Black Knights struggle at the plate in 4-0 loss to Bloomsburg.
By: Chris Manning | Towanda Daily Review | May 25, 2012 | Photo courtesy Chris Manning
2012 NTL and District 4 News
WYSOX - Towanda couldn't seem to connect at the plate in their 4-0 loss to Bloomsburg in District IV, Class AA softball action Thursday.
They only had three hits in the loss and threatened to score in just one inning.
"They had a tough time with their pitcher," Towanda coach Bryon Fuller said. "You've got to know how to adjust at the plate. If you don't know how to adjust then you're going to struggle at the plate and that's what we did today."
Not everybody struggled but it seemed like the Black Knight hitters couldn't find a gap.
"The balls that we did hit hard we hit right at them," Fuller said. "We only had one good scoring opportunity and we struck out twice. Our team is a much better hitting team then what we showed tonight."
The Panthers jumped out early as Brittany Karpinski singled to lead off the game. After being sacrificed over to second Leah Rehm knocked in her with a single to take a 1-0 lead.
After going down in order in the bottom half of the first the Black Knights got something going in the second. With one out Emily Gorman drew a walk, followed by Dallas Mosier hitting a single. Bloomsburg pitcher Alyssa Ziller continued to struggle with her control as she walked Raven Vargason to load the bases.
However Ziller got herself out of the jam by striking out the next to Black Knights to preserve the lead.
In the top half of the third the Panthers struck again.
Mallory Fay and Karpinski led off with back to back singles but Towanda looked to have things in hand as Michelle Smith hit into a double play.
With two outs Rehm and Vanessa Michael drew back to back walks to load the bases. Ziller then helped herself with a 2-RBI single to put the Panthers up 3-0. Emily Gorman caught Ziller's courtesy runner Megan Garman stealing to end the inning.
Michelle Aronson would get a two out hit in the bottom of the third but wouldn't make it past first.
In the top of the fourth the Panther's padded their lead as they once again loaded the bases. Fay then made it 4-0 with a single.
Towanda got out of the inning as Karpinski lined out to Wickwire while Michelle Smith hit into a 1-2-3 double play.
Neither team had much offense the rest of the game as the Black Knights didn't get a runner past first.
Aronson, Mosier and Gorman had the three Black Knight hits.
In the circle Alaina Wickwire struck out one while allowing 11 hits, four earned runs and two walks in the loss.
Rehm led Bloomsburg in hitting, going 2-for-2 with a double, two walks, an RBI and a run scored while Ziller and Fay both went 2-for-3. Karpinski was 2-for-4 with two runs.
Ziller struck out six in the loss while allowing three walks and three hits.
As they go into the off-season Fuller hopes to have several top players back next season.
"I hope they comeback," he said. "We can be a very good ball team next year if my seven starters comeback and play ball. I hope they do."
