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By LAURA SIMON Times Leader Sports Correspondent
Thursday, May 22, 2003 Page: 3B
NANTICOKE – With a solid pitcher in Jess Brenner and a stellar defense to
back her up, Greater Nanticoke Area’s goal is to win the District 2 Class 2A
softball title and then make a run in the state playoffs.
The Trojans took their first step in that direction on Wednesday with a 7-0
victory against GAR in a quarterfinal game.
“We set some goals to win the division and district playoffs,” said
Nanticoke assistant coach Bernie Dalmas. “Everything after that is gravy, but
the girls expect to go far and they should if they stay focused.”
Nanticoke (15-2) advanced to the semifinals with its victory, and will face
the winner of today’s Bishop Hoban at Meyers quarterfinal game. Nanticoke,
which won the Wyoming Valley Conference Division II regular-season title, beat
Hoban in last year’s district championship game. GAR (6-10) was eliminated.
Brenner, who has been a dominant force for the Trojans, gave up just one
hit while striking out eight.
“This was a pretty typical game for Jess,” Dalmas said. “She knows how
to hit her spots well and can focus on the weaknesses of the batter, which is
what makes her so good.”
However, Brenner gives a great deal of credit to her fielders. “They are
very good. Without them, we wouldn’t have had as many wins.”
Examples of Nanticoke’s top-notch defense could be seen throughout the
game, but especially during the top of the fourth inning when second baseman
Danielle Warren turned a pop up to shallow right-center by GAR’s Maria Sharpe
into a double-play.
“Our defense behind Jess is solid,” said shortstop Kristen Castano. “It
keeps getting better and better with each game, especially at this level
because you know what you have to do.”
The Trojan offense matched the defense as they racked up 13 hits. Their
first run came in the top of the third inning when Kaylee Ziolkowski’s single
brought Warren home from second base.
Leah Lavelle started the fifth inning with a single to center field, and
Castano followed up by beating GAR shortstop Laura Snyder’s throw to first for
an infield single. A single by Holly Walter and a double by Ziolkowski each
drove in a run, making the score 3-0.
Nanticoke added four more runs the sixth. Leanne Harvey led off with a walk
and scored off on an error following Lindsey Ludorf’s bunt. Lavelle followed
with an RBI single and, later in the inning, Walters hit a two-run single.
Brenner, a sophomore, then got the final three outs to extend an impressive
streak. She has not allowed a run in 44 innings of pitching in her scholastic
career.
She blanked opponents for 37 innings in last year’s playoffs. Brenner was
knocked out of action when she suffered a broken wrist in the ninth inning of
a game against Kutztown in the state quarterfinals. Nanticoke lost that game,
1-0, in 10 innings against the eventual 2A state champion.
“If we had the hits to back up our defense, we would have been in this
game,” GAR coach Margo Serafini said, “but we did great in the playoffs, so
I have no complaints.”
Abington 3, Tunnkhannock 2
CLARKS SUMMIT – Chrissy Semon and Caitlyn McAndrew hit homers that rallied
Abington Heights past Tunkhannock in a District 2-4 Class 3A quarterfinal
game.
Abington Heights (15-1), the third-seed in the tournament, advanced to the
semifinals and plays at second-seeded Hazleton Area (14-4) at 4:30 p.m. today.
Tunkhannock (8-10) was eliminated in a season that had an upbeat ending for
the Tigers.
“We put three wins together at the end for the first time all season,”
said Tunkhannock coach John Davis. “I believe that we finally started to
believe in ourselves. I though we made a lot of headway the last couple of
weeks.”
The Tigers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Alicia
Antoine singled, went to third on a hit by Jess Klimas, and scored on a passed
ball.
Abington Heights went ahead 2-1 on a two-run homer by McAndrew in the
bottom of the third inning.
Tunkhannock tied the score in the top of the fourth when Sara Gannon
singled, went to second on a fielder’s choice, and scored in a single by Jen
Lyman.
Abington Heights went ahead to stay in the bottom of the fourth on Semon’s
homer, as three of its four hits in the contest were for extra bases.
Valley View 4, Crestwood 1
ARCHBALD – Valley View scored four unearned runs in the first two innings
to defeat Crestwood in a District 2 Class 2A quarterfinal.
Valley View (14-2), the second seed in the tournament, advanced to the
semifinals and will host third-seeded Lakeland (14-2) at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow.
Crestwood (9-9), the seventh seed, was eliminated.
Ashley Williams went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead Valley View. Amy Licata
went 2-for-3 for Crestwood.
Hoban-Meyers ppd.
The Bishop Hoban at Meyers contest, a District 2 Class 2A quarterfinal, was
postponed on Wednesday as the result of a wet field. It was rescheduled for
3:30 p.m. today.