NEW BETHLEHEM – The Curwensville Lady Tide softball team, defending PIAA Class A state champions, unleashed a twelve hit, 13 run attack on Redbank Valley in their season opener Tuesday, winning 13-2.
The Lady Tide scored in every inning to have the game called after six innings were played due to the ten run rule. The victory was the eleventh straight for Curwensville dating back to last season on their run to the state title.
Allen Leigey, Tide head coach, liked what he saw Tuesday afternoon on the road, “I was very pleased with how we hit the ball. We had a lot of contact at the plate as we only struck out two times.” Defense was also a highlight as Leigey continued, “Our defense made plays, both in the infield and the outfield which is satisfying this early in the year.”
The big inning was the third for Curwensville as they pushed five runs across to take command of the contest, leading 7-2 after three frames.
Eight Lady Tide had base hits in the season opener as Molly Demchak led the way with three including a double. Seniors Sara Clark and Lindsay Barrett each had two. Winning pitcher Stacey Johnson, left fielder Rachel Holland and designated player Katie Wriglesworth all had two RBI’s.
The Lady Bulldogs were paced by catcher Tsrittany Hildebrand with a two run first inning home run.
Leigey was also happy with how his squad handled a little first inning adversity, “We had a little bit of adversity in the first after the two run homer gave Redbank the lead. Then it was great to watch us answer with a run in the top of the second to tie the game at two.”
Johnson also impressed her coach, “Stacey pitched well the entire game and didn’t get rattled at all after the first inning home run. That was very important for us.”
The Lady Tide will be on the road once again on Thursday as they journey to Ridgway to play the Lady Elkers at 4 pm.
CURWENSVILLE – 13
Sara Clark ss 5121, Tess Bloom cf 5310, Stacey Johnson p 2312, Molly Demchak 3b 5131, Abby Johnson pr 0100, Rachel Holland lf 4112, Lindsay Barrett 1b 3221, Macy Palmer c 4111, Katie Wriglesworth dp 2012, Maddie Peterman rf 3001, Cheynne Pentz flex/2b 0000, TOTALS – 33 13 12 11
REDBANK VALLEY – 2
Alex Bell rf 2100, Alaina Kunselmen ss 2000, Rachele Miller 1b 3000, Tsrittany Hildebrand c 2112, Spencer Hepler dp 3000, Trisha Crandord 3b 2000, Hope Crandord lf 2000, Emily Smith cf 2000, Haley Runick 2b 1010, Lindsey Jones flex/p 0000, TOTALS – 19 2 2 2
SCORE BY INNINGS R H E
CURWENSVILLE 115 222 X 13 12 0
REDBANK VALLEY 200 000 X 2 2 7
ERRORS – T. Crandord 2, H. Crandord, Runick 3, Smith LOB – Curwensville 9 Redbank Valley 3 2B – Demchak HR – Hildebrand (2 run, 1st) DP – Redbank Valley
HBP – Bell, Rancik (by Johnson) Johnson, Barrett (by Jones)
PITCHING IP H R ER BB K HBP
CURWENSVILLE
Johnson 6 2 2 2 1 8 2
REDBANK VALLEY
Jones 6 12 13 11 5 2 2
WP – Johnson (1-0) LP – Jones