Silver linings are there for Lady Bulldogs
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By Michael Boytim
mboytim@altoonamirror.com
CLAYSBURG -- Claysburg-Kimmel came up on the short side of a 5-2 setback to Everett on Tuesday at the Claysburg Community Park but there were still plenty of positives.
The Lady Bulldogs played in their own hometown for the first time in nine games this season, they got some good experience against a top-tier team in the Lady Warriors and their younger hitters made adjustments throughout the game.
Everett's Olivia Hillegas struck out six batters, all in the first three innings, and allowed just three hits. But Claysburg-Kimmel caught up to her as the game went on, though Everett's excellent defense kept the Lady Bulldogs in check.
"We started hitting her late in the game," C-K coach Mike Barbarini said. "Especially our younger girls at the bottom of the order, they all put the ball in play after striking out the first time through the order. We just hit right at somebody. That's just the way it goes. If we find gaps there, we could score some more runs. If the wind doesn't blow (McKenna) Black's ball back in on what could have been a home run, that's another run there. They made all the plays, and they executed."
Claysburg-Kimmel took the lead in the bottom of the first inning when Jenna Helsel walked and scored on a check-swing RBI single by Nevaeh Walter following a wild pitch.
Everett responded in the top of the second with the help of an error and a Jade Colledge sacrifice fly.
"It was huge for the girls to come together and fight back," Everett coach Jackie Levy said. "We battled through some first-inning jitters."
One inning later, Makenna Richards hit a two-run single after Kirstin Feathers hit a grounder to shortstop to load the bases that should have went for an out at third but no outs were recorded on a fielder's choice.
Richards followed that with a two-run home run in the fifth inning that made it 5-1.
"She's a senior, and she's always been one that comes through for us," Levy said. "She's done it for years. That's something that is an expectation of her from me. Not that I was surprised that she did that, but I was thrilled for her. She's a hard worker and came through for us today."
Claysburg-Kimmel got one run closer on a Payton Hinish RBI single in the bottom of the inning.
The Lady Bulldogs brought the tying run to the plate in the sixth, but McKenzi Black hit a sharp grounder that turned into a double play.
"(Losses to Everett and Penns Valley) are definitely going to help us get better," Barbarini said. "We have been blowing people out the first five or six games we had. There wasn't a lot of competition. But with Penns Valley and this game, the younger girls are gaining experience with pressure and experience with how to play the game. It puts pressure on them to not make mistakes and put the ball in play."
Everett, which won a game over Fannett-Metal by a score of 42-0 earlier this season, improved to 7-0.
"This group, something they have is a love for each other," Levy said. "That's very important to our success. They cheer for each other, love each other and that bond is what makes this group special."
It has been a long start of the season for Claysburg-Kimmel with eight straight road games before Tuesday.
"With our league, it's McConnellsburg, Southern Fulton, Southern Huntingdon twice, Forbes Road -- all those trips are long trips," Barbarini said. "Back-to-back long trips take a toll on you. It was nice to play at home and not have a big long bus ride after the game."
The Lady Bulldogs should be playing at their high school before long.
"They just started to put the turf down today," Barbarini said. "They said within three days they will have the turf done, so hopefully by next week, we should be on the new field."
EVERETT (5): Price cf 402, Brady rf 210, Wood ph 100, O. Hillegas p 311, Feathers c 412, Richards dp 413, Weicht lf 000, M. Hillegas ss 410, Mobus 1b 300, Colledge 2b 200, Bowser 3b 300. Totals -- 30-5-8.
CLAYSBURG-KIMMEL (2): Cavender p 300, J. Helsel cf 211, Walter c 301, Francona 2b 200, McKenzi Black 3b 300, McKenna Black lf 300, Swindell ss 210, C. Helsel rf 300, Hinish 1b 201, A. Musselman pr 000. Totals -- 23-2-3.
SCORE BY INNINGS
Everett 012 020 0--5 8 0
Claysburg-Kimmel 100 010 0--2 3 2
HR--Richards. RBI--Richards 4, Colledge, Walter, Hinish. WP--O. Hillegas. LP--Cavender. SO--O. Hillegas 6, Cavender 9. BB--O. Hillegas 3, Cavender 2.
Records: Everett (7-0); Claysburg-Kimmel (7-2).