PHILIPSBURG — Philipsburg-Osceola erupted for 14 runs in the bottom of the first inning against Hollidaysburg on March 31 at the Curtis Park Athletic Complex and rolled to an 18-2 rout in three innings.
Emily Gustkey, whose two-run home run in the fourth inning invoked the 15-run mercy rule, had two hits and scored three runs from the leadoff spot.
“Emily is such a fantastic hitter, player, and leader,” said first-year P-O coach Becca Kephart. “She is disciplined at the plate and takes her job as the leadoff batter very seriously. She will get on base for us anyway she can. I feel nothing but absolute confidence when she comes up to bat.
“When she hit the home run, it was a line drive shot right over the center field fence. I knew as soon as she hit it that it was gone. I couldn’t be prouder of her or happier for her to clinch the game for us in style.”
Maddyx Hampton had three hits, including a double, and three RBIs. Mia Butler and McKenna Thorp had two hits apiece, including respective doubles, and both knocked in two runs. Macie Bush also had two of the team’s 12 hits.
“The girls did an amazing job hitting the ball,” Kephart said. “They were focused and locked in. Most of their hits were hard hit line drives in the gaps, and we were really able to capitalize on that.
“We have phenomenal hitters, and I know I can count on each and every one of them to do their job at the plate. I am really proud of how our bats came to life, and they rallied in that first inning despite going down by two runs to start.”B
Bush got the pitching win for P-O (1-1), giving up two hits in the first two innings while striking out one and walking none.
BALD EAGLE 9, JERSEY SHORE 0
Bald Eagle Area pounded out 11 hits and rolled to a 9-0 win over Jersey Shore on April 6 at home to even its record at 2-2.
BEA’s No. 3 hitter Kendall Gavlock had two hits, including a home run and double, knocked in three runs and scored two runs.
Cleanup hitter Raelee Repasky also delivered a double and a home run and had two RBIs. Harlee Witherite and Hayley Simpson had two hits apiece. Witherite knocked in two runs, while Simpson doubled.
BEA pitcher Karlee Fisher tossed a six-hitter, struck out one and walked none as her defense committed only one error.
STATE COLLEGE 13, MECHANICSBURG 3
State College was one of the rare teams in the area to get two games in during this wet and cold spring season. The Lady Little Lions won at Mechanicsburg, 13-3, on April 6 — a week after losing 1-0 in eight innings at Chambersburg.
Against Mechanicsburg, Kara Rhinehart had two hits and knocked in five runs. Kendall Schenck led the Lady Little Lions (2-1) with three hits, including a double. Elizabeth Sikorski and Paige Moriarta had two hits apiece.
Moriarta tossed a two-hitter, struck out 14 and walked five in the pitching circle.
State College and Chambersburg went to the bottom of the eighth inning on March 31 in Chambersburg, but a Hensley Brookens bases loaded walk gave the home team a 1-0 win over State College.
Moriarta pitched strong in the loss for the Lady Little Lions, striking out 13, walking seven and giving up two hits.
State College managed four hits off Issie Slimmer, who struck out seven and walked one. Sikorski, Kate Gilmore, Rhinehart and Harper Kaminske had the hits for the Lady Little Lions.
BELLWOOD-ANTIS 3, BELLEFONTE 2
Abby Clabaugh walked it off for Bellwood-Antis in the bottom of the seventh inning in a 3-2 win over Bellefonte on April 1 in Bellwood.
The Lady Red Raiders tied the game with a run in the top of the seventh inning.
Bellefonte was limited to four hits by Palynn Gregg and Lainey Stinson, who combined for 14 strikeouts.
Bellefonte (2-1) got hits from Adrienne Masullo, Riley Santostefano, Abby Herr and Madison Kellogg. Masullo took the pitching loss, giving up seven hits and one earned run while striking out four and walking two.
WEEK OF APRIL 9 SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
April 9
Penns Valley at Bald Eagle Area
April 10
Bald Eagle Area at Richland
Bellefonte at Central Cambria
Penns Valley at Bedford
April 11
Philipsburg-Osceola at DuBois
Sacred Heart at State College, 3:30 p.m.
