Sports

Peters Softball Beats the Odds

The Peters Township girls' softball team is a section 'co-champ' for the first time in 21 years.

By Jessica Berardino

With a current record of 15-4, the Lady Indians' softball team has matched its history by being the second team to make it to the WPIAL playoff semi-finals. 

The team is a section "co-champ" for the first time in 21 years.

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On Thursday, the Indians defeated Seneca Valley High School in the Class AAAA quarterfinals game at Woodland Hills.

Senior pitcher Tara Konopka held a no-hitter until the sixth inning with six strikeouts. Konopka gave up one run, two hits and one walk for the game.

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A tough defense stood strong behind her to help earn the victory. 

A strong left side blocked many key hits from leaving the infield. The Raiders saw double trouble with juniors Hannah Berardino (at third base) and Abby Cunningham (at short stop).

Both teams faced ground balls that bounced unlike what they are used to on the turf infield. Through the first half of the game, both teams held strong in the field.

From the dug out to Coach Heidi at third base, the Indians were rowdy and ready to play softball. The teams were excited to have made it to the game and were ready to give their best efforts.

Cunningham began the second inning with a lead-off single giving sophomore Tori Weida the job to sacrifice bunt her to second base. Next, senior Courtney Golem singled to the right and scored Cunningham to give Peters the lead.

Again, in the fourth inning Cunningham led with a single. Senior Kellie Lewis then sacrifice bunted her over to second base. Golem again comes through with a single to score Cunningham.

Both girls end the game with two hits a piece—both contributing to the runs scored for the Indians. Senior Katie O’Laughlin contributed with one hit and a strong defense in left field.

The Raiders came alive in the bottom of the seventh as lead-off Kelsey Mislan hits a single with one out, followed by a walk for Alexa Sisko. Mislan was scored by pitcher Emily Watson on a single to make the score 2-1.

Runners advanced to second and third on an illegal action by Konopka while pitching, putting the Raiders in winning position.

Konopka rose to the challenge and struck out the next two batters to win the game. Watson took the loss giving up two runs, five hits, three walks and three strikeouts.

The Lady Indians play Hempfield on Wednesday, May 23. Time and place is TBA. 

Editor's Note: Guest columnist Jessica Berardino is the team's assistant coach.


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