PHOTOS: Lady Panthers Knock Off Wolverines In Extra Innings

For two rival teams that haven’t met in five years, Thursday’s 2-1 extra innings affair at Riverside proved to be well worth the wait.

The Lady Panthers rallied late to tie things up in the seventh and won it in the eighth on a clutch two out, two strike single by Aliya Ottaviani.

It was a classic pitcher’s duel as Samantha Rosenberger whiffed 14 for the winners while Amber Mcquistion and Sara Schwarz combined for 13 punch outs for the Lady Wolverines.

The teams played the first five innings in less than 45 minutes until Ellwood City got on the board in the sixth. With one out, Julia Nardone walked, advance to second on a groundout by Aliya Garroway and scored on single to center field by Amber Mcquisiton.

Down to their last out in the seventh, Riverside tied things up to force extra innings. Back to back singles with one out by Mia Williams and Maddie Fryer put runners on first and second. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch and Williams scored as Josie Cummings beat out an infield hit.

Ellwood City had runners on first and third with two outs in the top of 8th but couldn’t capitalize. With one out in bottom of the inning, Braley Zappia reached second on a two base error. With two outs, Ottaviani laced a 1-2 fastball up the middle for the game winner.

Keira Rozanski, Mcquisiton, Natalee Gillin, and Lexi Beck all had singles for Ellwood City. Mcquistion went five innings in the circle fanning 10 without a walk while limiting the Panthers to three hits and no runs. Sara Schwarz took the loss as she gave up just four hits. She struck out three and also did not issue a walk. She gave up 2 runs, 1 earned over one and two thirds innings.

The Lady Panthers banged out seven hits on the day led by Samantha Rosenberger with a double and single. Dannie Rosenberger, Williams, Ottaviani, and Cummings each contributed a single. Rosenberger was masterful in the circle as she kept the Lady Wolverines off balance all game long. In addition to her 14 strikeouts, she walked just two batters over 8 innings of work.

Thursdays contest featured both teams supporting the local Club Hope Foundation. Each team wore a shade of purple and the game featured a pizza wagon on site for dinner, drinks and snacks. Donation collected went directly to Club Hope Foundation.

UP NEXT: Ellwood City (7-3 Overall) will begin the second half of section play on Friday as the Hopewell Vikings visit Stiefel Park for a 5:00 p.m. first pitch.  Riverside (7-1 Overall) will next host Aliquippa on Friday at 4:00 p.m. before a three road games await the Panthers beginning next week.