Hometown Softball Broadcast Recap for Elizabeth Forward on 4/24/14

By: Bruce Markey
Friday, April 25, 2014 | 5:02 PM

The Elizabeth Forward Warriors suffered a 6-4 defeat in a Class AAA Section 3 matchup versus the Yough Cougars Thursday afternoon at William Penn Field thanks to a late 7th inning 3 run rally put together by the Cougars.

In the circle, Elizabeth Forward went with their recently touted starter, freshman, Lauren Matthews. She went the distance and have up 10 hits and three runs through six innings of work. However, the Cougars, trailing 4-3, had a big offensive 7th inning, helped in part by a Warrior defensive miscue and tacked on three more runs on three hits. Matthews finished the day giving up 13 hits and six runs, however, not all runs were earned. Matthews was opposed by Yough’s Macy Mularski who also pitched all seven innings and allowed four runs on 10 hits, striking out eight in the process.

The Warriors fell down early after giving up two quick runs in the top of the 1st but re-took the lead in their half of the inning with three runs on three hits. Courtney Hrabosky doubled and tagged up from third on a sacrifice fly from Ashley Baker. Also, Jen Keefer had a bunt base hit and Jessica Cartia reached on an error. Both came around to score on a two RBI double by Lexi Ribarchak. The Warriors would tack on another run in the bottom of the third when Cartia singled (pinch ran for by Jessica Guffey) and three batters later, Kelsey Benedek’s RBI single scored the tie breaking run, which gave the Warriors the 4-3 advantage at the time. Yough scored twice in the first when Ashlyn Hoak had a two RBI single scoring Allie Harvey and Cassidy Pearce. In the third they added another run as Harvey had an RBI infield single, which plated Hailey Warrick.

In the 7th inning, the Yough Cougars had the top of their order at bat and their hitters came through in a big way. After a quick first out, Harvey doubled and then scored on Cassidy Pearce’s RBI single, tying the game at 4. The rally was kept alive when Warrior shortstop Caitlyn Arico committed an error on a hard hit ball by Yough’s Ashlyn Hoak. With runners now on first and second, Alona Sleith’s RBI single scored both of them and the Cougars re-took the lead at 6-4. Pitcher, Macy Mularski gave up 1 base hit in the bottom of the seventh but finished strong otherwise and solidified the win for the Cougars.

The loss puts Elizabeth Forward at 6-3 in section and 9-5 overall. They remain in second place in section. Also the win helps Yough move back to a .500 record in section at 5-5. The Warriors are now in the stretch run of the season and have just three section games remaining.

Tags: Elizabeth Forward