'Jackets stung
HAMPTON — Deer Lakes started by playing small ball ... and finished with some big ball.
The Lancers used a 15-hit attack — and a five-run third inning buoyed by two bunts and a walk — in defeating Freeport, 11-3, in a WPIAL Class AA softball quarterfinal Tuesday afternoon at Hampton Community Park.
“We've got some mixed roles on this team,” Deer Lakes coach Craig Taliani said. “A few of our girls exccel at small ball and we've got some big boppers in the lineup.
“We executed pretty well in both phases today.”
The two teams split a pair of one-run decisions — 6-5 and 4-3 — during the regular season. The Yellowjackets got the jump in Tuesday's rubber match, scoring twice in the top of the third inning.
Alyssa Meta's second hit in a 4-for-4 day at the plate was followed by a walk to Emily Lindsey. Ashley Sample delivered a two-out triple over the left fielder's head.
“You never like to play from behind, especially in a playoff game,” Taliani said.
His team didn't for very long.
In the bottom of the frame, Abby Linton reached on a bunt single, squibbing the ball past Freeport's charging third baseman. A walk was followed by a Yellowjacket error on another bunt and the bases were loaded.
Nancy Baumgartel's two-run single to center knotted the score. Laura Soxman delivered a two-run triple to deep left and scored on Hailey Morettti's double over the center fielder's head.
“If we make the plays on those two bunts — and we could have — maybe we get out of that inning with one or two runs scored,” Freeport coach Sam Ross said. “That might have changed the complexion of this game.”
The Yellowjackets pulled a run closer in the fifth when Meta doubled to left and scored on Sample's double. That sophomore duo combined for six of Freeport's seven hits, all three RBI and two of its three runs.
The ‘Jackets couldn't hold the fort, however, as Deer Lakes tacked on six runs on seven hits in its final two innings at the plate.
Winning pitcher Moretti struck out four in going the distance.
“Hailey doesn't throw particularly hard, but she changes speeds well and hits her spots.” Taliani said.
Deer Lakes is in the WPIAL semifinals for the first time in the program's history. Freeport has yet to get there and is graduating three seniors in shortstop Anna Christy, catcher Rachel Grubbs and second baseman Meggan McGuire.
“I like where our program's at right now,” Ross said. “This team is set up pretty good to enjoy plenty of success over the next couple of years.
“Our bugaboo has been giving up the big inning. Mount Pleasant scored six on us in the first inning (in their playoff opener) and we were able to respond. Today, it didn't happen.”
Freeport 002 010 0 — 3 7 1Deer Lakes 005 024 x — 11 15 1W: Hailey Moretti 7IP (4K, 2BB).
L: Alyssa Meta 5.2IP (1K, 3BB).
Freeport (13-6): Alyssa Meta 2B 3-1B 2-R, Ashley Sample 3B 2B 3-RBI, Alexis Roenigk 1B
Deer Lakes (12-3): Becca Babibcak 2-1B, Nancy Baumgartel 2-1B 2-RBI 2-R, Laura Soxman 3B 1B 2-RBI 3-R, Hailey Moretti 2B 1B RBI 2-R, Hannah Blinn 2B 1B 2-RBI, Leanne Crawford 3-1B 3-RBI, Abby Linton 2-1B RBI
