MAJOR SOFTBALL ALL-STARS WIN
St. Marys defeated Warren 13-0 in three innings.
The St. Marys Little League Softball Major League All-Star team opened play in the District 10 tournament on Saturday, defeating Warren by a score of 16-0 in three innings in a contest played at Benzinger Park.
While the game was originally slated for 4 p.m., inclement weather passing through the area resulted in the start being delayed until close to 6 p.m. Once the game got going though, St. Marys made quick work of their opponent.
Avery Eckels was stellar in the circle for St. Marys, striking out eight of the nine batters she faced. The remaining out in Eckels’ perfect outing was a popup fielded by infielder Zoe Romanic for the final out of the game.
At the plate, Kaylen Eozzo went three-forthree for St. Marys with a triple and a double. Eozzo also scored three runs. Other St. Marys players with doubles in the game were Eckels, Addison Beimel, and Bailey Thorwart.
Since St. Marys was the home team, they only batted in two innings of the contest. In her two innings of work in the circle for Warren, Riley Gafner gave up 12 hits, walked eight, and struck out one.
After Eckels struck out the side in the top half of the first inning, St. Marys batted around in the home half of the inning, putting 13 runs on the board and taking a commanding lead in the game.
Thorwart set the tone right off the bat as she led off the bottom of the inning with a double and then scored on a triple by Eozzo. Molly Hanslovan drew a walk to join Eozzo on base, and then both scored on a single by Eckels. Eckels would go on to score on an error by Warren’s catcher. Sidney Reider and Alison Mertz drew back-to-back walks, and then both scored on a single by Sophie Surra. Surra advanced to second on an error and third on a passed ball before scoring on a groundout by Giuliana Muccio for the first out of the inning. Addison Beimel hit a double and then Thorwart came back up to bat and singled. Both went on to score on an error. Eozzo singled and also scored on an error. Hanslovan singled and Romanic drew a walk. A single by Reider scored Hanslovan. Mertz walked, loading the bases. A single by Surra scored Romanic and kept the bases loaded. Muccio then drew a walk, scoring Reider. A strikeout and a popup to the pitcher finally ended the inning with St. Marys ahead 13-0.
Eckels once again struck out the side in the top of the second inning.
St. Marys scored their final three runs of the game in the home half of the inning.
Eozzo led off with a double and then Hanslovan drew a walk to join her on base. Both scored on a double by Eckels. Alexa Uhl drew a walk to join Eckels on base. Eckels scored on the first of three straight groundouts to the Warren’s third baseman. The inning ended with St. Marys ahead 16-0.
Eckels made quick work of Warren’s first two batters in the top of the third inning. Marli Rectenwald fouled off a few pitches before popping up to Romanic, who made the catch to end the game with St. Marys winning 16-0 in three innings.
With the win, St. Marys advanced to the semifinals of the winners’ bracket. Because of inclement weather on Saturday, the opening round game between Bradford and PM/S-MJ was postponed until Sunday. Bradford won 10-0. St. Marys will host Bradford tonight in a 6 p.m. game at Benzinger Park.
In the other opening round game, Punxsutawney defeated Brookville by a score of 15-1. Punxsutawney will take on DuBois today at 6 p.m. in the other winners’ bracket semifinal. DuBois had an opening round bye in the tournament.
Warren Tegan Wightman 1-0-0, Riley Gafner 1-0-0, Nakita Nelson 1-0-0, Alexis Jones 1-00, Alanna Byrd 1-0-0, Alanna Warrior 1-00, Peyton Haag 1-0-0, Marli Rectenwald 1-00. Totals 9-0-0.
St. Marys Bailey Thorwart 3-2-2, Kaylen Eozzo 3-3-3, Molly Hanslovan 1-3-1, Avery Eckels 2-2-2, Sidney Reider 1-2-1, Alexa Uhl 0-0-0, Alison Mertz 0-1-0, Zoe Romanic 1-1-0, Sophie Surra 2-1-2, Samantha Kahnell 1-0-0, Giuliana Muccio 2-0-0, Addison Beimel 2-1-1. Totals 18-16-12.
Score by innings R Warren 0 00 0 St. Marys (13)3x 16