West Allegheny Softball Defends WPIAL Title
The West Allegheny softball team were use to shortened games this season due to the run-rule. There was no run rule in Thursday’s Class 5A WPIAL Championship Game, but the Indians still came out victorious with a 4-2 decision against Thomas Jefferson at Seton Hill University.
Thomas Jefferson jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first on an RBI single by Lillian Rockwell. Haleigh Karcher scored on the play after hitting a double and advancing to third on a wild pitch.
West Allegheny senior pitcher Ashley Seamon settled down in the frame, and showed why she is one of the top pitchers in the area the rest of the game, only allowing one more run.
Seamon also helped herself out at the plate, scoring the first run of the game for West Allegheny in the second inning to tie the game. After a walk, she came around to score from first on a hit to the fence by freshman Megan Pollinger. Pollinger came around to score on an RBI single by senior Amy Nolte for the 2-1 lead.
The Indians tacked on their final two more runs in the third inning. Sophomore Britney Wilson delivered an RBI base hit to score senior Taylor Cummings. Seamon followed that up with an RBI base knock of her own to complete the scoring for West Allegheny.
Thomas Jefferson continued to threaten in the late innings but Seamon found a way out of each jam, stranding eight runners in the game.
West Allegheny improves to 20-1 and will enter the PIAA playoffs on Monday at Latrobe against District 3 fifth-place team, Donegal.
Thomas Jefferson drops to 13-6 and will look to bounce back in the PIAA tournament on Monday.