HYDE — Winning pitcher Rachel Hoffman and Megan Vanderburgh, two of the four Clearfield Area High School softball players honored during pre-game ceremonies, combined for five hits and six runs driven in as the Lady Bison celebrated Senior Appreciation Day in style by defeating Altoona 10-1 at the Bison Sports Complex Tuesday.
One of Hoffman’s three hits and four RBIs was a long fourth-inning home run to left center that was No. 18 in her four-year career, tying 2012 graduate B.J. Bowman for the school record.
“That was a bomb, no doubt about that,” second-year coach Bob Lewis said.
Pitt-Johnstown commit Hoffman also went the distance in the circle, spinning a seven-hitter with nine strikeouts for her 20th career victory. She walked three and hit one batter, and lost a shutout because of an unearned run in the third inning.
Vanderburgh, who will play college ball at Shenandoah (Va.), maintained her .400-plus batting average with a pair of run-scoring hits, one a double. She also scored a run and handled all five chances as the inner defense anchor at shortstop.
“That’s a great day (for Hoffman and Vanderburgh),” Lewis said after checking the scorebook for their numbers at the plate.
Taylor Luzier and Samantha Foster were the other Lady Bison playing their last game at the BSC.
Taylor, the designated player most of the season, drove in a run, while Foster made her second start at third base and reached base twice via a walk and being hit by a pitch.
“The seniors all-around had a great game,” Lewis said. “I’m very proud of Sam for stepping in. She’s understood her role. And Taylor’s been hitting the ball all year.
“All those seniors are great leaders. They’ve done nothing but work for us, and they’re very, very coachable. They’re very, very respectful, polite girls.
“When the season’s all said and done, I’m gonna miss ‘em.”
Leadoff batter Karlie Lewis and No. 2 hitter Lauren Butler provided the RBI opportunities for Vanderburgh and Hoffman.
The two sophomores had three singes apiece, a career first for center fielder Lewis, and scored every time they got to Lady Lion hurlers Alyssa Fasolo and Alexa Young.
“Those two set the table,” coach Lewis said, noting Butler also had a sacrifice bunt that led to Clearfield‘s run in the first inning. “I’ve been searching for a combination to jump-start the lineup, and those two really did.”
Locked in a 1-1 tie, the Lady Bison took control with four runs in the third inning.
After Lewis rammed a single through the left side, Butler attempted another sac bunt but beat it out for a hit and Vanderburgh doubled down the left field line for the game-winning hit.
Insurance runs crossed the plate on Devynn Ireland’s single to right, Luzier’s grounder and a wild pitch.
Clearfield (7-12) added two runs in the fourth and three in the sixth when Vanderburgh ripped a single to left center for one RBI and Hoffman followed with a triple to the left center gap.
Sckylaur Kane, Amanda Parrish and Marena Simington each had two hits for Altoona (3-15).
Prior to the first pitch, the four Lady Bison seniors and their parents were introduced by assistant coach Fred Redden and presented gifts by Lewis.
Also recognized and receiving flowers were Lady Lion seniors Kane, Parrish and Jasmine Butler.
Clearfield’s final tune-up for the District 9 Class AAA Playoffs will be at Hollidaysburg Thursday.
ALTOONA — 1
Karlee Swander lf 3000, Sckylaur Kane cf 4021, Amanda Parrish ss 4020, Andrea Parrish 1b 3000, Jasmine Butler c 3010, Alexa Young dh-p 2000, McKenna Daniels 3b 3000, Emily Little rf 3000, Marena Simington 2b 3120, Alyssa Fasolo p (flex) 0000. TOTALS: 28 1 7 1.
CLEARFIELD — 10
Karlie Lewis cf 4330, Lauren Butler 2b 3330, Megan Vanderburgh ss 4222, Rachel Hoffman p 4134, Devynn Ireland c 3111, Taylor Luzier dp 4001, Samantha Foster 3b 2000, Macala Leigey rf 3000, Raeleigh Redden lf 3000, Victoria Ireland 1b (flex) 0000. TOTALS: 30 10 12 8.
Score by Innings
Altoona 001 000 0 – 1 7 0
Clearfield 104 203 x – 10 12 2
E – D. Ireland, Leigey. PB – J. Butler. LOB – Altoona 9; Clearfield 7. 2B – Vanderburgh. 3B – Amanda Parrish; Hoffman. HR – Hoffman (5). Sac – L. Butler. SB – L. Butler, Foster.
Pitching
Altoona – Fasolo 3 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 B, 2 K; Young 3 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K.
Clearfield – Hoffman 7 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 9 K.
HB – Fasolo 1 (Foster). WP – Fasolo 1; Hoffman 4.
W – Hoffman (5-10). L – Fasolo.
Umpires – J.R. Rosselli (plate) and Jay Siegel (bases).
Lady Bison Scoreboard:
| Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
| 3/24 | @ Central | 0 – 10 | 0 – 1 |
| 3/25 | @ Central Mountain | ppd. | 0 – 1 |
| 3/27 | @ Huntingdon | 8 – 4 | 1 – 1 |
| 3/31 | @ Central Mountain | 1 – 12 | 1 – 2 |
| 4/01 | BALD EAGLE AREA | 2 – 7 | 1 – 3 |
| 4/04 | BELLEFONTE | ppd. | 1 – 3 |
| 4/07 | @ Tyrone | ppd. | 1 – 3 |
| 4/08 | @ Tyrone | ppd. | 1 – 3 |
| 4/09 | BELLEFONTE | 4 – 5 | 1 – 4 |
| 4/10 | PENNS VALLEY | 7 – 6 | 2 – 4 |
| 4/14 | BROOKVILLE | ppd. | 2 – 4 |
| 4/16 | PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA | ppd. | 2 – 4 |
| 4/17 | CENTRAL | 2 – 7 | 2 – 5 |
| 4/22 | HUNTINGDON | 1 – 7 | 2 – 6 |
| 4/23 | @ Bradford | ppd. | 2 – 6 |
| 4/24 | @ Bald Eagle Area | 5 – 10 | 2 – 7 |
| 4/25 | @ Bradford | ppd. | 2 – 7 |
| 4/28 | @ Tyrone | 11 – 1 | 3 – 7 |
| 4/29 | @ Bellefonte | ppd. | 3 – 7 |
| 4/30 | PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA | ppd. | 3 – 7 |
| 5/01 | PUNXSUTAWNEY | 1 – 9 | 3 – 8 |
| 5/02 | TYRONE | 13 – 3 | 4 – 8 |
| 5/05 | @ Penns Valley | 1 – 2 | 4 – 9 |
| 5/06 | @ Bradford | 7 – 2 | 5 – 9 |
| 5/07 | BROOKVILLE | 13 – 3 | 6 – 9 |
| 5/08 | @ Philipsburg-Osceola | 11 – 0 | 6 – 10 |
| 5/08 | @ Philipsburg-Osceola | 11 – 1 | 6 – 11 |
| 5/12 | @ Bellefonte | 1 – 6 | 6 – 12 |
| 5/13 | ALTOONA | 10 – 1 | 7 – 12 |
| 5/15 | @ Hollidaysburg |
