Hometown Softball Broadcast Recap For South Side on 3/28/14

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, March 29, 2014 | 9:19 PM

On a blustery day in Hookstown, the first Hometown Softball game of the 2014 season was played between the South Side Rams, and the Shenago Wildcats. Despite pre game rain, a damp field and gusting winds the visiting Wildcats win in come from behind fashion 5-3.

These two teams are rivals in section 4 single A, and are expected to fight for the league title. As expected it was a battle decided by good pitching, solid defense, and timely hitting. Unfortunately for the Rams it was Shenango who did all three to perfection to pull out the victory.

South Side would score first getting two runs in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs Sarah Androlia drew a walk, then Connor McGaffic hit a line drive home run to make it 2-0. McGaffic’s HR was thru a gusting wind. The ball never was more than 12-15 feet off the ground and looked at first to have been right at the center fielder, but into the wind the ball turned and zoomed over the fence. An incredibly hard hit ball that stunned everyone in attendance. McGaffic’s hitting ability has already landed her a scholarship offer from the University of Pittsburgh. She accepted right before her Freshman year.

On the mound McGaffic got out of trouble in the first and second innings but in the third with two outs her defense gave way. Three straight infield errors then a two out, 2 RBI single by Hana Murphy tied the game at 2-2. On the other side of the mound Shenango’s Macy Rubin settled after the first inning, only giving up 2 hits thru the next 2 innings.

Leading off the 5th inning the Wildcats drew two straight walks, then after a strikeout,  another 2 RBI single by Murphy gave Shenango a 4-2 lead. They would add to it with a single and two more Rams errors in the top of the 6th to make it 5-2. It was the 6th error on South Side in the game.

South Side attempted a come back in the bottom of the 7th. With one out Capri Sullinger  had a single, then stole 2nd base. With two out Androlia singled her in. McGaffic reached on an error, and with the winning run at the plate the rally fell short as Hunter Hand flew out to end the game.

The Rams who had 3 Freshman, and 2 Sophomores starting in the field were hurt by the errors, and Shenango’s great hitting with girls on base. Wildcat pitcher Macy Rubin gave up 7 hits, on only 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, and 3 runs, but pitched out of trouble in four innings stranding 6 Ram runners on base.

McGaffic took the loss going 4 and 1/3 inning, walking three, giving up 5 hits, 4 runs, and striking out 7. Hunter Hand a Freshman SS/P came on in relief and pitched well going 2 and 2/3 innings, giving up 2 hits and one run.

Due to the weather neither team has been outside much and it was the first game of the year for the Wildcats.They  improve to 1-0 in the section and overall. For the Rams who had scored 37 runs in their first two section wins, they fall to 2-1 in the section and overall.