Lady Wolverines Defeat Neshannock for Third Time in First Round of Playoffs

Defeating a team three times is no easy feat, and the Ellwood City softball team had to do just that in the first round of playoffs.

“It is always tough to play a team three times in one season, especially a team like Neshannock with the success they have had in the past,” head coach Gary Rozanski said.

The Lady Lancers best chance at having a win over Ellwood was early season when they fell short in an 11-8 game. After that, the Lady Wolverines edged Neshannock 13-3. On Wednesday, in a playoff game at Seneca Valley, the undefeated Lady Wolverines won 11-4.

Although their success is a team effort, individual players rise up in each game. Junior Camille Maine spearheaded the hitting with five RBIs from three hits. Sophomore Reagan Mittler hit her second home run and had four RBIs from two hits.

Rozanski credited season-long improvement in hitting for the team’s offensive punch. “We are making good pitch selection and hitting the ball hard,” Rozanski said. “We look and want to put the ball in play and make the other team play defense.”

On the mound, Skyla Greco fanned seven batters although Neshannock earned four hits. Solid fielding ensured the Lady Lancers never exceeded four runs.

Ellwood will play an unfamiliar team on Monday: Burgettstown, which defeated South Allegheny yesterday. The game will be at 2 p.m. at West Allegheny.

“We look at the playoffs as a new season,” Rozanski said. “Everyone is good and anything can happen it is the playoffs. We are taking it one game at a time like we have all year the most important game is the next game.”