Raiders rally late, fall short to rival North Allegheny
JACKSON TWP — Oh so close.
Sometimes, that type of loss is the hardest to take.
Trailing rival North Allegheny 3-2, the Seneca Valley softball team had the tying run on third base and the winning run at second with just one out in the bottom of the seventh inning Monday afternoon at Raider Field.
Alyssa Panza popped out to Tigers first baseman Megan Lynskey for the second out.
Immediately after making the catch, Lynskey turned and fired toward second, where Paige Foley had strayed too far off the base.
The Tigers celebrated a one-run Section 3 win, while the Raiders appeared stunned.
Both teams had already clinched a WPIAL playoff berth prior to Monday's game.
“I respect George Trew and his program so much,” said Tigers coach Rick Meister. “We've had some classic battles over the years. We found a way to get it done today.
“We're guaranteed to finish no worse (in the section) than tied for second.”
The Raiders' offense was stagnant for much of the game, collecting just one run on three hits before the team came to bat in the bottom of the seventh.
The Raiders, however, received a spark when Emily Watson led off the frame with a double.
Megan Buletko followed with an infield single and Foley reached on an NA throwing error. On the play, Watson scored to cut the Tigers' lead to 3-2.
Panza then came to the plate, proving to be the last batter of the game.
“This one was tough,” Trew said of the defeat.
Leading 2-1, NA picked up a valuable insurance run in the top of the seventh when Mary Funderlich's double scored Lynskey, who had doubled herself.
“We don't have a go-to hitter,” Meister said, “but we have a balanced attack. We get as much production from the last three girls in our order as we do from the top six.”The Tigers (12-4, 9-2) jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a run in the first and second innings.SV answered with a tally in the bottom of the second. Alexa Sisko walked and moved to second on a wild pitch.Buletko singled to right, advancing Sisko to third. She scored when the ball was bobbled in the outfield.NA pitcher Sami Beining would go on to retire 13 straight batters — a streak broken by Sarah Blagg's two-out single in the sixth.Beining's complete effort included five strikeouts and one walk.She also was the pitcher of record when the Tigers fell to the Raiders 4-0 April 13.“Last time, we waited for our pitches and we hit her,” said Trew. “Today, we swung at the pitches she wanted us to swing at.“We just didn't have good discipline at the plate today.”Only a sophomore, Beining impressed Meister with her latest outing.“She splits time in the circle with Mary (Funderlich),” he said. “Sami's location was good today and she did an excellent job with our catcher, Bonnie Pierson. They were in sync today.”Watson shouldered the loss for Seneca Valley (12-4, 8-3), fanning three and walking one.“She pitched well enough to win,” said Trew.<B>North Allegheny 110 000 1 — 3 9 3Seneca Valley 010 000 1 — 2 5 1W: </B>Sami Beining 7 IP (5K, 1BB). <B>L:</B> Emily Watson 7 IP (3K, 1BB).<B>North Allegheny (12-4, 9-2):</B> Jordan Macey 2-1B R RBI, Megan Lynskey 2B R, Christine Scherer 1B RBI, Mary Funderlich 2B RBI, Bonnie Pierson 1B, Matti Huckestein 2-1B R, Rachel Pecanis 1B<B>Seneca Valley (12-4, 8-3):</B> Sarah Blagg 1B, Alexa Sisko R, Emily Watson 2B R, Megan Buletko 2-1B, Paige Foley 1B<B>Thursday:</B> Seneca Valley at Butler
