BROOKVILLE – Clearfield got three-hit pitching from Andrea Butler and took advantage of a break in the seventh inning to score three runs for a 5-3 victory over Brookville in scholastic softball action at Northside Field Tuesday afternoon.
Suzie Colesar ripped three hits, two of them doubles, and Janell Zalno and Melinda Owens had two singles apiece as the Lady Bisons improved to 2-3 in the District 9 Northern Allegany League Big School Division and 3-8 overall.
An error on a pop-up to start the last inning opened the door for the Lady Bisons, who had stranded runners in the three previous innings after falling behind 3-2 in the third.
Singles by Zalno and Megan Butler tied the score, and Owens scored the winning run on a groundout by Julie Colesar.
Following an intentional walk to Suzie Colesar, freshman pinch-hitter Tristan Lewis knocked in the insurance run with her first varsity hit.
The rally rewarded Andrea Butler for keeping the Lady Bisons in the game.
The freshman right-hander didn\’t allow an earned run, struck out five and walked four en route to her third win.
\”She threw a lot of pitches and struggled in the first three innings,\” coach Bob Dixon said. \”Then she started throwing strikes. From the fourth inning on, she was really tough.\”
He noted two Lady Raiders reached base on misplays in the fourth, but Butler prevented them from increasing the lead they claimed when Brianne Dietrich singled, stole second and scored on an error in the third frame.
All of the other runs came in the first inning, the Lady Bisons jumping in front on a singles by Owens and Julie Colesar, a passed ball and a ringing double off the left field fence by Suzie Colesar.
\”That\’s a slo-pitch softball field, so that\’s a deep fence, and Suzie hit a monster shot,\” Dixon said. \”She tore the cover off the ball The second time up, she bounced one off the fence. The third time, she lined a shot off the shortstop\’s glove for a hit.\”
Brookville (2-6, 2-4 D9NAL) tied the score on a passed ball and a miscue after Dietrich walked and Brynna Hetrick bunted for a hit.
Clearfield totaled 11 hits off Dietrich, who struck out five, walked one and hit one.
\”We hit the ball real hard,\” Dixon said. \”Even some of the outs were real shots.
\”We played well, and we didn\’t give up.\”
The Lady Bisons will be seeking their third win in a row Wednesday against St. Marys.
The will entertain Williamsport Thursday and visit Bellefonte Friday.
CLEARFIELD — 5
Janell Zalno cf 3120, Melinda Owens ss 4220, Megan Butler 3b 4111, Julie Colesar 1b 4111, Suzie Colesar lf 3031, Chantel Read c 3000, Tristan Lewis ph 1011, Courtney Morgan 2b 4010, Mia Keener rf 4000, Andrea Butler p 3000. TOTALS: 33 5 11 4.
BROOKVILLE — 3
Brianne Dietrich p 3210, Brynna Hetrick cf 4110, Lindsay McManigle 2b 3010, Amanda Liebman c 2000, Renee Hines lf 2000, Samantha Rakovan 3b 3000, Shannon Shaffer ss 3000, Logan Snell dp 3000, Chelsey Caylor 1b 2000, Jamie Hays rf (flex) 0000. TOTALS: 25 3 3 0.
Score by Innings
Clearfield 200 000 3 – 5 11 4
Brookville 201 000 0 – 3 3 2
Errors – Owens, J. Colesar 2, Morgan; Dietrich, Shaffer. PB – Read 1; Liebman 3. LOB – Clearfield 9; Brookville 6. 2B – S. Colesar 2. SB – Zalno, Owens, M. Butler; Dietrich, Hetrick.
Pitching
Clearfield – A. Butler 7 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K.
Brookville – Dietrich 7 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.
HB – Dietrich 1 (Zalno).
W – A. Butler (3-6). L – Dietrich (2-5).
