SPORTS: Things Get Rowdy at Jud Field

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Lady Cats pitcher Ann Colligan winds up while third base player Abby Copenhaver waits on defense in the background.

by Nathan Lasher

The Kittanning Varsity Softball Team battled back to win after Mars took a two-run lead in the first inning at Jud Field yesterday evening.

During the first inning of the game between Kittanning and Mars, Mars took an early lead scoring two runs in the top of the first inning against pitcher Ann Colligan. However, in the bottom of the first, first base player Brynn Fleeger got things started by drawing a walk, stealing second base, and then being driven home by Colligan.

Kittanning was able to tie the game in the bottom of the second inning when third base player Abby Copenhaver slid into home after a ball passed Mars catcher Vanessa Duffard.

Mars scored one run in the top of the fourth, but Kittanning was able to answer back. Catcher Rhonda Claypool smashed a double to the centerfield fence and was switched out for pinch runner Cassie Merryman who scored on a hit from Abby Copenhaver.

Things began to get a little rowdy in the top of the fifth when Mars switched pitchers. The relief pitcher for Mars was repeatedly called for throwing illegal pitches by the base umpire allowing Kittanning runners to advance. After both shortstop Carrie Merryman and Fleeger were able to score because of the “crow hopping” penalty, Mars took out the relief pitcher and put their starter back into the game. Both fans and coaches from Mars loudly voiced complaints to the umpires about the pitching calls.

Later, in the bottom of the fifth inning, Claypool hit a pop fly to the infield driving home Nellie Toy, and Copenhaver hit a groundball with the bases loaded to drive in second base player Mackenzie Pirhalla. This put Kittanning up 7-3.

The last run of the game came when another rip from Claypool’s hot bat drove Fleeger home in the bottom of the sixth bringing the game to 8-3.

More drama occurred in the top of the seventh inning. Kittanning brought in relief pitcher Kim Tarosky, and Mars was trying to see if they could make a late-game comeback. All of the excitement must have gotten to their coaching staff because after centerfielder Merkeia Pirhalla made a beautiful diving catch in shallow center field, Mars’s first base coach walked over to the base umpire and protested the call. After a warning for profanity, the coach persisted and was confined to the dugout for the rest of the game.

The Lady Cats were able to get three outs in the bottom of the seventh leaving a Mars runner stranded and the score at Kittanning - 8 Mars – 3.

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