McCartney’s home runs special, lead C-M to victory
Canon-McMillan center fielder Abby McCartney gives head coach Michele Moeller a high five after slugging a two-run homer in the first inning against Peters Township Monday afternoon.
Peters Township shortstop Lindsay McKnight attempts to control the throw from the catcher while Canon-McMillan’s Mandi Stranges slides safely into second base.
McMURRAY – The 240-foot trip around the bases felt like an eternity for Abby McCartney. After launching a fastball over the fence in center field at Elm Grove Field in the top of the first inning, Canon-McMillan’s senior center fielder looked up at the sky and could not fight back the tears.
McCartney woke up Monday morning to the news that her grandfather, Ray Posel, passed away at 3 a.m. He was 80 years old.
Posel had been battling with illness for months, but he rarely missed his granddaughter’s high school softball games. When it came time to decide whether to go to school Monday and play in the Big Macs’ Section 4-AAAA game against Peters Township, McCartney did not think twice.
What unfolded was a performance her and her family will never forget.
McCartney went 2-for-3 with two two-run homers and four RBI to lift Canon-McMillan to a 9-1 victory over the rival Indians.
“I wanted to come out and do my best,” McCartney said with a tear rolling down her right cheek. “As soon as I felt the ball go off my bat, I knew that one was for him. I was thrilled because I knew he was watching me.
“I wanted to play for him. It was emotional, especially when I hit it.”
Prior to first pitch against Peters Township, Canon-McMillan head coach Michele Moeller pulled McCartney aside to calm her nerves. It would be natural for McCartney to try to hit the cover off the softball.
The Robert Morris recruit did not destroy a ball, but her two-run shot with two outs in the first gave the Big Macs (4-0, 6-0) a 2-0 lead and she added another two-run home run in the fifth inning to give C-M a six-run advantage.
“I feel so bad for her. It’s bitter sweet for today,” Moeller said. “What a competitor. Two home runs on a day like this. She was crying going around the bases and everyone else was tearing up. You have chills about it.”
Peters Township (1-2, 4-3) was optimistic after getting two outs to start the top of the first inning, but sophomore Brittney Crawford, who went 3-for-4 with two runs, hit a double into the gap in right-center field.
Two pitches later, Crawford lifted a ball onto the grass-covered hill beyond the center-field fence. Crawford led off the fifth inning with a single to left field and on a 1-2 count, and McCartney lifted another pitch for a home run.
Junior shortstop Linda Rush, who went 3-for-4 with 4 RBI, added a two-out solo home run in the top of the seventh. Though Peters Township was held to one run, it recorded six hits. Missed opportunities, including seven runners left on base, and allowing home runs frustrated head coach Bob Bowers
“We gave up big hits. McCartney is tough. It’s tough to defend her,” Bowers said. “She can put it out. Any pitch, she seems to be able to hit. She’s a very nice player. At key points in the game, we gave up three home runs. It’s tough to defend a home run.”
Rush gave the Big Macs a 4-0 lead in the second inning with a two-run double to left field and Peters Township did not break the shutout until the bottom of the fifth when it already trailed by six runs.
Indians freshman third baseman Haley Cecere’s sacrifice bunt scored sophomore Olivia Castellone, who led off the inning with a triple, but Canon-McMillan senior pitcher Tara Fowler closed the game out, allowing two hits in the final two innings.
Fowler recorded a varsity career-high eight strikeouts and walked just one batter.
The victory was the Big Macs’ sixth straight against Peters Township, which has not defeated C-M since April 17, 2012 and secures first place in the section for the Big Macs, who face Mt. Lebanon today.
It all began with McCartney’s swing in the first inning, which sent Canon-McMillan’s players to their feet.
“I can’t imagine … to have her head in a game like that today and she did,” Moeller said. “She was patient on every at-bat and didn’t try to overdo it. She sees her grandfather a lot and he’s been a big part of the success she’s had. It’s a sad day. She honored him in a way I can’t even put into words.”