Shore minor softball opens states with big win over North Pocono
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The Jersey Shore minor softball team opened up the state tournament with a crushing win over North Pocono, 14-1, in five innings to advance in the winners’ bracket on Thursday afternoon.
With the win, Jersey Shore advances to face either Section 4 champion Indiana or Section 6 champion Towamensing on Friday at 3 p.m. in Lewistown.
Jersey Shore opened the game with two runs right away for a fast 2-0 lead. Faith Wrench reached on an error to start the game and later scored, along with Sophia Lehman.
Wrench was huge in the circle for Jersey Shore, recording 12 strikeouts in the win as North Pocono’s offense struggled to do anything.
“I’m very proud of Faith, she's really come alive in-sectionals and now states. She's thrown 57 strikeouts in sectionals and now 12 in first game of states,” Jersey Shore manager Adam Wrench said. “She's growing every day and getting more confidence in hitting her spots and throwing with a purpose on the mound. I can't be more proud of her and all the girls today.”
Jersey Shore was back at it in the second inning after Harper O’Brien opened the game with a walk and Addison Swales reached. Both O’Brien and Swales would score, as did Cali Emel, who reached with one out for a 5-0 Jersey Shore lead.
In the third inning, it was Lehman, Riley Bowmaster and Cali Black who all reached home after opening the inning by all reaching base. O’Brien and Swales both reached base with one out to put runners at first and second, but North Pocono induced two strikeouts to get out of the inning with just three runs.
A North Pocono run made it an 8-1 game before Jersey Shore’s offense erupted for a huge six-run fifth inning. The sixth inning saw Bowmaster, Black, Madi Eck, O’Brien, Kelsey Brooks and Emel all cross home and put the mercy rule into effect, 14-1.
No matter the outcome of Friday’s game, Jersey Shore will be back in action on Saturday.
If Jersey Shore wins on Friday afternoon, it will advance to the winners’ bracket final on Saturday at 1 p.m. A loss Friday would drop Jersey Shore into the elimination bracket with a game on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
Jersey Shore 14, North Pocono 1
(4 INNINGS)
Jersey Shore 233 06 – 14
N.P. 000 10 – 1
Wrench and Lehman. Lesh and Berry. W: Wrench. L: Lesh.
Top Jersey Shore hitters: Wrench BB, run; Lehman 1B, 2 runs; Bowmaster 2 BB, 2 runs; Cali Black 2 runs; Eck HBP, run; O’Brien 2 BB, run; Brooks BB, run; Emel 2 runs. Top North Pocono hitters: Havenstrike BB; Washko HBP; Lesh 2 HBP.