SOFTBALL RECAPS: EC Varsity Improves to 4-0; Junior High Off To Fast Start

Ellwood City softball programs are off to great starts this spring, with the varsity squad improving to 4-0 while the junior high team collected a resounding victory to continue its great play.

Wolverines Varsity Defeats South Park, Record Now 4-0

Once again, the bats came out hot as the Lady Wolverines beat South Park last night 15-5 at Stiefel Park. The mercy rule put an end to this one after 5 innings.

Ellwood City got things rolling with some two out lightning in the first inning as Mollie Street doubled home Angie Nardone and then Julia Nardone followed with a double of her own to plate Julia Nardone.

The Wolverines made it 6-0 in the second inning with a four spot. Sophomore Ellie Kalantzis launched her first varsity home run as she deposited a 2-2 pitch over the wall in center field. Sara Schwarz walked and moved over to second on a groundout by Angie Nardone. Kyla Servick scored Schwarz with a two out triple into the right center field gap. Servick made it 5-0 as she scored on a wild pitch. After a walk to Aliya Garroway, Street stroked her second double of the game to make it 6-0.

Julie Nardone homerun

South Park cut the deficit in half in the top of the third as they scored three times on a walk, a single, and two errors.

Ellwood City got two back in the home half of the third to make it 8-3. Keira Rozanski led off with an infield single and advanced to third when a line drive by Ellie Kalantzis was misplayed by the right fielder for a two base error. Angie Nardone brought Rozanski in with an rbi groundout and Kalantzis scored on a wild pitch.

After holding the Eagles scoreless in the fourth, the Lady Wolverines essentially put the game out of reach with 7 runs in the home half of the inning. Street led off with an infield hit and scored as Julia Nardone hit a bomb over the left center field fence. Four straight walks to Katelyn Wehman, Rozanski, Kalantzis, and Paige Wearing made it 11-3 and forced a pitching change. Angie Nardone greeted the new pitcher with a two run single up the middle to score Rozanski and Kalantzis. Street made it 15-3 as she hit a triple into the left field corner to score Nardone.

South Park tried to mount a comeback in the fifth as they scored two runs with three singles and a walk. Julia Nardone stranded runners on second and third with a big strikeout and the game ended with a final score of 15-5.

Six players banged out 11 hits for the Wolverines on the afternoon. Julia Nardone got the win in the circle as she scattered 5 hits over 5 innings. She gave up 5 runs, 2 earned as she fanned 5 and walked 3.

The Lady Wolverines will look to make it 5-0, 3-0 in the section, as they travel to Beaver Falls Wednesday for a 4:00 p.m. start with the Tigers.

Ellwood City Junior High Softball Off To Great Start To Season

The Ellwood City Junior High Softball team is off to a great start to its season after collecting a 13-7 victory on the road against Union Area.

The Wolverines banged out 11 hits, including three extra base hits, and collected six stolen bases. Ellwood City drew 12 walks on the afternoon as all but one started drew a base on balls.

Amber McQuistion twirled a complete game on the mound, striking out 14 Scotties while allowing only three hits and one earned run.

Four Wolverines collected two hits in the contest including Rylee Prestopine, Kaylee Palumbi, Kiley LeViere, and Beck. Rightfielder Brown knocked in a team-high four runs while shortstop Dakota Hicks scored three runs for Ellwood City.