Hometown Softball Broadcast Recap for Elizabeth Forward on 4/21/14

By: Bruce Markey
Wednesday, April 23, 2014 | 1:45 PM

Elizabeth Forward (9-3, 6-1) started early, rattling off seven first inning runs and running away with an 11-1 mercy rule win over South Park (2-8, 1-7) on Monday afternoon at William Penn Elementary Field.

The Warriors had their first six batters reach base and score, as the Eagles would be plagued by a pair of errors in the opening frame. Freshman Jessica Cartia’s two-RBI double, Freshman Maddie Porter’s two-RBI single and McKenna Kern’s RBI single highlighted the bottom half of the first, which saw eleven Elizabeth Forward batters.

Elizabeth Forward would extend their lead to 10-0 in the third inning, as Junior Caitlyn Arico would rip a three-RBI double to left field. The Warriors would tack on a run in the 4th inning. Senior Lexi Ruzzi would drive in South Park’s only run in the top of the 5th inning, scoring Cassie Scanlon.

But the Eagles were unable to plate another run, giving EF the 11-1 win. The Warriors received strong efforts throughout their lineup, as all but one starter would reach base and score a run.

In the circle, Lauren Mathews pitched all five innings for Elizabeth Forward, striking out four batters and allowing the one run on six hits. Mathews, a Freshman call-up, took over for injured starter Sarah Turek in an 11-9 win over South Park last week. Since filling in for Turek, who is experiencing back spasms, Mathews is 4-0.

South Park was led by Ruzzi, who went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI to her credit. But Ruzzi struggled in the circle, allowing ten runs on nine hits in two-plus innings of work.

Elizabeth Forward will next meet West Mifflin on Wednesday evening with a shot at first place in AAA Section 3 on the line.

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