Scarpa shuts down Freeport as Greensburg Salem erupts for Section 1-4A softball win

By: Michael Love
Monday, April 7, 2025 | 9:30 PM

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Alle Scarpa struck out the first 10 Freeport batters she faced in Monday’s Section 1-4A matchup at Freeport Community Park.

The 11th batter, Yellowjackets third baseman Addyson Caruso, doubled to left. She stole third to put the tying run closer to home plate with one out in the fourth.

But Scarpa struck out sisters Leah and Lauren Clark to end that threat.

The Greensburg Salem junior ace was dealing. She faced just two batters over the minimum and struck out a career-best 20. The Golden Lions broke out for five runs in the sixth to all but seal what turned out to be a 6-0 victory.

“I liked how relaxed I was even when we were up just one through most of the game,” said Scarpa, who helped Greensburg Salem improve to 6-1 overall, up its section record to 2-1 and bounce back from its only loss so far, a 3-1 setback to section foe Highlands last Wednesday.

“I knew I had my defense behind me if I needed them to make a play. I went into the game knowing what spins and what pitches were working for me, and I just kept nailing them.

“I was really proud of our hitters adjusting to their pitcher. It made me feel more at ease going out there in the sixth and seventh. We had a cushion there, but we still wanted to finish the game off strong. And we did that.”

Scarpa went high and too tight against Freeport second baseman Kelly Schmidt with one out in the bottom of the fifth.

Schmidt gave the Yellowjackets their second and final runner of the game, and she stole second.

But Scarpa struck out shortstop Taelyn Toy and right fielder Arianna Devlin to squash that Freeport rally attempt.

The only non-strikeout for the Yellowjackets against Scarpa came in the sixth when Caruso popped out to Golden Lions shortstop Patty Redinger to end the frame.

“We approached her like we approach everybody,” said Freeport coach Ron DeJidas, who saw his team drop its fifth straight game and third in the section after a 3-0 start.

“We went up there to compete every at-bat. You can tell she’s put a lot of work into it. We had never played them before and hadn’t seen her before today with just moving into the section. She is such a solid pitcher.”

Greensburg Salem’s offense was stymied through five innings against Leah Clark as the Freeport sophomore had allowed just two hits while striking out eight.

One of the hits was a solo home run from Scarpa with two outs in the top of the first.

It looked like that run might be all that would cross the plate for either team. But the Greensburg Salem offense erupted in the sixth.

Redinger led off with a bunt single, and center fielder Marley Perrone was hit by a pitch before Scarpa drew a walk to load the bases.

Catcher Hannah Olbeter popped up to the infield, but an error allowed Redinger to score and keep the bases loaded.

Sophomore first baseman Cate Waugaman then recorded one of the biggest hits of her young career as she smacked a Clark offering over the left-field fence for a grand slam.

That hit chased Clark from the game. She finished with five earned runs and eight strikeouts while giving up just four hits and one walk.

“We were a little out of rhythm offensively in our last game against Highlands,” Wright said.

“We just couldn’t get it going, and I think we panicked a little bit. There was no panic today. Even with what was happening early on, we stuck with it. Alle did what she does through five until we were able to come alive.

“Cate just missed one in the fourth when she flew out to center. But that (grand slam), she hit that square, and there was no doubt about it as soon as it left her bat. She has had really good at-bats for us all year with clean-up RBIs.”

Ali Smith came on for Freeport and got the final six outs while giving up one hit and one walk.

Samantha Reusser had Greensburg Salem’s fourth hit as she singled with two outs in the fifth. But she was stranded at first when Clark struck out Paige Cole to end the inning.

The Golden Lions hope to keep it going Wednesday with a home section matchup against Derry (4-1, 2-0).

“We’re looking forward to that game,” Wright said. “It is always a battle against them.”

Freeport hopes to get back in the win column with section games against Indiana at home Thursday and at Derry on Friday.

“All we are doing is trying to get better each game,” DeJidas said.

“If we do that, those losses are going to turn into wins. That is our focus. We’re going to be busy later this week. Hopefully the rain stays away.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Freeport, Greensburg Salem