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Lellock provides game-winner in sixth over Clearfield |
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Written by Brian Pakutz
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Thursday, 15 May 2008 |
 Punxsy catcher Sara Ruehle (left) hugs pitcher Angie Burke Wednesday after she struck out Clearfield’s Carrie Harbold in the top of the seventh inning for the final out. The Lady Chucks won, 3-2. (Photo by Brian Pakutz)
PUNXSUTAWNEY -- The Lady Chucks set out to do one thing Wednesday afternoon at Harry Noerr Field as they head into the District IX Class AAA playoffs: Beat their rivals, the Lady Bisons.
Punxsutawney headed into the bottom of the sixth inning forged in a 2-2 tie after surrendering the tying run in the top of the sixth, and was determined to score at least one more run to regain the lead.
With one out in the sixth, Punxsy catcher Sara Ruehle roped a double to right-center field off Clearfield pitcher Mandy Rowles, and the rally was on.
Immediately following Ruehle’s clutch hit, courtesy runner Ashley Barenchik stole third to set up the go-ahead run. The next pitch that Rowles delivered was hit by right fielder Amber Lellock for a game-winning single that set the final score at 3-2.
“She came through. ... She’s been a pleasant surprise this year hitting the ball at different times,” Lady Chucks manager Alan Pifer said of Lellock’s game-winning single. “She has a good eye at the plate, she’s disciplined, she doesn’t swing at bad pitches, and she usually has enough pop. She found the spot, and that’s all that it takes sometimes.”
Lellock’s big hit couldn’t have come at a more crucial time, since the Lady Bisons posed a threat at the plate the entire game.
Clearfield broke the ice first in the fourth inning when its third baseman, Meghan Butler, led the inning off with a single to right field.
A sacrifice bunt by Ashley Lias moved the runner over to second, and Rowles followed with a questionable infield single -- the play was ruled that Punxsy first baseman Tina Elgin’s foot was off the bag when she caught the throw from shortstop Angela Laska.
Butler eventually scored on a passed ball by Lady Chucks pitcher Angela Burke.
After giving up the first run of the game, the Lady Chucks answered in the bottom of the inning with two runs.
Punxsy second baseman Kelsey McFarland led off the fourth inning with a walk, and center fielder Allie Miller followed with a double to left field to put runners on second and third. Elgin then drove both runners home after she laced a double to left-center field to put the Lady Chucks ahead, 2-1.
“My girls did a great job today putting the bat on the ball,” Pifer said. “The fact that the girls were able to come out and make the adjustments was big. We’ve been working hard in the gym going back to the fundamentals, and the girls said it in our team meeting at the end of the game that the fundamentals paid off.”
Clearfield’s second and final run of the game was produced in the top of the sixth inning. Second baseman Alanna Luzier led off the inning with a single up the right side and was later driven home on Rowles’ RBI double down the first-base line.
Earning the win on the mound for Punxsy was Burke. In her complete-game effort, she surrendered two earned runs on five hits, walked none and struck out seven.
Burke also hit one batter in the top of the third inning -- Clearfield’s Carrie Harbold on the helmet.
“Angie’s been a quality pitcher all year for us.” Pifer said. “She didn’t have as much command of a couple of her pitches like she usually does today, but still she was able to put most of her balls where she wanted to, and that’s key.
“A lot of girls might get rattled on the mound when (they hit a batter), but this kid has ice water in her veins,” Pifer added.
Taking the loss for Clearfield was Rowles. In Rowles’ six-inning effort, she allowed three earned runs on six hits, walked three and had two Ks.
“You play the whole season for the playoffs,” Pifer said. “I feel confident that we’re heading back in the right direction.” |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 16 May 2008 )
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