Lady Cats Fall To C-L In KSAC North Softball Game (04/19/14)

The Lady Cats Softball Team hosted Clarion-Limestone on Thursday afternoon. Coach Dan Shofestall shares this report:

In a KSAC North matchup Clarion-Limestone rallied to beat Clarion 15-7.

C-L threatened in the bottom of the first by loading the bases, but the Clarion Defense was able to hold the Lions from scoring with fine defensive plays from pitcher Johnna Rapp and shortstop Keanna Over.

The Clarion offense responded in the top of the second, with a big inning by plating five runs. Cora Zerfoss singled to lead off the inning. Brooke Bowser reached on a fielder’s choice, advancing Zerfoss to second. One out later, Aliya Reed reached on an error scoring Zerfoss. Shamecka Dittman drew a walk, loading the bases. Keanna Over’s fly ball was then misplayed by the Lions’ defense, scoring all three Bobcat runners. Johnna Rapp then reached base, scoring Over for a 5-0 Bobcat lead.

The Bobcat defense made a stellar play in the bottom of the second. With Lion runners on first and second, Clarions third baseman Olivia Bartley fielded a ground ball, stepped on third and threw to Brittany Stritman who was covering second base for a double play. Rapp then induced a ground ball to Over at short, for the force at second base, as the Bobcat Defense worked out of a big jam.

I was pleased with how we started the game especially on Defense. C-L had multiple runners on, in both innings, with no outs and we were able to work out of both innings without giving up a run. I thought Johnna did a tremendous job working out of trouble in both of those innings. She hung tough and made some good pitches. Our defense responded well and made some good plays behind her. Working out of innings like these will only make us stronger in the future and show us that overcoming obstacles is something we are very capable of doing.

Clarion added another run in the top of the third with some heads up base running. Zerfoss started the inning with a line drive single to center and advanced to second on Bowsers fielder’s choice. Brittany Strotman then fouled out. On the play, Zerfoss advanced to third and scored, as the throw to third got away, giving the Bobcats a 6-0 lead.

C-L jumped right back into the game by scoring six runs of their own in the bottom of the third, to tie the game 6-6.

In the fourth, the Lions took their first lead of the game as Megan Kelly scored an unearned run on a wild pitch to take the lead 7-6. The young Bobcats came right back with a run of their own, in the fifth, to tie the score once again. With two outs, Zerfoss recorded her third hit of the game. Bowser reached first on a dropped third strike with Zerfoss advancing to third. She then scored on a wild pitch making the score 7-7.

C-L went on to score two runs in the bottom of the fifth and six more in the sixth to make the final score 15-7.

Once again I thought we did a lot of positive things in this game. We made some good plays on defense, our base running is getting better and our knowledge of the game is improving. Johnna really battled for us in the pitching circle and gave us opportunities to make plays behind her. As a team we still know we have to keep working to improve.

I love the way this team battles until the last out. They work hard in practice and improve as individuals and as a team each and every day. We have not had a practice yet where we do not give a good effort. That has really impressed the coaching staff and inspires us all. Their spirit is strong and enthusiasm is awesome. Each game the bench support has been incredible and everyone is pulling for each other.

Johnna Rapp recorded four strikeouts from the circle while Zerfoss smacked three hits.

Alyssa Kiser fanned eight Bobcat hitters and drove in three runs for the Lions. Megan Kelly also singled three times.

(Thanks to Coach Shofestall for this report. The Lady Cats will visit Cranberry on Tuesday.)