Chartiers Valley falls in softball semifinals
Chartiers Valley players attempt to drum up some enthusiasm during the late innings of their loss to North Hills in the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals.
Chartiers Valley players react as the final out is recorded in their 3-0 loss to North Hills in the WPIAL playoffs.
Jena Boneysteele delivers a fastball to the plate during Chartiers Valley's 3-0 loss to North Hills in a WPIAL Class 5A softball semifinal game.
Chartiers Valley third baseman Maura Gualazzi prepares to tag out North Hills base runner Kayleigh Bissoff during a WPIAL Class 5A softball semifinal game.
For the 42nd year in a row, there will be no WPIAL softball championship for Chartiers Valley.
The possibility of a state title, however, remains.
The Colts begin that quest June 7 when the PIAA tournament commences.
“We go back to work and prepare for states,” CV manager Chris Lloyd said.
North Hills forced the Colts back to the drawing board when the Indians defeated CV 3-0 in a WPIAL semifinal game played May 25 at Montour High School.
Sophia Roncone hurled the Indians to victory and to their first appearance in a WPIAL title tilt in 21 years. Roncone struck out eight, walked two and scattered four hits in recording the shutout.
Roncone had plenty of support.
North Hills first baseman Maria Chutko delivered a two-run double in the bottom of the first inning.
Indians catcher Abby Scheller picked off a runner at first base to end the game.
Melanie Taylor, who singled and scored a run, however, made the defensive play of the game for North Hills. The shortstop fielded CV’s Maura Gualazzi’s sharp grounder stepped on second base then threw to first base to complete a double play in the top of the fifth.
The fielding gem proved even more critical because CV’s Carly Mangan and Madison Crump followed up with a walk and single before Roncone retired the side with a strikeout.
Of the double play, Lloyd said, “it was crushing” but the coaches kept the players up in the dugout.
“We talk about needing to get runners on base. It starts with that. Unfortunately, we hit it at the wrong place at the wrong time. Up the middle and right at her,” he said. “But it wasn’t the key. We battled the entire time until the last out.”
Jenna Boneysteele kept the Colts with her bat and arm. On the mound, she struck out eight and scattered three hits. At the plate, she singled twice.
“Jenna has dominated all year, stepped up,” Lloyd said. “She’s a leader. On the mound, she comes ready to work and pitch every game.”
Boneysteele is a senior on a club that features three sophomores and freshmen in the infield. She was 10-4 during the regular season with 123 strikeouts. Boneysteele will pitch at Waynesburg University next season.