Simply Dominant
JEFFERSON TWP — The beat — or should we say beatings — go on.
Amanda Fischer struck out 11 in tossing a one-hit shutout Wednesday as Knoch's varsity softball team rolled past New Castle, 10-0, at Laura Doerr Park.
Fischer recorded 10 straight outs via the strikeout at one point against a New Castle team that had scored a combined 21 runs in its last two games.
“She kept getting us on her riser. We couldn't touch it,” Red Hurricane coach Laurie Lidak said.
It seems no one can touch the Knights (15-1, 9-0) these days. Knoch has won its last eight games — all section contests — by the combined score of 83-5.
“The fun part about this team is you never know who's going to get the hit to win the game,” Knights coach Gary Coe said. “We're hitting well at the top of the lineup. We're hitting well at the bottom.”
Freshman center fielder Brynnae Coe had the big hit Wednesday. She drilled a three-run double into the right-center field gap with two outs in the first inning for a 3-0 Knoch lead.
Fischer received more support later. She didn't need it.
New Castle's (5-6, 5-4) lone hit was a ground single up the middle by Anna Wharry — barely out of the grasp of diving second baseman Olivia Vissari — with one out in the fourth. Wharry advanced to third on consecutive wild pitches.
Fischer preserved her shutout by fanning the next two hitters.
“I just try to hit the corners, keep the hitters off-balance,” Fischer said. “My riser was getting it done for me today.
“I don't worry about strikeouts. We've got a good fielding team out there.”
Knoch struck for three runs in the fourth. Marissa Melius singled to right to begin the inning. Vissari bunted her to second. Melius kept running toward third and when the throw there got away, she trotted home.
Sophie Brandon, Monica Gourley and Quinn Hughes all followed with singles. Brandon eventually scored. Hughes crossed the plate as a teammate got caught in a rundown between first and second base.“That team can really hit the ball,” Lidak said. “I probably left my pitcher in too long, but they scored those final runs so quickly.”Knoch scored four runs in the fifth to win by the 10-run mercy rule before the 'Canes could record an out.Erin Luffy doubled to right to open the frame. Fisher walked and Coe hit a run-scoring single to left, collecting her fourth RBI of the day. Fischer scored when the ball got past the left fielder.Melius singled home Coe and Vissari was hit by a pitch. Brandon lined a single up the middle, scoring Melius to end the game.“We're hitting on all cylinders right now. The kids are enjoying it,” Coach Coe said.Knoch honored its three seniors — shortstop Gourley, first baseman Luffy and Czech Republic foreighn exchange student Zoe Kylbergerva — before the game.The Knights travel to Quaker Valley Thursday.New Castle 000 00x x — 0 1 2Knoch 300 34x x — 10 10 0W: Amanda Fischer 5IP (11K, 0BB). L: Rachel Zona 4IP (2K, 3BB).New Castle (5-6, 5-4): Anna Wharry 1BKnoch (15-1, 9-0): Monica Gourley 2-1B, Quinn Hughes 1B, Erin Luffy 2B 2-R, Amanda Fischer 2-R, Brynnae Coe 2B 1B 4-RBI, Marissa Melius 2-1B RBI 2-R, Sophie Brandon 2-1B RBIThursday: Knoch at Quaker Valley
