Bellefonte splits double header with Hollidaysburg

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: April 6, 2024

Photos by Tim Weight
By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – After a strong start to the 2024 season, the Bellefonte softball team looked to improve on its 3-0 record Saturday as they hosted Hollidaysburg in a weekend double header.

The Red Raiders got off to a sizzling start under rookie coach Erica DeVinney.

It would be a very exciting day for the Red Raiders as they opened the first game winning 4-0 and falling after a late game run, 11-10 in a thriller.

“Overall we did really well. Even when we’re down, we are coming back at them. We just ran out of time, said DeVinney. “It was tough weather conditions and they fought through the cold. I think with everything going on, I thought they did well today.”

Game one

Despite the cold conditions, Bellefonte hurler Carley Clarkson had her stuff working early and often as she scattered just three hits in the contest en route to a 4-0 victory over the Tigers.

Taking the loss for Hollidaysburg was Maria Malone.

The win upped its blistering strong start to 4-0.

Sadie Ripka led the offensive attack as she went 2-for-4 with a single and a double and an RBI in the morning contest.

Bellefonte finished with seven hits, four of which were doubles.

Picking up doubles for the Lady Raiders were Jaylee Lose, Grace Novitsky, Maria Cotter and Sadie Ripka.

After a scoreless first inning, the Lady Raiders broke out in the score column, playing a run.

Ragan Manning started off reaching on a Tigers miscue advancing her to third on the error.

Her time on base was short lived as she scored on a RBI double by Lose.

Bellefonte was at it again in the second, plating yet another run.

Cotter blasted her double right field. Teammate Grace Novitsky followed with a double of her own, scoring Cotter on the play, upping it to a 2-0 contest.

The game quickly moved along into the fourth where the Red Raider bats were at it again.

Madison Ripka singled to start the rally. Clarkson reached on an error by the shortstop, putting runners on first and second. Sadie Ripka loaded the bases as she smashed a single to up the lead to 3-0.

Bellefonte added another run late to improve their record to 4-0.

Game 2

The Lady Raiders were led by Sadie Ripka as she blasted two home runs in the second game against Hollidaysburg.

However, the Tigers would notch the win despite a late charge by the Bellefonte offense, winning 11-10.

Playing the second game as the visitors, it would be Ripka that got the game off and running in the first as she roped a lead off single to right.

Maria Cotter joined her teammate on the base paths notching a single of her own.

With one out, Ragan Manning doubled in Ripka as she one hopped a shot to the fence.

Jaylee Lose loaded the bases as she walked, setting the stage for Taylor Brown. Brown walked and picked up an RBI, upping the score to 2-0.

Madison Ripka also picked up an RBI walk, giving the Lady Raiders a 3-run advantage.

But the lead would be temporary as the Tigers rallied back for a 5-spot, making it a 5-3 contest.

Sadie Ripka launched round tripper number one blasting a solo shot over the left centerfield fence.

Manning added a double later in the inning but would be stranded there.

Sydney Shay, who finished with three hits in game two, singled. Teammate Maria Malone, who posted a game-high four hits, followed with a single as well. Both scored to increase the Hollidaysburg advantage to 7-4 as the teams headed into the third.

Brown led off the inning by taking a pitch for the team by getting hit by a pitch.

Sienna Barnhart blasted a massive two-run shot over the left field fencing, cutting it to 7-6.

Bellefonte’s defense held in the third.

Hollidaysburg’s did as well in the top of the fourth.

The Tigers extended the lead once again via a grand slam home run by Shay, upping it to an 11-6 contest going into the fifth inning.

The score would remain that way until the top of the sixth when Bellefonte once again would get the sticks working.

Mackenzie Ellenberger got things going sending a sizzling shot down third base.

Sadie Ripka came up huge again for her team blasting a 2-run homer to the same area she did in her first round tripper, cutting the lead to 11-8.

When the dust settled, the Raiders would score four runs in the inning, making it just an 11-10 advantage.

In the seventh, the Red Raiders would charge once again, loading the bases.

However, the Tigers were able to hold off the feisty Bellefonte crew, taking the high scoring contest.

First Game

Bellefonte 4, Hollidaysburg 0

H 000 000 0 – 0 3 3

B 011 0110 x – 4 7 0

WP: Carley Clarkson (B)

LP: Maria Malone (H)

Multiple hitters: H – None. B – Sadie Ripka 2-for-4.

HR: None

3B: None

2B: H – AJ Good . B – Jaylee Lose, Grace Novitsky, Maria Cotter, Sadie Ripka.

Second game

Hollidaysburg 11, Bellefonte 10

B 312 004 0 – 10 12 1

H 520400 x – 11 11 2

WP: Mickaylah Vincent

LP: Alaina Smith

Multiple hitters: H – Sydney Shay 3-for-5 4RBIs, 2 runs, Maria Malone 4-for-5 2RBI, 2 Runs, AJ Good 2-for-3 2RBI, run. B – Sadie Ripka 3-for-5, 2 home runs, Mackenzie Ellenberger 3-for-4 run, Ragan Manning 2-for-4, run, RBI.

HR: H – Sidney Shay (Grand Slam). B – Sadie Ripka (2), Sienna Barnhart

3B: H – None. B – None.

2B: H – None. B – Ragan Manning (2).