×

Clapper throws no-hitter to lead Loyalsock 9-11 softball

It’s not always easy for Loyalsock to put together a lineup for the 13 players. That’s mostly because all 13 players are very impactful to the game and all are well deserving of a starting spot.

They showed Monday night how impactful they can be with a 17-0 victory over Jersey Shore.

“We’re able to put anyone in the lineup and know that it’s not going to be an easy out. It’s hard for me to make a lineup because I have to ask myself who can I not put in to start, but I love having such a deep bench,” said Loyalsock coach John Clapper.

All of the players that Clapper used made a big impact but possibly none more than his daughter, Katie.

Katie Clapper was the pitcher for the game and she was brilliant throwing a no hitter and striking out seven in four innings.

“She has been a solid pitcher this whole season. She started pitching two years ago and had a pitching coach really help her and get her into a groove. She really wanted to come out strong being that she was going to be the starting pitcher for a district game,” Clapper said.

She battled through a couple walks and an error and that’s when she was at her best, striking out multiple batters with runners in scoring position.

Loyalsock got it started right away as the first five batters reached base and it held a 5-0 lead before Jersey Shore could even bat. Loyalsock scored two more in the second followed by a three-run third which made the game 10-0 and a possible mercy rule coming up.

Jersey Shore threatened with a runner on third but a strikeout ended the inning.

Loyalsock poured it on in the fourth, scoring seven more runs highlighted by an Easton Waller double that drove in two runs.

“We have been practicing since June 8. Monday-Thursday nights and an optional Saturday practice. We have put in four really hard weeks of practice leading up to this,” Clapper said.

It surely showed.

These two teams will not get much of a break, however. They will be meeting again Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Nippenose in the second game of the three-game series.

For Loyalsock, a win and it will become district champs.

For Jersey Shore, it can get revenge and gain momentum going into a potential winner-take-all third game, which would be played at Loyalsock on Friday.

Loyalsock 17,

Jersey Shore/GSV 0

(4 innings)

Loyalsock 523 7 — 17 8 1

Jersey Shore 000 0 — 0 0 3

Clapper and Barone Harsanyi, Samar and Hassinger. W — Clapper L –Harsanyi.

Top Loyalsock hitters: Easton Waller 3-4 4 RBIs; Alena Barone 2-4 2 RBIs; Maddie Wertz 1-3 2 RBsI.

Top Jersey Shore hitters: Isabell Carrasquilla BB; Chloe Gordner BB.

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