Feel The Sting
PLUM — Waynesburg was swallowed up by Freeport's power surge.
The Yellowjackets belted four home runs — one each from Ashleigh Schmidt, Ally DeJidas, Claire Crytzer and Jenna Hildebrand — in a 10-4 victory in Monday's WPIAL Class 3A softball quarterfinal playoff at Plum High School.
Freeport tallied seven extra-base hits in the game, including three doubles and did not fail to score in the first four innings of the game.
“We were going to hit the ball in every inning,” said Freeport coach Sam Ross. “When you can hit the long ball like we did today, you're going to be in good shape.”
The undefeated 'Jackets (13-0) will meet Southmoreland, a 6-5 winner over Steel Valley, in a semifinal game Wednesday at a site and time to be determined.
Freeport's home runs helped subdue a Waynesburg team that showed up ready to hit the ball.
Rachel Elsenheimer's solo shot gave the Raiders an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. But the 'Jackets responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Tori Radvan's RBI-single was followed by Claire Crytzer's two-run home run.
After Jenna Hildebrand's solo home run put Freeport ahead 4-1 in the second inning, the Raiders tied the game with three runs off of Radvan in the top of the third. Elsenheimer's single drove home one run and Bailee Shimek's base hit plated two more.
A pair of Raider errors aided Freeport's two-run third inning. The 'Jackets then returned to hitting the ball a very long way. Schmidt and DeJidas both clubbed two-run shots in the fourth, with Schmidt's blast chasing Waynesburg starting pitcher Jordan Sibert from the game. DeJidas was the second batter faced by reliever Meghan Braun. The former's home run was last seen sailing over the scoreboard in right-center field.
“Freeport is full of good hitters and their power came out today,” said Waynesburg coach Jim Armstrong. “They hit mistakes and you can't make mistakes against a team like that.”
The 10-4 lead seemed secure, especially with Radvan working a 1-2-3 fourth inning.But the Raiders (10-8) had a golden opportunity to get back in the game in the fifth. With two outs, a throwing error allowed Elsenheimer to reach base. Radvan then hit Sydney Hare and Shimek with pitches to load the bases. Brooke Coss walked to the plate with a chance to close the gap, but popped out to end the threat.“I just had to have confidence in the defense behind me,” said Radvan, who struck out six in the win. “If the ball was put in play, I knew they'd make the play.”“Tori knuckled down and got through it,” said Ross. “She pitched a good game on a hot day. This backstop is a big one, too, and I thought our catcher, Jenna Manke, played a great game to keep things in front of her.”It was the last real threat posed by the Raiders, who managed just one baserunner over the final two innings.Freeport has qualified for the district semifinals for the first time in at least the last 25 years.“It gives us even more motivation to keep making history,” Radvan said.“I'm proud of this team,” said Ross. “Hopefully, we can keep this going.”Waynesburg 103 000 0 — 4 7 3Freeport 312 400 x — 10 12 1W: Tori Radvan 7 IP (6K, 0BB). L: Jordan Sibert 3+ IP (1K, 1BB).Waynesburg (10-8): Jordan Sibert 1B R, Rachel Elsenheimer 2-1B HR 2R 2RBI, Bailee Shimek 1B 2RBI, Paige Rutan 2B, Selena Phillips 1B RFreeport (13-0): Ashleigh Schmidt 2B HR 2R 2RBI, Tori Radvan 2-1B 2B 2R RBI, Ally DeJidas 1B HR 2RBI, Claire Crytzer HR 2RBI, Maya Borghol 2B R, Emily Schmidt 1B R RBI, Jenna Hildebrand 1B HR, Madison Wagner RWednesday: Freeport vs. Southmoreland, WPIAL Class 3A semifinal, TBD
