Hilary McNelis started out by opening the girls softball season by tossing a no-hitter. Against a very tough Penns Valley team, Hilary threw a tough nine-inning contest that was ended on a Tyrone error that cost the Lady Eagles the ballgame in extra frames. On Wednesday afternoon, the talented Tyrone junior, who is described by Tyrone coach Lois Loncher as “being in a zone right now,” outdueled Lewistown’s Angela Rocco 1-0 in a match that pitted two of the better pitchers in area softball circles.
After Katie Whitby opened the game at Tyrone’s Harry B. Sickler Athletic Complex with a single and Heather Stanton sacrificed her to second, Missy Stager drilled the ball for a base hit to send Whitby home with the only run either pitcher would allow to score all game. Stager also doubled in the third and walked in the fifth stanza to enjoy a perfect day at the plate, the only player on either squad with multiple hits. Whitby and Stager are the only Tyrone players who have a hit in each of the Lady Eagles first three ballgames.
McNelis gave up three singles, struck out 10 and walked just one in six innings and Rocco allowed one run on four hits, fanned nine and walked a pair, nearly matching McNelis pitch-for-pitch.
Missy hit the ball really well today, driving in the only run of the game,” said Loncher. “Hilary is really in a zone right now-she is at the top of her game. We have a good bunch of kids who are willing to work hard and put in extra time. At this point, we are not hitting the ball like we are capable, but because of the extra work and time the girls are putting in, we will be.”
The next action for the Tyrone softball team (2-1) will be Monday, April 12, at Bald Eagle Area. The first pitch is set for 4 p.m.
Tyrone 1 Lewistown 0
LEWISTOWN – Reynolds, 2b, 3-0-0; Stott, c, 3-0-0; Charlesworth, cf, 3-0-0; Rocco, p, 2-0-0; Moist, 1b, 3-0-0; Stimely, 3b, 3-0-1; Condon, lf, 3-0-0; Bailor, rf, 3-0-0; Maginnis, ss, 2-0-1. TOTALS 25-0-3.
TYRONE – Whitby, cf, 3-1-1; Stanton, 1b, 2-0-0; Stager, 2b, 2-0-2; McNelis, p, 1-0-0; Bryan, 3b, 2-0-0, McAllister, 3b, 1-0-0; Cherry, c, 3-0-1; Catich, ss, 3-0-0; Schreckengost, dp, 2-0-0; Ripka, lf, 3-0-0, Pennabaker, rf, 0-0-0. TOTALS 22-1-4.
Lewistown 000 000 0 0-2-3
Tyrone 100 000 X 1-4-1
Multiple Hits: T- Stager (2).
2B: T- Stager 1.
RBI: T- Stager 1.
SO: L- Rocco 9, T- McNelis 10.
BB: L- Rocco 2, T- McNelis 1.
WP: McNelis LP: Rocco
