NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – The Allegheny softball team started play at the 2024 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Tournament against Waynesburg, falling to the Yellow Jackets in a close 5-4 battle.
The Yellow Jackets got out to a quick lead, scoring four runs in the top of the first and one more in the second.
The Gators threatened in the bottom of the second. Singles by
Sophia Godzak (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon) and
Hadley Horensky (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Seton LaSalle Catholic) followed by a walk to
Cameron Long (Midlothian, Va./Midlothian) loaded the bases with two outs. However, Waynesburg got out of the jam to keep the Gators off the board.
Allegheny made up some runs in the third.
Olivia Devries (Kent, Ohio/Field) came through with a solo home run with one out. That home run, her 11th of the season, ties the Allegheny record for the most in a single season.
Sofia Genareo (Lakewood, N.Y./Southwestern Central) and Godzak reached on errors. Horensky loaded the bases with a single to left field.
Audrey Blarr (Clarence, N.Y./Clarence) delivered a single to left field, and an error on the play allowed Godzak to also score, cutting the lead to 5-3.
The sixth saw another Gator run.
Halle Book (Wexford, Pa./North Catholic) had an infield single and moved up on a sacrifice bunt. After a Long single,
Samantha Phillips (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon) hit an RBI single to cut the lead to 5-4. The Gators loaded the bases, but the Yellow Jackets got out without allowing another run.
The Gators got two runners on in the bottom of the seventh, but Waynesburg once again got out of the inning to seal the win.
Inside the Box
- Horensky had three hits while Book had two.
- Devries hit a solo home run, her 11th of the season.
- Blarr drove in two runs while Phillips drove in one.
- Belardinelli allowed just three earned runs.
News and Notes
- Allegheny is now 4-7 all-time against Waynesburg.
- Devries hit her 11th home run of the season. That tied Sadie Stuart, who had 11 in 2013, for the most in a single season as a Gator.
Up Next
The Gators will face Bethany in an elimination game Friday (May 3) at 11 am.