is going to get it. She is young (sophomore) and I’ll take her anytime.
“Our youth is our strength. We are going to get better. I already think they are playing better from the feedback I have gotten. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
Sperry was lifted from the game after walking Hershberger in the fourth. Sydney Petrowski came on in relief.
The Lady Colonials jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first. Paoli’s RBI double scored courtesy runner Olivia Goodwin, who ran for Hershberger after she walked, for a 1-0 lead, and Flowers and Paoli scored on Turtzer’s single.
Albert Gallatin took advantage of three Fillies errors in the third to extend its lead to 8-0.
Turtzer reached via error with one out, Katie Kelley singled and both scored on Umble’s RBI single for a 5-0 advantage. Umble reached second on the play at the plate.
Umble scored when Robba reached base on an error, and scored on Flowers’ double to left for a 7-0 advantage. Flowers scored when Bezjak’s fly ball to center was misplayed.
“You can’t make three errors against any team, let alone a team with the firepower Albert Gallatin has,” Shroyer said. “The girls are staying positive, and we have more wins so far this year than we did all last year. We have played some of the toughest teams in the section so far.”