Halleck’s pair of 2-run doubles helps Franklin Regional softball rally past Gateway

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, April 25, 2018 | 8:30 PM

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Mallory Halleck had to leave quickly after Wednesday's softball game.

“I have to get my nails done,” the Franklin Regional junior first baseman said in a hurried tone. “I have an appointment.”

Halleck bolted for the nail salon moments after helping the fourth-ranked Panthers claw their way back from a five-run deficit.

Franklin Regional rallied late to upend visiting Gateway, 9-8, to stay unbeaten in Section 1-5A.

With consecutive two-run doubles in the fifth and sixth innings, Halleck led the Panthers (10-2, 8-0) back from an 8-3 deficit on a chilly, cloud-covered afternoon dampened by intermittent, light rain.

A tarp covered the field overnight to allow the game to be played. The Panthers held steady when their home diamond became soaked during play and the deteriorating conditions made for sloppy defense.

“It was tough to focus,” Halleck said. “The mist kept coming into our eyes.”

The Panthers, chasing their second section title in three years and a fourth consecutive WPIAL playoff trip, have won nine of their last 10 games. They didn't have many hits, but the ones they managed were big.

Freshman catcher Emma Kennedy went 3 for 4 with a two-run home run for Gateway (4-4, 4-4), which outhit the Panthers, 10-4, but committed six errors, five in the fifth when the Panthers scored four times to get within 8-7.

It appeared an eighth run scored, but Franklin Regional was called for interference, negating the score and keeping it a one-run game.

After two quick outs, Gateway put a runner on in the sixth, but Panthers' pitcher Angalee Beall struck out Kennedy to close the inning.

In the home half of the frame, the Panthers put runners on first and second with two outs, another error helping their cause.

Halleck then ripped a two-run double to score Olivia Yurinko and Kaitlyn Carr to make it 9-8.

Sam Hunter singled with two down in the seventh, but Beall induced a pop-out to seal the win.

“We're happy to be able to claw our way back like that,” FR coach Jim Armstrong said. “We thought we tied it there (in the fifth), but it didn't happen. We had to shrug it off and keep playing.”

Franklin Regional led 3-2 in the first after a two-run single by Beall. Kennedy's smash over the left-field fence put the Gators ahead 4-3.

A pair of errors and a wild pitch by the Panthers allowed Gateway to extend the advantage to 6-3.

“Our outfield was a little suspect today,” Armstrong said. “No ESPN web gems.”

After a double by Danielle Taylor, Kayla Gratton launched a deep double to the fence in left to score two and make it 8-3.

As the Gators' early onslaught receded, Halleck said the Panthers leaned on past experience to rally.

“We have kind of describe ourselves as the comeback kids,” she said. “We always seem to find a way.”

Three consecutive errors compounded a bad inning for the Gators in the fifth. Halleck's first double got the Panthers within two. A wild pitch and another miscue allowed Courtney Chamberlain to score, and it was suddenly 8-7.

“We're used to it by now after (so many comebacks) last year,” Armstrong said. “The girls are very resilient.”

Maura Ryan and Taylor each had two hits, and Sydney Hunter added an RBI double for Gateway.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Gateway