Knoch softball outlast Butler, 8-4
BUTLER TWP — “Small ball plays big.”
Those were the words of Knoch girls softball coach Gary Coe Thursday evening after watching his team lay down four bunts — two as sacrifices, two resulting in hits —in the Knights’ 8-4 win at Butler.
Knoch has won three of its last four games and is preparing for the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs.
“Smallball is an important part of softball, especially in the playoffs,” Coe said. “Bunting in fast-pitch is difficult and we wanted to work on that today. We were aggressive on the bases, too. We wanted to be moving out there.”
The Knights executed a double-steal in the first inning, resulting in a run when the catcher’s throw to third base got away. Consecutive bunt singles in the third inning gave Knoch (7-8) the bases loaded with none out. All three of those runners scored. One crossed the plate on a fielder’s choice, Brynne Smith hit a sacrifice fly and Sylvia Luffy grounded a run-scoring single to right field with two outs.
Those plays resulted in a 5-0 lead, but winless Butler fought back.
The Golden Tornado (0-11) scored a run without a hit in the third as Tori Gilliland led off with a walk, moved to second on a passed ball, to third on Kierra Smith’s sacrifice bunt and scored on Kaela Malis’ ground out to second.
“Physical and mental errors have been hurting us and they hurt us again today,” Butler coach Cait Baxter said. “We had to work hard for the runs we scored today. We want the other team to have to work hard for theirs, too.
“Our errors helped them score six runs. We can’t afford to do that against any opponent.”
Butler pulled within 5-4 in the fourth. Gracie Negley — one of four freshmen in the starting lineup — lined a home run to center to begin the inning. With one out, Kelsey Ogin walked and Savanah Downing singled. Both moved up on a wild pitch and scored on Smith’s two-out single to center.
“We have talented players, we’re just inexperienced,” Baxter said. “We just need to play games. Each game is an opportunity to get better.”
Luffy had an RBI single in the fifth, Edwards an RBI double, Davis a run-scoring single in the sixth as Knoch added on. Luffy replaced winning pitcher Brynnae Coe in the circle to begin the fifth and retired all nine Butler batters she faced.
“Those two pitchers give us a nice mix,” Coe said. “We bring Sylvia in to pitch the latter innings a lot. She did an outstanding job tonight.”
Ogin, a sophomore, struck out 10 and walked only one batter for the Golden Tornado.
“Our pitching (coaching) staff has been working with her and Kelsey keeps getting better and better,” Baxter said. “When she’s hitting her spots, she’s very good. We need to play better defense behind her.”
Butler committed four physical errors Thursday. The Tornado also failed to catch a ball bunted in the air that would have been a sure double play and threw late to the plate on a fielder’s choice, setting up the Knights’ three-run third.
No. 3 hitter Edwards had two hits, an RBI and two runs scored, No. 4 hitter Davis three hits, two RBI and two runs scored.
“It was great seeing those two break out today,” Coe said.
Knoch2030120 — 8110
Butler 0013000 — 434
W: Brynnae Coe 4IP (3K, 3BB). L: Kelsey Ogin 7IP (10K, 1BB)
Knoch (7-8): Madi Gardner 1B, Brynnae Coe 2-1B 2-R, Lindsay Edwards 2B 1B RBI 2-R, Taylor Davis 3-1B 2-RBI 2-R, Sennett Purcell 1B RBI, Brynne Smith RBI, Sylvia Luffy 2-1B 2-RBI.
Butler (0-11): Kaela Malis RBI, Gracie Negley HR, Savanah Downing 1B, Kierra Smith 1B 2-RBI
Friday: Knoch at Greensburg Salem
Monday: Butler at Norwin
