Advantages lost
KENNEDY TWP — The Seneca Valley softball team wasn't short on baserunners.
Just short on runs.
The Raiders stranded nine runners, including five in scoring position, in a 3-2 loss to Hempfield in the long-awaited first round of the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs on a soggy Friday afternoon at Fairhaven Park.
"We had lots of opportunities. Lots of chances," said Seneca Valley coach George Trew. "We hurt ourselves. We made some baserunning mistakes and some fielding mistakes. We gave them two unearned runs."
Hempfield (17-2) came into the game as one of the more stingy teams in the WPIAL. The Spartans had surrendered on 15 runs in 18 games and had posted eight shutouts.
It looked like Hempfield pitcher Lauren Shaheen was heading toward another shutout until the senior, who is heading to Siena (N.Y.) College, gave up a single to Chelsea Leasure and then a two-run home run to sophomore Jackie Mangola with no one out in the bottom of the sixth inning.
That cut the Spartans' lead to 3-2 and made for some nervous people in their dugout.
"The big two-run homer turned our comfort zone into a dog fight," said Hempfield coach Bob Kalp.
Hempfield had a comfort zone because of Sara Pettyjohn, who doubled home a run in the first inning with a shot off the center-field fence and added a two-run single in the fifth.
Seneca Valley (12-8) had runners on base in every inning except the fourth. But each time the Raiders threatened, Hempfield made huge plays behind Shaheen.
Spartans outfielders made two diving catches, including one hauled in by center fielder Kristen Sterdis off a liner by Aly Intihar in the seventh inning.
The inning before, Hempfield second baseman Amanda Rupert saved a run with a snow-cone grab of a pop-up behind the infield.
"Defensively. our kids are pretty sound," Kalp said. "It takes a couple of base hits to get a run against us. It's not a given they will score runs if they get people on."
The game was supposed to be played Monday at Shady Side Academy, but was moved to Gateway and then to Fairhaven Park Friday, four days and three rainouts later.
Even Friday, the final four innings were played in a steady rain. At one point, Shaheen attempted a pitch, but it slipped out of her hand and rolled to second base.
For Seneca Valley, the season is over. Hempfield will play North Allegheny Monday in the second round.
Hempfield 100 020 0—3 5 2Seneca Valley 000 002 x—2 7 4WP: Lauren Shaheen (7 IP) 6 strikeouts, 1 walk.
LP: Lauren Pennell (7 IP) 4 strikeouts, 2 walks
Hempfield (17-2): Amanda Rupert 1B; Sara Pettyjohn 2B, 1B, 3-RBI; Marcie Potuzko 1B; Ashlee Jury 1B
Seneca Valley (12-8): Julie Marlowe 1B; Aly Intihar 2-1B; Tina Mangola 1B; Chelsea Leasure 1B; Jackie Mangola HR, 2-RBI; Nicole Lollo 1B
