Wildcats Softball Team Wins Inaugural Season Opener

Photo by Di Smith – Alexa Kitchen being congratulated by Abby Knapp-Greeley after scoring in season opener against Falcon-Knights

The Central Clarion Wildcats Softball Team began their inaugural season, as the new team comprised of players from Clarion-Limestone and Clarion Area, downed the Union/A-C Valley Falcon-Knights 21-7, in five innings), at Heindl Field in DuBois, on Wednesday, March 27th.

During this historic year for Wildcats softball there will be many firsts, just as there were for the Wildcats Football Team several years ago, the Wildcats Band, which began last summer and the Wildcats Wrestling Team this past season.

Some of the things for the girls to remember, such as this being the first win and first road win, in the first game of the season, will be things the girls will want to tell their children and grandchildren. Who had the first hit?… who drove in the first run?… who scored the first run?… who was the winning pitcher?… who hit the first, double?… triple?… homerun?… who started?… who saw the field?… etc. There will be program firsts throughout the season and years to come, to record for posterity.

The Wildcats were the visitors for this contest, which was part of a big softball/baseball day at Heindl and Showers Fields.

The Wildcats scored four runs in the top of the first. Union/A-CV answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Central moved their lead to 11-2 in the top of the second. The Falcon-Knights scored three in their next at-bat, making the score 11-5.

A 3-2 Central advantage in the third inning had the Wildcats up 14-7.

Three unanswered runs in the fourth and four more unanswered runs in the fifth, by the Wildcats set the final.

Sam Simpson had a huge game for the Wildcats, just missing hitting for the cycle, as she recorded a double, a triple and a home run. She drove in seven runs and scored three times. Alyssa Wiant had three hits, including a double, three RBIs and four runs scored. Jenna Dunn had a single and a double, drove in 2 runs and scored five runs.

Abby Knapp-Greeley doubled and tripled, and drove in a pair of runs. Kaylee Smith singled and tripled, scored twice and had two RBIs.

Alexa Kitchen and Brinley Kiskadden each had a hit, a pair of RBIs and scored a run. Emiliegh Mahle doubled and scored a run.

Jenna Dunn went the whole five innings in the circle, with 7 strikeouts ,while giving up just 4 hits and walking two batters.

For Union/A-CV, Kya Wetzel doubled and scored a run, Bella Ielase scored twice, Ava Schreckengost singled and scored twice and Maddy Dehart scored two runs.

Wildcats coach Joe Lopez had this to say about his team,”Really proud of this team for buying in and working hard.  It’s nice to see that hard work pay off on a gameday. 

“The bats were hot, and Jenna pitched a great game in the circle.  The focus for us is getting a little bit better each day.”

(Great start to your Inaugural Season, Wildcats!!!! Thanks to Di Smith and Bryan Kiskadden [BK Media] for their photos!!)