Ramettes win pitching duel with Lady Wolves, 1-0
JOHNSONBURG – Priscilla Ehrensberger’s one out base hit to right field scored pinch runner Marlee Cherry from second base in the bottom of the seventh for the game’s only run in the Paper City’s win over Kane at the Knothole Fields on Tuesday.
Julia Jones and the Lady Wolve’s Madison Stahli pitched gems. The Ramette hurler struck out 15, gave up two hits, two walks, and hit a batter. Stahli K’d two, walked a pair and gave up four hits.
The victory improved Johnsonburg to 9-5. The Lady Wolves are 8-5. Both teams are in the mix for the top seed for the upcoming District 9 Class 2A playoffs. The Ramettes won the first meeting in Kane 14-7 on Apr. 12.
The game included several great defensive plays including two each by Ehrensberger in center and Lady Wolve left fielder Kylie Iak.
“That was on old fashion pitching duel and we both made big plays defensively,” said Paper City head coach Gary Gerber. “We made enough plays to hold them off the board, but we couldn’t string hits together. We’d get one here or there but couldn’t tie up their pitcher – who did a nice job.”
Lady Wolve assistant Keith Anderson, filling in for head coach Pat Tigani who was under the weather, was pleased with the team’s performance.
“It was a great effort by our girls. Tip your hat to Julia, she’s a great pitcher who’s tough to hit off, but I’m very proud of how our girls battled and proud of how great Maddie pitched. It didn’t come out the way we wanted it to, but again, I’m very proud of our girls.”
Jones hit Maya Smith to open the game but responded with three strike outs. She then K’d all three Lady Wolves in the second. With one out in the bottom of the first, a grounder to Stahli from Jones took a funny spin allowing her to reach first. The Kane pitcher retired the next two hitters on a fly out and strikeout. She escaped a one out double by Zoey Grunthaner in the second. Julie Peterson singled but Grunthaner was caught at the plate on a nice relay throw from Iak to third baseman Hailey Slater. Stahli got a pop out to end the inning.
Iak drew a walk to open the third, but Jones got out of the inning with three groundouts. Errors allowed Jones and Jenna Kasmierski to reach base with two outs in the bottom of the inning. Stahli got Shelby Sorg to flyout to end the threat.
Catcher Jenny Crowley got Kane’s first hit in the fourth with one out. Jones responded with two strikeouts. Stahli retired the Ramettes in order in the bottom of the inning and again in the fifth after Jones did the same in the top of the frame.
Smith reached on a passed ball third strike to open the sixth but was left on base when Jones recorded another K, and Ehrensberger made two great grabs on sinking fly balls by Stahli and Crowley. With one out in the bottom of the inning Iak made a great, leaping grab of a line drive off the bat of Kasmierski. Stahli then survived a two out walk to Sorg by getting shortstop Payton Delhunty to line out hard to Smith at short.
The Kane girls threatened in the seventh when Slater drew a walk and moved to second on a one out single by right fielder Makieya Mcguire. A grounder to Delhunty off the bat of Iak got Slater at third and Jones ended the inning with a strikeout.
Grunthaner started the final at bat with a single but was caught stealing before Julie Peterson reached on an error. Cherry came in to pinch run, stole second, and came home on Ehrensberger’s smack.
Gerber praised Jones and his team’s defense
“Julia didn’t panic when they got runners on, and we made the needed defensive plays. The girls kept the ball in front of them and Priscilla had two great catches and got the winning hit – so that was nice to see from her.”
Anderson left the field optimistic despite the loss.
“I told the girls if we play clean and get some timely hits, we can compete with anybody.
Again, I’m very proud of the girls today.”
That type of play will be necessary with a double header against always tough Dubois Central Catholic on Thursday at Heindl Field in Dubois. The Lady Cardinals entered their game Tuesday at Claysburg-kimmel 13-1. The regular season ends with a double header against 4A Bradford at UPB on Monday. The playoffs are set to start on May 23 or 24.
The Ramettes travel to 11-4 Elk County Catholic today. The Lady Crusaders will look to avenge their 7-4 loss in last week’s Elk County Tournament opener. They won 12-6 in Johnsonburg on Apr. 13.
“We have to have the same intensity we had when we played them at the Elk County Tournament,” said Gerber.
Today’s game will start at 5:30 p.m. and will air on WKBI-93.9 FM-B94.
The Paper City girls play their fourth game in as many days at Smethport on Thursday.
Johnsonburg 1, Kane 0
Kane 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 2 4 J-burg 0 0 0 0 0 01 1 4 0 H-AB-RBI-R Kane: Smith 0-2-0-0, Tigani 0-3-0-0, Stahli 0-3-0-0, Crowley 1-3-00, Slater 0-2-0-0, Walter 0-3-0-0, Mcguire 1-3-0-0, Iak 0-2-0-0, Sheaffer 0-3-0-0, Peterson 0-0-0-0,Totals 2-24-0-0.
Johnsonburg: Dunworth 0-3-0-0, Jones 0-3-0-0, Kasmierski 0-3-0-0, Sorg 0-2-00, Delhunty 0-3-0-0, Grunthaner 2-3-0-0, Peterson 1-3-0-0, Cherry 0-0-0-1, Ehrensberger 1-3-1-0, Casilio 0-20-0, Totals 4-25-1-1.
2B - J-burg - Grunthaner; BB - Kane - Slater, Iak, J-burg - Sorg; HBP - Kane - Smith; SB - J-burg Cherry.
IP-H-R-ER-SO-BBHB
Kane: Stahli (L) 6.14-1-0, 2-1-0.
Johnsonburg: Jones (W) 7-2-0-0-15-2-1.