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Lady Chucks make up for last year's disappointment, win by two |
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Written by Dan Walk
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Thursday, 29 May 2008 |
 The Punxsy varsity softball team celebrates after clinching the district title Wednesday afternoon in Brockway against Clearfield. Members of the Lady Chucks mob Angela Burke (right) after she threw a complete-game gem. (Photo by Dan Walk)
BROCKWAY -- With eight seniors that were prevalent from 2006's squad who reached the state title game gone, 2008 was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Lady Chucks. Many girls hadn't a taste of varsity ball, and a slow start seemed inevitable.
However, the Lady Chucks ignored the way things were supposed to be and created something much better than anyone could expect -- a District IX Class AAA Championship. That came Wednesday in Brockway after Punxsy defeated No. 1-seeded Clearfield, 3-1.
"We did what we had to. We said at the beginning of the season, our goal was to win the district, and I'm really glad we did. I'm really happy for the girls," Punxsy manager Alan Pifer said. "A lot of people felt we would be lucky to be a .500 team after losing eight senior starters. The kids have done a great job, with a lot of girls in new positions. I think they have exceeded my expectations. And to get this win against a tough Clearfield team is just icing on the cake."
Punxsy will now face the winner out of District 7 at a time and venue to be determined Monday to start the state tournament.
Angela Burke was the star of the show, as she allowed just one run on a wild pitch during a complete-game, seven-strikeout effort. At the plate, the junior was 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
"On her hitting, her confidence had been down. We've been working on her, trying to get mostly her confidence back, because we know she can hit the ball," Pifer said. "The last couple of days, she started to get her confidence back, and it showed today on the field."
Burke's confidence on the mound has never been an issue. She allowed just three hits and only two girls reached third base.
"Burke did a really good job," Pifer said. "It's probably a cliché now -- she's a cool customer on the mound. She doesn't get rattled."
Clearfield scored its only run thanks to a single and a wild pitch in the fourth inning. With one out, Megan Butler on third base and cleanup-hitter Mandy Rowles at the plate, Pifer called for drop balls, which usually work on Rowles. But one bounced past Punxsy catcher Sara Ruehle, and Butler scored.
Punxsy was quick to answer that run, as Amber Lellock reached second base following an error in right field. Angela Laska's single and stolen base put runners on second and third base, and Burke tied the game up with an RBI single.
Alaina Luzier's one-out double started Clearfield's rally in the sixth inning, but Punxsy's defense kept the score at one run apiece. With runners on first and third base and two outs, Rowles drove the first pitch she saw to right field. But Lellock ran under the ball and made the play.
Lellock continued to make plays for the Lady Chucks in the seventh inning, as she led off the inning with a single. Two batters later, Laska's single moved her to third, but it was another error which scored Lellock. Punxsy made certain the lead would be larger than one, as Burke's second two-out RBI single of the game made it 3-1 Lady Chucks.
Rowles ended up pitching all seven innings, and none of Punxsy's runs were earned. But the Lady Chucks could care less if those were earned runs. They earned the win, and a district title that not many saw coming once 2007 ended.
"It might not have been the prettiest win in the world, but we'll take it," Pifer said. "But we achieved our goal here at districts, and now, hopefully, we can move on step further." |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 30 May 2008 )
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