Hometown Softball Recap for Elizabeth Forward Warriors – 04/19/2015

By: Bruce Markey
Sunday, April 19, 2015 | 10:22 AM

Keyed by a strong pitching performance and opportunistic offense, the host Elizabeth Forward Lady Warriors scored a 4-0 victory against McKeesport at William Penn Field on Saturday.

Sophomore Lauren Mathews, in her first varsity start at pitcher, tossed a complete-game shutout, limiting the Lady Tigers to just six hits. Mathews, who struck out five, showed poise by holding McKeesport scoreless despite allowing a pair of baserunners in both the second and fifth innings.

Offensively, Elizabeth Forward took an early lead by capitalizing on the control issues of Tigers’ hurler Sam Arthrell. Three Warriors walked in the opening frame, including Lauren Cain, who drew a free pass with the bases loaded to score Lexi Ribarchak.

Arthrell escaped further damage in the inning, though, and both teams were held scoreless until Elizabeth Forward broke through for three runs in the fifth. Maddie Porter led off the stanza with a bunt single, and Ribarchak and Jess Cortia both reached on defensive miscues by Arthrell. With three runners on, Ashley Hoak cleared the bases with a double to right field.

Mathews made that lead stand, as she retired six of the final seven Tigers’ batters to seal the crucial section triumph.

The victory improves the Warriors to 4-3 in Class AAA Section 3, and 7-4 overall. Conversely, McKeesport falls to 1-6 in section play, 2-7 overall.

In addition to Hoak’s contributions at the plate, Ribarchak scored a pair of runs for Elizabeth Forward, and Cain and Caitlyn Arico both reached base safely twice.

For the Tigers, Chelsea McClung doubled twice, and No. 9 hitter Rebekah Reist doubled and singled. Despite taking the loss, Arthrell went the distance in the circle, holding the Warriors to just five hits.

Both squads returns to action on Tuesday, when the Warriors travel to Ringgold, while the Tigers host Trinity.

Tags: Elizabeth Forward