Bazzoli homers, pitches shutout to lead J-M to WPIAL semis
Carmichaels advances with gutty performance from Barnyak
CANONSBURG – Emilee Bazzoli felt like her team needed a jolt.
Through the first two innings, Jefferson-Morgan couldn’t get much going against Sewickley Academy starter Charlotte Andrews, but Bazzoli changed that by belting a solo homer over the center-field fence.
It was almost like a lid-lifter, because the fifth-seeded Rockets were locked in at the plate from there and Bazzoli pitched a two-hit shutout in a 5-0 victory over No. 4 Sewickley Academy in the WPIAL Class A softball quarterfinals Monday afternoon at North Strabane Intermediate school.
“I just felt like we needed something, but I didn’t expect to do that,” Bazzoli said of her home run.
In the second game of the doubleheader No. 2 Carmichaels beat No. 7 Serra Catholic, 9-0.
The Rockets (10-6) advanced to play No. 1 Union Wednesday in the semifinals.
“This is a huge win for us,” Jefferson-Morgan coach Rich Rush said. “I’ve been telling these girls all year that they are this good. Hopefully this game lets it sink in for them.”
Bazzoli’s homer came in the top of the third inning and it was the first hit of the game for the Rockets.
Jefferson-Morgan ended up with eight hits in the game and added a run in each the fourth and fifth innings.
Ava Wood hit a flare over second base to reach first and later scored on a two-single up the middle by No. 9 hitter Kallyn Novak.
“That was a huge hit,” Rush said. When you go up two runs it makes a huge difference. It took a lot of pressure off (Bazzoli).”
The top of the fifth had some interesting moments.
Bazzoli led off with a walk, was replaced on the bases by courtesy runner Brelynn Wood.
Wood stole second, but was ruled to have left first base early and was called out.
Brooklynne Snyder walked, moved to second on a wild pitch and after Ashylnn Snyder singled, she tried ran home, but was thrown out by Sewickley Academy center fielder Marie Bigi.
Then, finally, the Rockets got their third run with Addie Larkin ripped an RBI double to right center.
That was more than enough run support for Bazzoli, a sophomore, who finished the game with 10 strikeouts. She feasted on the bottom of the lineup. Seven of her strikeouts were from the six through nine batters in the Panthers’ batting order.
Through the first five innings she allowed only one ball to leave the infield, a single by Marie Bigi in the third.
“My screwball was working really well for me today and so was my fastball,” Bazzoli said.
As impressive as Bazzoli was, Rush feels she has even more in her.
“It was good, but definitely not her best,” Rush said. “It wasn’t like the two Carmichaels games. She was lights out in those two games. Of course, I expect a lot. I have a really high celing for her, but today she delivered. She did well.”
Jefferson-Morgan put the game away with two runs in the top of the seventh, receiving help from a pair of errors by the Panthers. With Brooklynn Snyder on first, Ashlynn Snyder singled and the ball was misplayed in right field. Brooklynn came all the way around to score and Ashlynn ended up on first base. Ashlynn came into score on a wild pitch.
Bazzoli finished off the game by getting two groundouts and a strikeout. Then it was off to Buffalo Wild Wings for a team celebration.
Carmichaels, 9-0
In the fourth inning Bailey Barnyak tried to barehand a throw back from her catcher, Katie Waggett, that went a little wide and ended up stoving her finger.
If you didn’t see the bandage on her hand afterwards you would’ve never known.
Even with a swollen finger, Barnyak pitched a three-hit shutout to lead the Mikes to a 9-0 win over Serra Catholic.
“The ball was to the side of me, and me being so dumb, tried to catch it and stubbed my finger,” Barnyak said. “For the last three innings I was throwing a little slower, but it ended up working out for me so I’m thankful. I knew the team behind me had my back and they did a great job in the field.”
Barnyak finished with a dozen strikeouts and only two Serra Catholic batters made it to second base.
The Mikes scored two in the first. Waggett led off with a triple and scored on an RBI groundout by Ashton Batis. Carys McConnell walked and later scored on a single by Barynak.
“It’s the first game and you haven’t played in a week, so you worry a little bit, but I think getting a couple runs early in the game helped a lot,” Mikes coach Dave Briggs said.
Carmichaels (15-0) broke the game open in the fourth by scoring four unearned runs. Serra Catholic (13-6) made three errors in the inning. Duski Staggers had an RBI bunt single for the only hit in the inning. She later scored on a passed ball.
“I thought we did a good job with the small ball game and putting pressure on them,” Briggs said. “Going in I thought that would be the key was putting pressure on their defense and maybe taking advantage of some mistakes.”
The Mikes added three more in the sixth. Batis and Carys McConnell had an RBI single each in the inning.
Carmichaels will play West Greene in the semifinals. Three of the four Class A finalists are from Greene County.
“It’s good for the County,” Briggs said. “We knew our section was tough. I thought it might happen, but you never know.”