HYDE – In a classic case of a veteran team being too much for an inexperienced one, Punxsutawney struck for seven runs in the first two innings and went on to defeat Clearfield 11-5 in scholastic softball action at the Bison Sports Complex Wednesday.
The undefeated Lady Chucks, who had to fill only two positions from the lineup that won the District 9 Class AAA title last year, upped their District 9 Northern Allegany League Big School Division and Central Penn League records to 3-0 with their fourth win.
In contrast, four freshmen and two sophomores started for the Lady Bisons, who were down to only two returning regulars, senior third baseman Megan Butler and soph right fielder-first baseman Suzie Colesar.
Clearfield, sparked by freshman B.J. Bowman\’s single, double and three-run homer, out-hit the visitors 11-9 but couldn\’t overcome Taylor Powell\’s two-run homer in the first inning and four unearned runs in the second.
\”We came out of the gates slow,\” coach Bob Dixon said after the Lady Bisons fell to 0-2 in both leagues and 0-3 overall on an afternoon that was so cold and windy the Lady Chucks wore sweatpants and hooded sweatshirts the entire game.
\”We started out not hitting well and not fielding well. But they never gave up. They fought hard the whole game.\”
Angie Laska\’s grounder down the left field line for two bases triggered Punxsy\’s three-run first inning that Powell punctuated with her blast to left.
Defensive woes cost the Lady Bisons in the second stanza.
Their only three errors led to four runs, with Laska\’s RBI-single the lone hit off Andrea Butler, and was a reflection of the previous day\’s practice, according to Dixon.
\”We worked on defense first and, man, they just struggled,\” he said. \”After the game, I did tell them you play like you practice. We struggled last night, and we were a little shoddy there tonight.\”
The Lady Bisons were much better in the field the rest of the way and began to tag winner Kelsey Cook in the third inning.
Chantel Read looped a hit behind third, stole second and scored on Bowman\’s two-out single off third baseman Sarah Depp\’s glove. An off-target throw to the plate from the outfield enabled Bowman to race to third, and Megan Butler chased her home with a single to center.
Punxsy offset those runs in the fourth on singles by Depp and Sara Ruehle around a pair of walks.
Bowman made it 9-5 in the fifth with her rocket to right center after Janell Zalno dropped down a perfect bunt for her second hit and Melinda Owens followed with an infield single.
Punxsy ace and Clearfield nemesis Angie Burke warmed up the next two innings, but Alan Pifer stuck with Cook.
The junior right-hander, making only her second start, set down six of the last seven Clearfield batters for her second win. She had nine strikeouts and no walks.
The Lady Chucks added singletons in the sixth and seventh innings off Andrea Butler, who struck out six but walked five.
Dixon was pleased with his freshman right-hander, especially her composure after the Lady Bisons faced a seven-run deficit.
\”I think it bothered her a little bit, but she hung in there,\” he said. \”She worked through it and hung tough and did a good job. She\’s come a long way.\”
Dixon wasn\’t disappointed with his team\’s performance against the defending 9-AAA champs.
\”We saw a lot of good things,\” he explained. \”I was pleased with the effort we got.
\”They\’re a good group of kids. They give it everything they\’ve got and they never quit.
\”If we keep getting good, but the end of the year I think we can be a pretty good ball team.\”
Clearfield will be idle until visiting St. Marys Wednesday for a D9NAL and CPL game.
PUNXSUTAWNEY — 11
Angie Burke 1b-3b 4211, Megan Muth pr 0100, Angie Laska ss 4220, Allie Miller cf 1000, Morgan Dubensky rf 1000, Sara Ruehle c 3112, Hannah Neal ph-c 1011, Taylor Powell dp 4112, Amber Lellock rf-1b 3100, Ashley Spack 2b 3020, Shawna Crago 0000, Megan Kauffman lf-cf 4100, Sarah Depp 3b 2210, Hailee Pifer ph-lf 2001, Kelsey Cook p (flex) 0000. TOTALS: 32 11 9 7.
CLEARFIELD — 5
Janell Zalno lf 4120, Melinda Owens ss 4110, B.J. Bowman cf 4234, Megan Butler 3b 4010, Suzie Colesar 1b 3000, Carrie Harbold ph 1000, Katie Bowman rf 3010, Andrea Butler 3010, Courtney Morgan 2b 3010, Chantel Read 3110. TOTALS: 32 5 11 5.
Score by Innings
Punxsutawney 340 201 1 – 11 9 1
Clearfield 002 030 0 – 5 11 3
Errors – Kauffman; Owens, S. Colesar 2. DP – Clearfield 1 (Read and B.J. Bowman). LOB – Punxsutawney 5; Clearfield 6. 2B – Burke, Laska; B.J. Bowman. HR – Powell; B.J. Bowman (1). SB – Miller, Neal 4, Kauffman, Depp; Read.
Pitching
Punxsutawney – Cook 7 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 9 K.
Clearfield – A. Butler 7 IP, 9 H, 11 R, 7 ER, 5 BB, 6 K.
WP – A. Butler 6.
W – Cook (2-0). L – A. Butler (0-2).
Umpires – Scott Viehdorfer (plate); Al Fricke (bases).
