Brodzina’s bat lifts Lady Eagles to victory over Tigers
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By Michael Boytim
mboytim@altoonamirror.com
HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Hollidaysburg moved its high school softball game to a turf field and primetime start under the lights Thursday, and though the Lady Tigers came up short, 7-5, to Tyrone, the setting was appropriate as both Blair County programs are on the rise and worthy of a spotlight after some down years.
"We have a great group of girls who were really young last year," Hollidaysburg coach Heather Perry said. "Most of our starters were freshmen and sophomores who have played their whole lives together. As they get older and get more experience, it's exciting to see where they can take this program."
Unfortunately for the Lady Tigers, the player with the most experience in Thursday's game was playing shortstop and batting third for Tyrone.
Lady Eagles senior Maci Brodzina hit a two-run home run in the third inning and then laced a tie-breaking RBI double in the top of the sixth to give her team their second win over Hollidaysburg this season.
"Maci is a great softball player who has aspirations to play at the next level, and she'll do well there," Tyrone coach Doug Myers said. "We're sure happy she's on our team. She's our team leader. The kids rally around her, and she sets the tone for how we play."
Brodzina has helped Tyrone begin the season 5-2 and has had several big performances.
"I am beyond happy with how we've played this season," Brodzina said. "Especially after last season where we were a work in progress. This season it's finally paying off, and who knows how far we can take it."
Hollidaysburg responded to Brodzina's home run in the third inning with four runs in the bottom of the fourth with the help of some Tyrone miscues after the Lady Tigers decided to lay down a series of bunts.
"You never know what will happen when you try something new," Perry said. "I had some of my power hitters up, and I was really pleased that they were able to use the small game to our advantage."
Maria Malone's two-run double off the Shmonster wall in left was the highlight of the inning that ended with Hollidaysburg ahead, 5-2.
Tyrone tied the game in the top of the fifth inning. The Lady Eagles loaded the bases before Olivia Vincent recorded one of her 15 strikeouts for Hollidaysburg. Vincent got two strikes against Sam Shaw, but Shaw managed to put the ball in play with a grounder to first. Rachel Musselman threw home to try and get the force out and avoid a run scoring, but her throw hit Shaw running to first and two runs scored.
"When you're playing night games, the ball can get a little wet and sometimes crazy things happen like that," Perry said. "It was unfortunate."
Macy Lingenfelter followed the play with an RBI single to tie the game.
"(Shaw) got hit in the stomach, but she's feeling better," Myers said. "It was huge (putting the ball in play), because we weren't hitting the ball too well. Their pitcher did a great job shutting us down, so putting a ball in play there was huge. Fortunately, we had a little bit of luck. You need that to win games sometimes."
Beth Pearson, who reached base four times and had three hits for Tyrone, started the go-ahead rally for the Lady Eagles in the sixth with a one-out single and scored on Brodzina's double. Brodzina went to third on the throw home and scored on a sacrifice fly by Maecy Tuskovich.
"Our coaching staff took over five years ago, and we played for a district title three years ago," Myers said. "The COVID-19 year really hurt us bad, because we lost our pitcher and catcher, but I think we're pretty respectable now. I think a lot of teams know that they have to play us hard and well. We're trying to build a tradition here at Tyrone. I have a great coaching staff. They pay close attention to the details. The kids are believing, and we're excited about where we're headed."
Vincent finished with three hits for Hollidaysburg, and Sydney Shay added an RBI double in the bottom of the first inning.
"Our goal is to keep our batting going and keep hitting strong all the way through our lineup," Perry said. "We made some mental mistakes tonight, so we have some things to clean up before we get to the end of the season."
TYRONE (7): T. Tuskovich cf 400, Pearson c 333, M. Brodzina ss 333, M. Tuskovich 1b 210, Beeman lf 200, Sa. Shaw rf 400, Lingenfelter 3b 302, Rockwell 2b 400, Su. Shaw p 300. Totals -- 28-7-8.
HOLLIDAYSBURG (5): Alexy rf 401, Dawson ss 300, Vincent p 413, Shay c 411, Musselman 1b 311, Steiner 2b 310, Malone 3b 311, Peacock dh 301, Knab lf 300, Neeley cf 000. Totals -- 30-5-8.
SCORE BY INNINGS
Tyrone 002 032 0--7 8 3
Hollidaysburg 100 400 0--5 8 1
E--Lingenfelter, Su. Shaw, M. Tuskovich, Dawson. 2B--M. Brodzina, Shay, Malone, Vincent. HR--M. Brodzina. RBI--M. Brodzina 3, M. Tuskovich, Sa. Shaw, Lingenfelter, Malone 2, Shay. WP--Su. Shaw. LP--Vincent. SO--Su. Shaw 11, Vincent 15. BB--Su. Shaw 1, Vincent 7.
Records: Tyrone (5-2); Hollidaysburg (3-4).