Frazier Shuts Out South Side for 2-A Softball Title

By: Bruce Markey
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 | 10:19 PM

A handful of freshman pitchers have led their teams to WPIAL softball titles in recent memory. Frazier hurler Logan Hartman added her name to that list on Wednesday at Lilley Field at California University of Pennsylvania, as she tossed a three-hit shutout. In the process, the No. 2 Commodores defeated top-seeded South Side Beaver 2-0 to win the WPIAL 2A Championship, the first in program history.

The Commodores (18-2) wasted little time in gaining the upper hand, as they scored a run in the bottom of the first. Hartman drew a leadoff walk against South Side’s McKenna Smith, and then advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice by Megan Celaschi. After a groundout moved Hartman to third, Emi Curcio delivered an RBI single to right field.

In the second, the Rams (17-3) threatened when Hunter Hand and Smith opened the frame with consecutive singles. Hartman induced a fly out and a strike out, though, and then Hand was gunned down trying to steal third to end the inning.

While Hartman retired the side in order in both the third and fourth stanzas, the Commodores extended their lead in the bottom of the third. Kayla Matway drew a two-out walk, and moved to second when Curcio was hit by a pitch. Matway later scored on an error, putting the Commodores ahead 2-0.

South Side, which was also looking for its first title, had its best scoring opportunity in the sixth inning. Regan Hozak collected a one-out double, and she moved to third with two-outs when Sydney Payne reached on an error. Payne swiped second to put two Rams into scoring position, but Hartman induced a groundout by cleanup hitter Hunter Hand to end the inning.

Hartman then completed the shutout by retiring the side in order in the seventh. Hartman, the daughter of Frazier’s first-year coach Don Hartman, did not issue a walk, and struck out seven.

‘I don’t really feel any pressure, I just wanted to go out and have fun,’ the freshman noted. ‘My defense worked so hard – I pitch to my defense.’

Juliann Johnson added a pair of hits for the Commodores, while Curcio reached base twice, including a hit by pitch.

Smith was the tough-luck loser for South Side, as she allowed just six hits and one earned run. She also recorded 10 strikeouts, but issued three walks and hit a batter.

Both teams advance to the PIAA postseason, which begins on Monday, June 5.

South Side        0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0  =  0 – 3 – 1
Frazier              1 – 0 – 1 – 0 – 0 – 0 – X  =  2 – 6 – 2