HYDE – Stranding a dozen runners, including seven in scoring position, proved costly for the Clearfield Area High Softball team Thursday afternoon.
Williamsport was able to depart the Bison Sports Complex with a 4-3 Central Penn League victory in the first meeting between the two teams.
\”We hit the ball well,\” Lady Bison coach Bob Dixon said. \”Even some of our outs were hard hit. We just didn\’t get the clutch hits.\”
The Lady Bisons did have one.
Sophomore Suzie Colesar lashed a two-out double past third baseman Ally Miller for two runs that made it a 2-2 deadlock in the fifth inning.
However, the Lady Millionaires responded with a pair of runs in the sixth on a walk, a throwing error on a bunt and an RBI-single by Melissa Wenzel and then held on for their fourth win in 18 games.
Clearfield got one run back on Andrea Butler\’s single and two Williamsport miscues in the lower sixth.
And the Lady Bisons threatened to pull it out against Monique Thomas in the seventh.
Julie Colesar led off with a single and, after two pop-ups, moved to second when Butler drew a free pass. Mia Keener followed by looping a hit just over second baseman Brynne Buchner\’s head, though not far enough for Colesar to score the tying run.
Thomas then ended the game with her sixth strikeout to win the duel of freshmen hurlers who matched seven-hitters.
Butler took the loss, giving up only two earned runs. She struck out three, walked three and hit one batter.
\”Butler threw a strong game,\” said Dixon, who pointed to Williamsport\’s defense as a key.
\”They made some real nice plays against us,\” he added.
Center fielder Kelsey Harris made two dandy grabs. The most important one came in the second inning, when she kept the game scoreless by robbing Janell Zalno of a hit with the bases loaded and two outs.
Then, the Lady Millionaires broke on top via back-to-back doubles by Harris and Haley Benshawl in the top of the third. Harris picked up an RBI when Buchner daringly dashed home on a pop fly that Lady Bison shortstop Melinda Owens tracked down near the left field line but was unable to stop and unload a strong throw to the plate.
Hannah Person had collected three hits for Williamsport, while Suzie Colesar joined Butler in the two-hit column for Clearfield.
Dixon was upbeat after the young Lady Bisons slipped to 1-5 in the CPL and 3-9 overall.
\”Even in losing, I\’m still happy with the way we\’re progressing,\” he said. \”We made a couple mistakes, but we\’re learning, and I can just see them getting better every game. I think we have a bright future.\”
Dixon also gave credit to his three senior starters, Julie Colesar, Megan Butler and Courtney Morgan, for their leadership.
\”With the adversity we\’ve faced, they\’re doing one heck of a job,\” he said. \”I\’m really impressed how hard they\’re playing.
\”They\’re setting a great example for the younger girls.\”
Clearfield plays at Bellefonte Friday.
WILLIAMSPORT — 4
Hannah Person ss 4030, Kelsey Harris cf 2111, Haley Benshawl 1b 3011, Maura Rose c 4000, Ally Miller 3b 2110, Dominique Thomas p 2000, Brooke Pompeo rf 2100, Melissa Wenzel lf 3011, Brynne Buchner 2b 2100. TOTALS: 24 4 7 3.
CLEARFIELD — 3
Janell Zalno cf 3000, Melinda Owens ss 3100, Megan Butler 3b 4100, Julie Colesar 1b 4010, Suzie Colesar lf 4022, Courtney Morgan 2b 4010, Andrea Butler p 3120, Mia Keener rf 3010, Carrie Harbold dp 1000, Tristan Lewis dp 2000, Chantel Read c (flex) 0000. TOTALS: 31 3 7 2.
Score by Innings:
Williamsport 001 012 0 – 4 7 3
Clearfield 000 021 0 – 3 7 4
Errors – Person, Benshawl, Buchner; Owens, M. Butler 3. LOB – Williamsport 6; Clearfield 12. 2B – Person, Harris, Benshawl, Miller; S. Colesar. Sac – Harris, Pompeo. SF – Harris. SB – Thomas.
Pitching
Williamsport – Thomas 7 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 6 K.
Clearfield – A. Butler 7 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K.
HB – A. Butler 1 (Thomas).
W – Thomas. L – A. Butler (3-7).
