Northeast Bradford's Souto nearly perfect in Panther win over South Williamsport.
By: The Review | Towanda Daily Review | May 31, 2013 | Photo courtesy The Review
2013 NTL and District 4 News
WILLIAMSPORT - Northeast Bradford's Chelsie Souto was nearly perfect Thursday.
The Junior came a seventh inning hit away from throwing a perfect game in Northeast Bradford's 3-0 win over South Williamsport in District IV, Class A softball semi-final.
Through six innings the Mountaineers had no runners but with two outs in the seventh, South's Sarah March bunted a single to break up the perfect game.
"She really pitched one of her best games," Northeast Bradford coach Gary Hennip remarked. "She has been extremely good all year. She was really dominating."
Souto had eight strikeouts in the game.
Coming in Hennip knew South was a tough team.
"We had seen South Williamsport play Wellsboro," he explained. "We knew it would be a challenge. I thought the kids came through very well today."
On the offensive end the Panthers had no problem getting hits as they belted out six of their own. MaKaylah Holbert led the charge, going 2-for-3 with a 2-RBI while Maddy Johnson was 1-for-3 with a triple, run scored and RBI.
Souto, Laudermilch and Williams had the Panther's other three hits in the game.
"It was nice to see the bottom of our line-up hit the ball well," Hennip said. "It was kind of a team effort to get the win."
After two scoreless innings the Panthers struck in the bottom of the third as Julia Williams hit a one out single. That's when Maddy Johnson belted her triple scoring Williams.
Holbert then brought in Maddy Johnson with a single to make it 2-0 Panthers.
It was almost 3-0 as an error off the bat of Calla Johnson looked to score Holbert but she was caught at home for the second out of the inning.
Northeast scored again in the fifth inning as Angelia Laudermilich led off with a single then reached second on an error.
With two outs Holbert brought in Laudermilch to make it 3-0.
Anna Steer took the loss for South, going six innings to allow six hits, three runs, one walk and three strikeouts.
Northeast will face Bloomsburg, a 4-1 winner over Muncy, in the championship game today at 4:30 p.m. back at Elm Park.
"Hopefully we get a good night's sleep," Hennip said about playing back to back days. "Bloomsburg's a good team and we'll have to be ready to play. We will be."
