Baldwin softball outlasts Bethel Park for Section 1-6A victory

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, April 13, 2018 | 10:57 PM

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With both teams playing their third game in as many days, Baldwin and Bethel Park met in a Section 1-6A softball game Friday at Baldwin High School.

The Black Hawks came in riding high off a 21-0 white-washing of Brashear on Thursday, but it was the homestanding Highlanders who jumped out to a quick start Friday en route to a 4-2 win.

Following a scoreless top of the first tossed by Baldwin pitcher Maddie Tagg, Baldwin got back-to-back singles and a walk to start the home half and loaded the bases with nobody out.

Tagg was hit by a pitch, which plated a run, before catcher Carly Santillo singled home another run to make it 2-0. Two batters later, right fielder Bella Rossa plated another run on a fielder's choice as Baldwin led 3-0 after one inning.

The Highlanders (3-2, 3-1) added a run on an RBI-single by senior shortstop Taylor Dadig, a George Mason commit, in the second. Dadig had three hits on the day.

“I definitely think we did a really good job of putting the ball in play situationally,” Dadig said. “Our defense was really strong, too. We have a lot of confidence in Addie too, even when things aren't going really well.”

Bethel Park (3-1, 2-1) had no answer offensively for Tagg, who scattered nine hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Tagg gave up a two-run double to Reagan Milliken with two outs in the seventh.

That's when things got interesting, and confusing for all in attendance. Baldwin coach Vince Sortino met with the game's umpires, saying Heather Scott's lineup card had Milliken listed as No. 15, the same number as leadoff hitter Lauren Caye. A warning was issued for the “correctable error,” as explained by home-plate umpire Dave Fauth. Two pitches later, Lainey Drahusz flew out to left, ending the game.

Sortino was pleased with Tagg's performance in the circle, as well as with his team.

“As long as we keep progressing and keep eliminating the errors, we'll be in good shape,” Sortino said. “My expectations were higher before my daughter's team (Peters Township) beat us the other day, but our girls rebounded well. They rebounded to beat two good teams, and good teams will do that.”

Baldwin plays Mt. Lebanon on Tuesday, while Bethel Park will play a fourth game in as many days Saturday, a 2 p.m. home matchup with Mt. Lebanon.

Kyle Dawson is a TribLive High School Sports Network broadcaster.

Tags: Baldwin, Bethel Park