Tyrone’s Lady Eagle softball team played a very energetic game against Penns Valley on Thursday, but still were unable to ward off the Ram’s power hitters in a 5-0 loss.
A strong double to center field by Tyrone’s Ashley Pennabaker started off the game on a high note, but was followed by three strikeouts, allowing Penns Valley to step up to a strong but run-free inning.
In the top of the second, Tyrone’s Lindsay Christine made it to third with a little help from a single by Stefani Bryan and a sacrifice bunt from Teanna Kobuck, but the extra effort was again quelled by a firm Penns Valley defense.
At the bottom of the third however, the scoreboard began to light up. Kara Myers of Penns Valley helped along Toot McCool and Holly Heindricks with a double to garner her two RBI’s for the afternoon and bring the score to 2-0.
The next several innings saw Tyrone’s offense holding strong, picking up the energy necessary in the infield to put away several valiant attempts by the Lady Rams.
Innings were kept short, making the battle even more suspenseful.
At the top of the seventh, Penns Valley was on fire, scoring three consecutive runs by Jessica Neese, Alana Leitch and Jamie Leitch. Two were batted in by Jamie Leitch and the first was assisted by a sacrifice from Myers.
The Lady Eagles rallied at the bottom of the inning with base hits by Ashley Pennabaker and Ashley Ripka, but the Rams overtook them in the end, 5-0. Tyrone’s current record for the season is 5-11.
Pannebaker led the Lady Eagles with three hits, including the leadoff double to total half of the Tyrone girls hits in the game. Ashley Ripka, Lindsay Christine and Stefani Bryan singled for the Lady Eagles other hits.
Head Coach Lois Loncher was optimistic about her team’s efforts, “We played very well today. We got people on, but we weren’t able to finish the deal. If we continue to play like this, we’re going to finish the season strong.”
Pam Heinrichs scattered six Tyrone hits, striking out nine and walking two to pick up the win for the Lady Rams, who improve to 10-3.
Kara Myers and Jamie Leitch each drove in two runs for Penns Valley.
Tyrone (5-11) takes the field again on Monday, May 8 at Hollidaysburg. The first pitch is set for 4 p.m.
Penns Valley 5 Tyrone 0
Tyrone – Pennabaker, CF, 4-0-3; Ripka, SS, 4-0-1; Turiano, 3B, 4-0-0; Cherry, C, 3-0-0; Christine, 1B, 3-0-1; Kobuck, LF, 0-0-0; Bryan, P, 3-0-1; S. Shultz, RF, 1-0-0; Garbinsky, 2B, 3-0-0. TOTALS: 25-0-6.
Penns Valley – McCool, 2B, 4-1-1; VanVector, 3B, 4-0-2; H. Heinrichs, SS, 4-1-1; K. Myers, C, 3-0-2; Gordon, DP, 3-0-1; Neese, 1B, 2-0-0; Myers, LF, 2-0-0, A Leitch, RF, 2-1-0; J. Leitch, CF, 2-1-1, P. Heinrichs, P 0-0-0. TOTALS: 26-5-8
TYRONE 000 000 0 0-6-1.
PENNS VALLEY 002 003 0 5-8-1.
Multiple Hits: (T) Pennabaker, (PV) VanVector, K. Myers
2B: (T) Pennabaker, (PV) H. Heinrichs, K. Myers.
RBI: (PV) K. Myers 2, J. Leitch 2.
SO: (T) Bryan 0, (PV) P. Heinrichs 9.
BB: (T) Bryan 2, (PV) P. Heinrichs 2.
WP: P. Heinrichs LP: Bryan
