Carmichaels falls to Union in WPIAL final for 3rd time in 4 years
CALIFORNIA – Compared to last year, things started much better for Carmichaels in their quest for a WPIAL championship.
The Mikes scored two runs in the first three innings, but coach Dave Briggs knew they probably needed more.
His instincts were correct.
A couple of mistakes opened the door for Union’s high-powered offense and once again the Scotties forced the Mikes to accept silver.
Irelyn Fisher hit a two-run home run in a four-run fourth inning and top-seeded Union beat No. 2 Carmichaels, 6-2, in the WPIAL Class A softball championship Thursday afternoon at PennWest California’s Lilley Field.
Union defeated Carmichaels for the second year in a row in the WPIAL final and the third time in four years. The Mikes were denied their first title since 1998 and the Scotties won their fourth title in five years.
“It’s tough, because you put your heart and soul into it,” Briggs said. “At the beginning of the year, because we lost so many girls to graduation, we were wondering if we could get here. Once the season started progressing and some of the younger girls started stepping up … I thought this was the year we could win it.”
It looked like early on that could be the case.
Ke’Lani Chun led off the game with a single and later scored when Carys McConnell roped a single into left field.
Chun again got things started in the third with a leadoff single, stole second and came into score on an RBI groundout by Kenlee Machesky to make it 2-0.
After being shut out in the championship game last year, getting two early runs was nice for the Mikes, but they also left four runners on base. The Mikes had the bases loaded with no one out in the third, but managed only the one run on the groundout by Machesky. Union starter Korryne Shannon got a popout and a strikeout to strand runners at second and third.
“At the time we liked the start and felt good, especially with Bailey (Barnyak) in the circle,” Briggs said. “We wanted more, but it was a nice start.”
A couple of tough sequences hurt the Mikes in the third and fourth innings. The first came when Union’s Olivia Williams was caught in a rundown between second and third, but managed to escape and slide in safely at third.
Two pitches later, Williams scored on a passed ball to cut Carmichaels’ lead to 2-1.
Olivia Benedict singled up the middle later in the frame to bring in another run and tie it at 2-2.
Then Union had its big inning in the fourth.
Part of it was because of three errors on one play by Carmichaels.
Shannon led off with a single and Emily Ross attempted to sacrifice her to second, but the throw from third base was high. Miara Holmes, who was running for Shannon, made it to third. The throw to home plate went off Machesky’s mitt and rolled away. Holmes broke for the plate, Barnyak ran in front of her on the baseline and tagged her after getting a throw from Machesky, but Barynak was called for obstruction, and Holmes was safe to make it 3-2.
Ross scored on an RBI single by Williams, and with two outs Fisher hit her home run to make it 6-2.
The pitch prior to Fisher’s homer was a close call that went against Carmichaels, which would’ve been strike three and ended the inning. Instead the at-bat continued and Fisher crushed the offering over the centerfield fence.
“Really there were two things there: The play with the errors and I really thought we had (Fisher) rung up,” Briggs said. “We don’t get the strike call and the next pitch she hits it out. That’s softball though.”
Once Union got the lead Shannon shut the door. She finished with nine strikeouts and allowed one base runner, a single by Machesky, over the final three innings. She set down seven straight to end the game and finish off another Scotties win over the Mikes.
“I don’t know. … Maybe we just have their number,” Union coach Doug Fisher said about beating Carmichaels again. “They’re a great team and you’re nervous to play them, because Bailey is an outstanding pitcher. You just have to feed off mistakes and create havoc and that’s kind of what we did.”
Barynak, an IUP recruit, had 10 strikeouts and only three of Union’s runs were earned.
She gave up seven hits and six of those were in the third and fourth innings.
The Mikes were hoping this time would be different, but it added to their list of heartbreaks in recent years.
“Honestly in Bailey’s freshman year I thought we were the better team, but the illegal pitch calls (on Barnyak) were out of control,” Briggs said. “I really thought that game was taken away from us. Last year (Union pitcher) Mia Preuhs was dominant, but the game still could’ve gone either way. This year we had our chances. I enjoy playing Union, because it’s a challenge. They’re a good offensive team and this year I think they have a little more speed, which allows them to put a little more pressure on teams than in the past.”
Union and Carmichaels will continue into the PIAA tournament on Monday. The Mikes play District 5 champ Berlin Brothersvalley, the same team they met in the first round of states last year.