Trinity batters West Allegheny in 20-3 rout
CALIFORNIA – Delaney Elling never saw it, which was a shame because home runs such as these rarely happen.
The power-hitting first baseman from Trinity launched a high fly to center field in the second inning. Mckenzie Johnsen, the centerfielder for West Allegheny, turned and appeared to be ready to make an over-the-shoulder catch impressive enough to make ESPN’s Top 10 Plays.
But the ball hit the top of Johnsen’s glove and bounced over the fence for a two-run home run for Elling.
That play was a harbinger of good things to come for Trinity, which scored nine runs in that inning and came away with a 20-3, five-inning rout of West Allegheny in the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals at California University’s Lilley Field on a sunny Tuesday afternoon.
The victory moved Trinity to 16-4 and sends the Hillers into Thursday’s semifinals against Yough at a site and time to be determined.
“I didn’t see it but my teammates told me about it,” said Elling. “I didn’t think it was out. It’s hard not to like something like that.”
Elling would hit another home run, this one coming in the third inning to give the Hillers a 10-0 lead. Only the paying public had a chance at this one as it easily cleared the fence in center field.
“We’ve been hitting the ball well,” said Trinity head coach Shawn Gray. “This a carryover from the last few games.”
The 20 runs were a season-high. Trinity scored 17 two times this season, both against Ringgold in 17-0 wins.
Elling went 4-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored. Every regular player in Trinity’s lineup had at least one hit and scored a run. Shortstop Olivia Gray also went 4-for-4 and drove in four runs. And right fielder Hali Justice had a two-run home run and drove in a season-high four runs.
“Hitting is contagious, absolutely,” said Justice. “Today I had a better feeling at the plate. I was just trying to hit the ball. We play better with the lead.”
Trinity scored nine runs in the second, one in the third, seven in the fourth and three in the fifth. In the second, Trinity had six hits and scored seven runs after two outs.
“No one expected this,” said West Allegheny head coach Mindy McFate. “This was probably our worst showing of the year. We just weren’t mentally prepared.”
The bottom part of the Hillers’ lineup – third baseman Shelby Clemens, centerfielder Emily Smith, left field Riley Riotto and catcher Kim Dunst – went a combined 9-for-14 with nine runs and five RBI.
“Hitting is infectious,” said Shawn Gray. “The girls feed off one another. The bottom of the lineup is coming through when we need them. That’s how we scored multiple runs. Instead of one or two, you score three or four.”
West Allegheny reached starter Paige Galentine for three runs in the fourth and nine hits over the five innings. Her counterpart, Marla Kirkpatrick, gave up 17 earned runs on 22 hits.
“We have to keep this hitting up,” said Elling. “We’ll have a better chance of winning if we do.”