Penn-Trafford softball defeats Norwin in rare home game

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, April 27, 2018 | 9:30 PM

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Because of the broken-record narrative of weather-related postponements and almost daily schedule changes, Penn-Trafford was on its campus softball field for just the third time all season Friday.

“We think the gym is our home turf,” coach Denny Little said. “Our athletic director (Kerry Hetrick) calls us the ‘Road Warriors' because we play so many games away.”

The Warriors' choppy schedule includes one practice, one full game and now, a partial game — but it still counts as a win.

Their nonsection matchup with rival Norwin was called in the top of the sixth inning after a lightning delay and a quick-passing storm in Harrison City.

Penn-Trafford overcame an early deficit to win for the eighth time in its last nine games, 7-3 over the Knights.

It was the second win over a Class 6A team in six days for Penn-Trafford (12-2), ranked No. 5 in Class 5A. The Warriors stunned Hempfield Sunday, 7-3, to end the Spartans' 46-game winning streak.

Penn-Trafford has played 14 games, a high number compared to some teams, but has played games at the municipal fields across the street and has had to call road games, home games.

Norwin (4-3), which had a three-game win streak halted, started quickly with a three-run first inning. Sophomore Victoria Shimko had an RBI single and two more runs scored on fielder's choices, the third after Penn-Trafford senior second baseman Maura Mallon made a terrific diving grab and tagged second before nearly turning a double play.

The Warriors, known for their potent offense, quickly responded. After three straight walks, freshman Brooke Cleland delivered a two-run single and a third run came home on an overthrow to tie it 3-3.

In the second, senior Emma Nedley ripped a two-run double off the fence in center to give the Warriors a 5-3 advantage.

“Going in we knew we had to take very selective at-bats, get runners on and then bump them over and score them in,” said Nedley, a Penn recruit. “We didn't really get behind in the count today, so that was good for us.”

Norwin put two runners on in the fourth, but reliever Sam Shickel got Megan Miller to ground out to third.

Freshman Emma Little led off the fourth with a pinch-hit triple for Penn-Trafford. Nedley's groundout brought home the seventh run.

“We made some defensive mistakes and our pitcher was a little down on herself early,” coach Little said. “Our pitching coach told me he told her, ‘Hey, we've got the bats, they'll get you back in this game.' ”

And they did, even though the Warriors only managed five hits. They still are averaging 10.5 runs.

“The key is the bats,” coach Little said. “We're maintaining the excellence in our hitting. It's amazing after 13 games how similar we are; even on the same run pace. We're a little down on home runs … but these girls just have a great approach. They make every at-bat matter.”

Thunder and lightning is just the latest weather disruption in a spring season that had seen rain, snow, high winds and cold temperatures — a wretched compound that has many coaches calling this the most troublesome WPIAL spring season they've ever seen.

After a lightning strike flashed behind a darkening sky, players were called off the field with Norwin batting with two outs and a runner on in the sixth. Norwin coach Brian Mesich said he would have liked to have seen the teams complete the game.

Junior Alexandra Brentzel and Shimko each went 2 for 3 for the Knights, who also used two pitchers.

Little said he planned to use two pitchers Friday to give Hilty some rest and Shickel some work.

Shickel came on in the fourth and earned the win.

“Every game, we're never scared if the other teams puts a little runs on the board because we know our bats are there,” said Mallon, an Alderson Broaddus recruit. “We have done it countless times. We did that in the Kiski Area game; they ended up coming back, and we in the last inning scored to win the game.”

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

Tags: Norwin, Penn-Trafford