Bethel Park treats all teams with equal respect
Whether the last game against Mt. Lebanon, a 10-1 triumph, or the impending battle with league-leading Canon-McMillan at 3:45 p.m. April 23 at Bethel Park, the Lady Hawks take every softball game seriously this spring.
“We take it one game at a time,” said BP manager Heather Scott. “We don’t take any team lightly. We play at the same intensity and with the same team effort.”
An effort like the one against Lebo and then some will be required to turn the tables on the Lady Macs, who have been to the WPIAL Quad-A championship game the past three years, winning twice. Canon-McMillan was undefeated in Section 4 and 7-1 overall at the start of the week.
“It’s a big game,” emphasized Scott.
The Lady Hawks have had a few recently. In running its record to 6-1 in the section and 7-3 overall, BP also toppled Baldwin, 2-1, in addition to Lebo. The Highlanders are 5-1 in the league and 6-1 overall.
Against the Highlanders, Rachel Albert and Rachel Hankin smacked home runs. “It was a big win,” said Scott of the triumph.
Big at the plate for the Hawks have been Albert and Haley Reid. Against Lebo, Reid tagged a triple to drive in BP’s first run. She singled a home a run in the third and drilled a two-run double to highlight the sixth stanza. Albert reached base on two walks and an error and scored three runs against Lebo.
Carolyn Cook, who scored four times, Taylor Andres and Jess Cook also tagged singles while Shelby Reid smacked a double in the win over Lebo.
Andres earned the win on the mound. The senior struck out five and scattered seven hits, including a double by Sarah Rogan. Jessica Gordon tagged two hits for Lebo while Catie Rogan, Megan O’Brokta, Danielle Malizio and Alyssa Smith also had safeties.
The Hawks are on their way to improving upon last year’s 11-5 showing, which featured an appearance in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL playoffs, because of teamwork, says Scott.
“I am pleased with how the team is playing,” she said. “They are playing as a team. When someone is down, somebody else picks us up.”
Other action
Peters Township blanked Carrick in back-to-back games, 20-0 and 19-0, to edge over .500 for the season with a 6-5 record.
In the 20-run affair, Carly Konopka tossed a one-hitter. She struck out six and walked one. At the plate, she doubled, drove in four and scored three runs. Kelly Perich and Lindsay McKnight tagged triples. Perich drove in three and McKnight two runs. Olivia Castellone tripled among her three hits and drove in five runs.
In the 19-run contest, Perich won on the mound, allowing no hits and fanning eight. At the plate, she had three hits, including a double and a triple. McKnight also had three hits, including a double and a home run. Castellone also joined the three-hit parade.
Coach wins 300th
Tricia Alderson registered her 300th career victory as a manager when Chartiers-Houston dispatched West Greene, 12-5. In 19 seasons, which included early years at Mt. Lebanon, Alderson has compiled a 300-96 mark.
“I have been surrounded by great assistant coaches and players over these last 19 years,” Alderson said. “All of the credit goes to them. I couldn’t have done anything without them. I just wish my dad was still here for it because I know he would be very proud,” she added.
Alderson is proud of her players as they followed up the feat with a 10-0 victory against Washington. The Buccaneers are 10-1 overall and 5-0 in Section 1-A. They had key clashes scheduled at home against Fort Cherry and Mapletown as well as away at Jefferson-Morgan this week.