Lady Wolverines Finish Section Play Strong on Senior Night

Gary Rozanski’s softball team played the last game of the regular season on Tuesday against Riverside. The Lady Wolverines went out with a bang, defeating the Lady Panthers 8-0.

The home game was also senior night, which had to be arranged at the last moment due to weather cancellations. The team’s three seniors, Lauren Stiles, Summer Maine and RaeAnna Orock, were honored.

In the first three innings, Riverside’s offense consistently manage to load bases with hits by Ashley Boehm, Makenzie McElwain and Morgan Bailey. However, pitcher Skyla Greco was able to shut down Riverside before they could secure runs, with an added double-play by second baseman Zoe Kalantzis.

After that, Ellwood carried the momentum in mid-game with two RBIs each from Mallory Swogger and Megan Siegfried. Siegfried and Lauren Stiles also had two runs. By the sixth inning, Ellwood secured an 8-0 lead.

“We were able to get the timely-clutch hit with runners on,” Rozanski said. “Riverside is a well coached team and always competitive and ready to play. We were able to work out of a few jams early.”

The last two innings saw neither side score, ending the regular season play for both teams. With 11 strikeouts, Skyla Greco’s pitching dominated the day,

“The Team’s first goal was to have the chance to qualify for playoffs,” Rozanski said. “We were able to do that. We were looking to improve each day and get better each game. The girls have prepared, practiced and played hard. The team has done everything we have asked of them. As a staff we ask them to get better at something each day of practice and give us their best effort.”

Ellwood finished the regular season 12-2 overall and 10-2 in the section. The two losses were both to Mohawk, the section champions. Ellwood took second in the section. The playoff season schedule will be announced by the WPIAL shortly.

“We feel we can compete with anyone,” Rozanski said. “Going into playoffs, we’re taking it one game at a time putting a nice run together and hopefully making it to the finals. It becomes a one game season. Going out and giving our best effort – taking the game(s) one pitch, inning and game at a time. As a team we look at the playoffs as a new season. Everyone is competitive, and we need to go out play our game and not beat ourselves.”