Indians come up short against Bethel Park
MCMURRAY – With a new coach comes new expectations and, often times, a different approach.
Peters Township is going through the process of learning that under new head coach Jay Krull and the Indians experienced a game Tuesday to open Section 4-AAAA play that could pay dividends later in the season. At least that is Krull’s hope.
The Indians hit and pitched well enough to win their section opener Tuesday, but four errors led to four unearned runs that Peters Township couldn’t overcome in a 9-8 loss to the Black Hawks.
“Hitting was not our issue,” said Krull, who took over for Bob Bowers after several successful seasons at Seton-La Salle. “I was fine with our hitting and pitching. If we can hit like that all year, I would be satisfied. It was just all the mistakes in the field.”
The Indians (0-1, 1-1) scored four runs in the first inning, including getting a solo homer from leadoff hitter Jill Yeates, to grab a 4-1 lead.
But just as quickly, Bethel Park (1-0, 4-0) tied it in the top of the second, plating three runs to make it 4-4.
The score was tied at 5-5 entering the fourth when the Black Hawks got three singles and took advantage of a two-run error to take a 9-5 lead.
“Any time you can capitalize on mistakes it is crucial,” said Bethel Park head coach Heather Scott. “No team is perfect. Today, we took advantage of it and it paid off.”
Bethel Park would not score again off Indians starter Kylie Hartbauer, who recorded four strikeouts, but the damage was done.
Black Hawks’ starter Abby Joyce scattered six hits after the first inning and struck out 10, though she did walk seven batters.
“Once she settled down, she was able to gain some confidence,” said Scott. “There were definitely some nerves, especially with it being our first section game of the year. After that first inning, she was able to settle down because the girls behind her had confidence.”
Peters Township continued to press, scoring a run in the bottom of the fifth and then plating two more runs in the seventh. The game ended with the tying run on second base.
Yeates had two doubles as well as her leadoff homer, scoring twice, while Alex Bondi also homered for the Indians.
“You play games in the fall and condition all winter long,” said Krull. “Until you start playing games in the spring, there is nothing you can do and you are going to have those growing pains. Nine people are involved. Everyone is relying on one another. You just hope that you keep getting better every game.”