Playoff Push
JACKSON TWP — At the beginning of the week, chances were dim that Seneca Valley's softball team would be able to extend its season.
But a pair of section victories against teams above them in the standings have brought a ray of light to the Raiders' playoff hopes.
First came a 3-1 win at rival North Allegheny Monday night, followed by pitcher Izzy Roule's clutch effort Wednesday.
The junior out-dueled Pine-Richland's Gabby Aughton in a 2-1 decision at Raider Field.
Roule allowed the one run on just four hits while striking out six and walking none.
SV (8-5, 3-4) is now one-half game from Section 2's final playoff spot, currently held by North Allegheny, which was idle Wednesday.
“We're treating each (section) game as a must-win,” said SV coach George Trew. “We can make it a lot easier on ourselves by winning because we wouldn't have to rely on a bunch of help from other teams.”
Roule allowed P-R's lone run in the top of the fourth when Anna Heckman's single to center field plated Leah Hartzberg.The Raiders did not manage a hit off of Aughton until Courtney Stephenson's single in the bottom of the fourth and she was soon stranded.“I wasn't too worried about it,” Roule said of her team's inability to threaten against Aughton for four innings. “We have a good team and I knew we could end up scoring.”Her teammates rewarded her confidence in the bottom of the fifth, albeit without the benefit of a hit.Shelby Roller drew a lead-off walk and was replaced by courtesy runner Kara Pasquale, who moved to second base on Mia Ryan's sacrifice bunt.With two outs, Lilly Hicks struck out, but reached base on a dropped third strike. Pasquale raced to third during the same sequence. The latter scored moments later on a wild pitch to tie the game.Aughton escaped the fifth with no further damage, but surrendered the deciding run in the sixth.Stephenson reached on an infield single, stole second base and scored when Maddie Gross singled off the glove of third baseman Mackenzie Gillis.Aughton struck out four and walked two while allowing only three hits.“We've been in a recent slump (now a 3-game losing streak),” said Rams' coach Gary Shepard. “We're putting ourselves in situations where we have to make the perfect pitch or make the perfect play in the field.“Gabby was very efficient today. She was lights out, but we just didn't give her enough support.”Roule set the Rams (6-6, 4-3) down in order in the first, second, fifth, sixth and seventh innings.“It feels great to help the team in such a big game,” she said. “We're all so into the game and love playing together.”SV hopes to be playing together in the postseason next month, but there is still work to be done.“Hopefully, we've got some momentum now,” said Trew. “Norwin (at home Friday) will be a good test.”Pine-Richland 000 100 0 — 1 4 1Seneca Valley 000 011 x — 2 3 0W: Izzy Roule 7 IP (6K, 0BB). L: Gabby Aughton 6 IP (4K, 2BB)Pine-Richland (6-6, 4-3): Anna Heckman 1B RBISeneca Valley (8-5, 3-4): Courtney Stephenson 2-1B R, Maddie Gross 1B RBIFriday: Norwin at Seneca Valley
