Fannett-Metal softball falls to Southern Huntingdon
FANNETT-METAL - The first pitch of Thursday's softball game between Fannett-Metal and Southern Huntingdon was thrown in chilly 43-degree weather, with wind whipping in the outfield.
While it was not a picture-perfect day for a softball game, it was a good afternoon for a team to build a lead. But unfortunately for Fannett-Metal, Southern Huntingdon got the first edge and carried it to a 6-0 Sideling Hill League/Inter-County Conference win.
"I think the cold slightly affects if you get the early lead or not," Fannett-Metal coach Michael DeAngelo. "The team that gets the early lead they stay into it, and stay moving around. If you fall behind early it's definitely a huge factor against you."
The Lady Tigers (3-4, 1-4 SHL,1-3 ICC) fell to a deficit in the opening innings, and couldn't overcome the Rockets' resiliency in the infield.
Entering the bottom of the fourth down by three runs, the Tigers loaded the bases thanks to two well-played singles and a sacrifice bunt, but quick fielding by the Rockets tug Morgan Ritchey out at home. Fannett-Metal stranded three runners on base with no runs scored in the inning, despite sending more than 2/3 of the batting order to the plate.
"We talked about being more aggressive at the plate, and none of the girls struck out there so that's a positive," DeAngelo said. "We hit the ball well, but they just made the plays defensively."
In the circle, Brooke Harris threw a complete game, striking out six, and allowed just four hits. Harris also walked five batters.
"She's our workhorse right now," DeAngelo said.
"The were fouling it off a lot, making me pitch too many pitches," said Harris, who estimated she threw more than 100 pitches. "The cold definitely wore my arm out. Your fingers get numb so it's hard to grip the ball, but I kept moving."
Morgan Ritchey went 2-for-4 including a double.
For Southern Huntingdon, Julisa Zirobile threw a complete-game shutout and struck out four.