Mounties 7-run inning breaks open close contest against Red Raiders

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: March 29, 2019

By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – After picking up a win in their opener, the Bellefonte softball team welcomed in defending PIAA State Champion Philipsburg-Osceola Thursday.

For four innings, the two battled back and forth as the Mounties led just 2-1.

However, in the top of the fifth, Philipsburg-Osceola found the gaps and exploded for a 7-run inning.

The Mounties added two more in the sixth while keeping the Red Raiders bats scoreless en route to the 11-1 victory.

“We competed the entire game. We competed really, really well,” said Bellefonte coach Travis Foster. “That’s just Philipsburg for you. They swing it well. They are super aggressive and they showed it in their one inning. We made a couple mistakes and they hit it pretty hard. That’s what they do. I’m super proud of Emily Pugh. Emily came in at a spot where we needed her to throw and we needed her to throw a lot and she did everything she was asked to do. She competed hard and she executed when we really needed her to and I’m proud of her.”

PO’s Kam Harris picked up the win as she went the distance striking out nine batters and allowing just two hits.

Offensively, Roselyn Weaver led the Mounties offense goin 3-for-3 with 3 RBI a 2-run Home run. Kendra Corns went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Rounding out the top hitters was Rachel Simpson who also went 2-for-3 RBI and Harris’ 2-for3 night highlighted by a 2-run home run.

Both defenses were tough in the first two innings.

After holding Philipsburg -Osceola scoreless in the top of the third, the Red Raiders jumped on the scoreboard.

Lily Gardner got things started as she payed down a bunt down the first baseline and hustled it out for the infield hit.

She then stole second and moved up to third on an overthrow into centerfield. Lead off hitter Mallorie Smith smashes a shot into centerfield, scoring Gardner to make it 1-0.

However, the Bellefonte lead was only temporary as the Mounties returned the favor as Weaver blasted a 2-run shot over the right field fence, taking the lead 2-1.

Philipsburg-Osceola held Bellefonte in check in the bottom of the inning.

In the fifth, the Mounties’ bats came alive.

With two outs and Madison Lucas standing on second, the runs started to come.

Adria Lewis reaches on a Bellefonte miscue in the outfield. Lucas scores on the play, upping it to 3-1.

Lewis scored easily when Simpson blasted a double into the gap in left.

Weaver followed in Simpson’s footsteps as she also doubled to bring in Simpson, making it 5-1.

Corns made it three-in-a-row as she doubled as well, this time scoring Weaver.

With a 6-1 advantage, Corns scored on an RBI single to left by pinch hitter MaKayla Williams. She was replaced on the base paths by Landon Cutler. Cutler moved up to third on a single to right field.

Standing on third, Cutler took advantage of a wild pitch to score.

Williams moves up to third on the pitch.

Kylie Adams singles in Williams as she tried to stretch a single into a double before getting tagged out.

But that would be all the Mounties needed as they kept the Red Raiders at bay in the bottom of the inning.

PO added a a 2-run home run by Harris to make it 11-1.

In their last bats, Bellefonte hit the ball hard but right to the Mounties.

But the night will not be remembered long as the Red Raiders go back on the road Friday as they travel to Central Mountain.

Philipsburg-Osceola 11, Bellefonte 1 (6 innings)

PO 000 272 x – 11 14 0

BE 001 000 x – 1 2 1

WP: Kam Harris (PO)

LP: Emily Pugh (BE)

Multiple hitters: Philipsburg- Osceola – Roselyn Weaver 3-for-3 3RBI, HR, Corns 2-for-3 RBI, Simpson 2-for-3 RBI, Harris 2-for-3 HR 2 RBI. Bellefonte – None.

HR: PO – Weaver, Harris. BE – None.

3B: None

2B: PO – Simpson, Weaver, Corns.