Wilson Softball's Season Ends In Pitchers' Duel
Story Re-Posted Courtesy of Wilson College Athletics - Original Here
(ALLENTOWN, Pa.) – The clock struck midnight on the Cinderella run by Wilson as it fell to St. Elizabeth in an elimination game to start the final day of the CSAC Softball Championship. It was a pitchers' duel throughout with both teams combining for just seven hits.
The fifth-seeded Phoenix and third-seeded Eagles held each other scoreless throughout until the final inning when St. Elizabeth was able to get a walk-off base hit.
The Eagles went on to win the CSAC title by defeating Rosemont by scores of 5-3 and 5-2.
The Basics
Score: No. 5 Wilson 0, No. 3 St. Elizabeth 1
Venue: Blaschak Field
Records: No. 5 Wilson 14-24, No. 3 St. Elizabeth 24-12
How It Happened
- While the Eagles registered a hit in the bottom of the first, the first threat by either team took place in the top of the third. Madison Briggs (Fy., Lock Haven, Pa. / Central Mountain) singled to right field and advanced to second after Klarissa Miley (Fy., Spring Run, Pa. / Fannett Metal) was safe at first on an infield error, but the Eagles were able to get out of the any additional damage.
- The Phoenix added another pair of base runners in the fourth as Alecia Hamilton (Sr., Canton, Ohio / GlenOak) lined one up the middle with two outs. Haley Privett (Jr., Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Magnet) was issued a walk afterwards, but St. E's got out of the jam once again.
- In the final inning, Makenna Snodgrass (Sr., Flagstaff, Ariz. / Flagstaff) hoped to spark some momentum with a base hit up the middle and eventually moved to second on a ground out. Briggs took a base on balls to put runners on first and second, but again both runners were left stranded.
- The Eagles eventually got two runners on base for the first time all game in the bottom of the frame. They led off the frame with a single to left field by Isabella Hanos. After a pop fly to center, Hanos advanced to second on a ground out. Kaitlynne McCarthy then provided a walk-off base hit to right center to score Hanos.
Inside The Numbers
- The result handed Marina Monsalve (Sr., Corona, Calif. / Centennial) the tough-luck loss in her final game as a Phoenix. She pitched one of the best games of her career as she allowed the one run on just four hits in 6.2 innings. She struck out four in the process.
- Monsalve went toe-to-toe with McCarthy, arguably the top pitcher in the CSAC. McCarthy improved to 15-5 on the year with the win and allowed one more base runner than Monsalve in the contest.
- Hamilton, Snodgrass and Briggs comprised of the Phoenix trio that recorded base hits. Briggs and Privett were also on the base paths as a result of walks.