×

Bald Eagles grind out winning run in 9th

LOCK HAVEN — After a two-hour plus weather delay, Lock Haven and Shepherd went toe-to-toe in a classic contest in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division II Atlantic 1 Regional tournament Thursday.

For Lock Haven, it was a matter of persistence and patience which led to productivity as the Bald Eagles posted a 1-0 win over the Rams in nine innings.

“It was just a case of two teams battling it out the entire way,” said Lock Haven coach Kelly Shannon. “I thought their pitcher threw a great game against us and I thought Bekah (Slattery) did the same to them. There was a lot of good defense on both sides and it came down to two teams playing hard to try and win a ball game. I think we could have scored the inning before, but I think some nerves played into that situation. We made some mistakes with our bats early on and then we did some things that were a little uncharacteristic of us on the base paths. But the good thing is that we got it done in the ninth.”

With the game still scoreless heading into the bottom of the ninth, Lock Haven (37-12), which had several earlier opportunities to win the game, didn’t let this one slip away against the Rams (33-19).

Central Mountain grad Bree Hilty was hit by a pitch and Olivia Hall was inserted as a pinch runner for Hilty. Amanda Loar reached on a fielder’s choice when her bunt was fielded by the Ram first baseman who threw the ball wildy to second base.

Maddy Mathes laid down a nifty sacrifice bunt, moving Loar to second and Hall to third.

After two frustrating at-bats on previous attempts, Traci Kromko smacked a sharp ground ball to short. Hall slid across the plate ahead of the throw for the walk-off fielder’s choice and the game’s only run.

“After her first at-bat, I thought she had a couple of strong at-bats where the ball could easily have fallen in,” said Shannon. “After those two strong efforts, she was the one I wanted up right then and there.”

As for her approach in the final plate appearance, Kromko said it was just a matter of relaxing and doing what she does in practice.

“Honestly I just swung the bat like we were at practice,” said Kromko. “If I swing the bat like I do sometimes in games the result is like some of the earlier at-bats in this game. I just tried to hammer it into the ground, I was able to do that and that gave Hall the chance to score the winning run.”

Slattery once again was in control of things in the circle as the lefty scattered five hits, walking four and striking out six in her complete game.

“I just love playing the game of softball and I love being in games like this one,” Slattery said. “That is what we practice all year for. Everybody in postseason (games) is ready to come out swinging so you have to be ready for that. The big key is to work ahead to stay ahead.”

Although Slattery (19-5) was in control of the game, the left-hander had to overcome a number of deep counts and a late-inning situation when the Rams loaded the bases with nobody out.

However, rising to the occasion in the top of the sixth, Slattery retired three batters in a row on a line drive to left, a strikeout and a pop out.

“Most definitely the adrenaline was flowing a little stronger,” said Slattery. “I knew what I had to do and that my team was behind me. I really believe when the pressure is on we play harder as a team.”

“That is what you want out of your pitcher in the circle, especially the one you are going call your ace” said Shannon. “You want her to want the ball in those situations. She wanted it and got it done.”

The Bald Eagles face West Chester in the winners’ bracket final today at 11 a.m. The Golden Rams eliminated Lock Haven in the PSAC tournament, 6-1.

“I don’t think we played to the level we are capable of the last time against them,” said Shannon. “I think we figured some things out as to how to play the games in the post-season and hopefully it will show up (Friday).”

“Our defense was a little rocky in that game,” said Kromko about the result a week ago. “I think if we play good defense we have a chance to take it to them.”

Lock Haven 1, Shepherd 0

Shepherd 000 000 000 — 0 5 2

Lock Haven 000 000 001 — 1 3 0

Lori Sturgill and Molly Staley. Bekah Slattery and Madison Mathes. W–Slattery (19-5). L–Sturgill (14-8).

Top Shepherd hitters: Morgan Cox 2-4; Leann Brown 2-4. Top Lock Haven hitters: Bryann Hilty 1-3; Faith Ceely 1-4; Amanda Loar 1-3; Traci Kromko 1-3 RBI.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today