MEADVILLE —
It’s nothing new for the Neshannock High softball team.
The Lady Lancers have been doing it all year. No matter the situation, no matter the pressure, no matter the player. Neshannock finds a way to win — plain and simple.
The Lady Lancers discovered one more way yesterday at Allegheny College’s Robertson Field as they rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 4-3 walk-off win over Fairview in the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class AA playoffs. Neshannock advances to the semifinals Monday against the winner of today’s matchup between Central or Deer Lakes at a site and time to be determined.
The Lady Lancers are at this point because of Madison Shaffer. The freshman singled in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. The Lady Lancers (22-1) entered the inning trailing, 3-2. After a strikeout to start the frame, Alexandra Fischer walked, Katie Burrelli singled and an error on Fairview’s first baseman loaded the bases for Rayanna Furst. Down to her last strike, Furst singled up the middle to tie the game, and Shaffer laced a single to right field with the bases loaded to win it.
“What was funny was (Rayanna and Madison) didn’t do anything the first few times up,” Neshannock coach Tracy Kimmel said. “But when the game was on the line, they came through. It’s funny how this game works. You can be struggling all day and come up and be the hero. You can’t think about what happened before.
“You’re going to fail most of the time (in softball), but when you have a chance to come through, there’s no greater feeling.”
The Lady Lancers were coming off their first PIAA playoff victory in school history, a 5-3 extra-inning win over Philipsburg-Osceola, the returning state champs. They didn’t get any breaks with Fairview (22-1), which was 43-1 over the last two years entering the game. But the same formula that led Neshannock to this point helped them advance: strong pitching and solid defense.
The Lady Lancers took advantage of three errors by the Lady Tigers and received another great performance from senior pitcher Amanda Furst. She allowed three runs — two earned — over seven innings and gave up seven hits and one walk while striking out five. She yielded just two singles after the third inning.
“We’ve played good defense and pitched well all year,” Kimmel said. “Those are two big keys. Defense and pitching will give you an opportunity to stay in the game, and if you can eke out a couple runs, you’ve got a good shot.”
They Lady Lancers’ next shot comes in the state semifinals, and getting there didn’t come easy.
They trailed, 3-0, after three innings but scored two unearned runs in the fourth on a passed ball and a ground out. The winning run in the seventh also was unearned because of an error on a bunted ball to first base. That opened the door for Neshannock, which enters Monday’s game playing as well as it has all year, Kimmel said.
“(Our confidence) can’t be any higher than what it is right now,” Kimmel said. “We don’t think we’re going to be beat. We believe in everyone who walks up to the plate. It’s one to nine, and we believe anyone who walks up to that plate is going to get the job done.
Burrelli led Neshannock with two hits and a run scored. Amanda Furst was 1 for 3, and Marissa DeMatteo went 1 for 3 and scored run. The Lady Lancers could have a rematch with Deer Lakes, which beat Neshannock, 2-0, in the WPIAL semifinals.
(Email: j_simon@ncnewsonline.com).
Neshannock
Related Photos
-
Neshannock team members from left, Amanda Furst, Jamie Graziani, Rachel Iorio and Katelyn Burrelli (10), celebrate after winning the game in the seventh inning against Fairview. Erica Galvin
Related Links
Discussion
PIAA Softball Playoffs: Neshannock girls rally for victory
- Neshannock
-
-
WPIAL Softball Playoffs: Neshannock rolls over Frazier
Fall behind against the Neshannock High softball team and you can pretty much forget about a comeback. Yesterday, Frazier felt pretty good about scoring a run in the top of the first against the Lady Lancers. However, Neshannock responded with four of its own in the bottom of the frame and stormed to a 9-1 triumph in a WPIAL Class A semifinal at North Allegheny High School.
-
WPIAL Softball Playoffs: Neshannock pounds Serra Catholic
The Neshannock High softball team is picking up where it left off last postseason. The defending PIAA Class AA champions began their pursuit of a WPIAL Class A crown and a state playoff return with a resounding statement, posting a 14-0 decision over Serra Catholic in the WPIAL quarterfinals at North Hills High School.
-
Playing sports for Neshannock? You’ll have to pay
The Neshannock school district has no tax hike in its proposed budget, but is extending its pay-to-play program. The proposed $17 million 2013-14 budget will be posted on the district’s website. The budget holds the millage at the current rate of 14.3758.
-
Neshannock Schools: Father concerned after alleged assault
The father of a student allegedly assaulted on field trip asked Neshannock school officials to ensure kids’ safety. “I’m not here to discuss what happened,” he said last night, “only to say that I’m concerned for all students.
-
‘What Killed Arafat?’: Neshannock grad nominated for prestigious award for investigation of late Palestinian leader
Clayton Swisher once helped keep Yasser Arafat alive.Little could Swisher have known that, ultimately, he would find himself investigating the Palestinian leader’s death.
-
No tax hike expected for Neshannock schools
The Neshannock school board does not anticipate a tax increase for next year. A tentative 2013-14 budget — featuring $17,005,051 in expenses and $16,585,744 in revenues — was introduced this week.
-
Law Day essay winners announced
Matthew Barnes and Hannah Branscome are the winners of the Lawrence County Law Day Essay Contest. Each received a $1,500 scholarship check.
-
Police probe alleged assault of student
Township police are investigating a possible assault of a Neshannock High School student. Lt. John Rand, officer in charge, said a female student allegedly was assaulted by other students on an overnight bus trip to New York City last weekend.
-
Neshannock board, teachers agree on pact
Neshannock Township teachers have a new contract. At a special meeting this week, school board members voted 9-0 to accept a four-year bargaining agreement.
-
Meal maker: Neshannock teen fighting childhood hunger
On stage, Gianna Cherry is a Mini Star. In the community, she’s a Souper Star. A member of the New Castle Playhouse Mini Stars for the past two years, Gianna recently received a $500 grant from the Sodexo Foundation and Youth Service America, which recognizes young people working to fight childhood hunger.
- More Neshannock Headlines
-
