Lady Wildcats split pair of doubleheaders
The Lady Wildcats softball team had a successful week finishing with four wins and two losses during the stretch.
After dropping two games to Bishop Donahue the previous week, Paden City broke out of the mini-slump with an exciting win over Beallsville last Wednesday.
The Lady Blue Devils appeared to have momentum in their favor with a 3-0 lead in the in the third, but Paden City batted around the order with six runs in the bottom of the frame to take the lead.
Not to be outdone, Beallsville came back with two runs in the fourth and three in the fifth to put the pressure back on the ‘Cats.
A run by the Wildcats in the fifth brought them closer and set up an exciting finish. In the bottom of the seventh Paden City would put on baserunners and advance two of them all the way around with a walk-off hit as Sydney Frye scoring the winning run.
Kim Davis recorded the win coming on in relief for LeeAnn Butcher who had three strikeouts. Davis finished with seven. She also kept her team in the game from the plate with a double and single with three RBIs.
Offensively the Lady ‘Cats were led by Alli Bertozzi with two triples and three RBIs. Vicki Yurisko added three hits with a double and an RBI, while Butcher singled and tallied two RBIs.
Butcher would get her win the very next day with an impressive two-hit shutout over rival Hundred on Thursday.
The Wildcats scored seven in the opening frame, followed by two in the second and sixth in the fourth for a 15-0 blowout. Softball games can end after the third inning if a team is up by at least 15 runs.
Davis again had a strong offensive showing with a double, two singles and three RBIs. Yurisko added two hits including a double with three RBIs. Amber Palmer singled twice and garnered an RBI.
On Saturday, the Lady ‘Cats traveled to Parkersburg for a doubleheader with the Crusaderettes. The two teams would split the bill in two exciting and high-scoring affairs.
In the 14 total innings played for both games, there were only five times a team didn’t score during their at bat.
In the opener, Paden City raced out to 10-1 lead after two and a half innings. The Crusaderettes then made their charge with five runs in the bottom of the third and cut the lead to two with two runs in the fourth.
After a complete scoreless inning in the fifth, the only one of the day, Paden City added two more in the sixth, but the Crusaderettes responded with a run in the bottom of the frame.
The seventh inning saw Paden City score three much-needed runs as Parkersburg Catholic put on their rally caps scoring four runs but falling just short of tying the game as the ‘Cats won 15-13.
In the second game, Paden City scored in every inning but the sixth. Normally this would almost guarantee a win, but the Crusaderettes had other plans as they scored in every single inning.
Not only did they score in every inning, but they scored at least two runs in every inning except the third en route to a 16-15 win.
Paden City actually saw itself up by a commanding seven runs after three, but then the host’s defense somewhat started working and limited the Wildcats to one run in three of the last four innings.
In that time, Parkersburg Catholic scored five runs in the fourth, and two in each of the last three innings to win walking off 16-15.
Yurisko went 3-5 in this game with three runs scored with an RBI. Palmer batted 2-4 with two runs scored, followed by Kline who also went 2-4 with two runs scored and Butler who went 2-4 with a run and an RBI.
Davis came on in relief in the seventh, but gave up the save. She was an out away as she struck out the first two batters.
On Monday, Paden City engaged in another doubleheader, this time with rival Valley at home.
The first game proved to be a major-league style thriller, going nine innings and a walk-off finish. Unfortunately for Paden City, Valley served as the home team for the first game.
Paden City was down 2-0 after three, but scored two in the top of the seventh to go into extra innings. Valley couldn’t capitalize in the seventh or eighth, but plated a runner in the ninth for the 3-2 win.
Ally Midcap picked up the win with 13 strikeouts while Davis finished strong with 18 in the tough-luck loss.
She would make up for it in the nightcap with 16 strikeouts and earning the win after Paden City scored three runs after two innings of play.
The defense were nearly perfect all game, not allowing a run until the top of the seventh. Even so, they were solid enough to take home the 4-1 win.
Ashley Efaw singled and drove in two runs while Frye also singled and notched one RBI.
In the first game, Bertozzi added two doubles and a single, Courtney Conaway added a double and a single, Palmer added two singles and an RBI, and Yurisko hit a single and batted in one.
This week they will look to improve their record with River today, Williamstown tomorrow, and a doubleheader with Shadyside on Saturday. All games are currently scheduled to be played in Paden City.