SV’s Hames out-duels Butler, Ogin, 1-0
JACKSON TWP — The run was unearned — but earned Seneca Valley a victory.
Neve Miller reached on an infield error to begin the bottom of the third inning and wound up scoring on a botched ground ball, the run standing up for a 1-0 Raider softball win over Butler on Monday.
Neither team had a runner get as far as third base in any other inning.
“This was a pitchers’ game all the way,” SV coach Marlesse Hames sid. “Fortunately, we were able to scratch out a run.”
Junior pitcher Lexie Hames was her usual self for the Raiders, striking out 18 and allowing only one hit while walking none. Butler (2-4, 1-4) had only two base runners all day — a two-out bloop single to center by Madi Wolfe and Lily Vicari reaching on a two-out infield error in the seventh.
“I told our girls not to worry about the strikeouts, not to let them beat you mentally,” Butler coach Kara Sroka said. “She (Hames) is going to get her strikeouts. She struck out 18 against Hempfield.
“Just stand in, do what you can do in there, try to put the ball in play.”
Seneca Valley (9-0, 6-0) picked up its fourth consecutive shutout. Only two teams — Baldwin and Pine-Richland — have scored on the Raiders this season.
Seneca Valley tried scoring a second run in third inning, but was denied. With two on and one out, Hames hit a pop fly behind first base and was ruled out via the infield fly rule. The ball was mishandled and Rylee Kratochvil attempted to score from second base.
First baseman Meghan Reay recovered the ball and threw a strike to catcher Vicari to cut Kratochvil down at the plate.
Butler pitcher Kelsey Ogin was the hard-luck loser, tossing a three-hitter and striking out seven in defeat. She allowed one walk.
“Kelsey was phenomenal, but I’m encouraged by how we played as a team,” Sroka said. “We didn’t have after those miscues led to a run for them. We hung in and battled against one of the best teams out there.
“It’s a loss and you never want to give up an unearned run, but it takes a while to turn the ship ... These girls learned something about themselves today.”
Lexie Hames has had multiple 18-plus strikeout games this season, along with no-hitters.
“I’ve really worked hard on my riser, getting more revs on the spin,” Lexie said. “I also pay attention to where the batter’s feet are in the box because that affects how I’m going to throw that pitch.
“Our bats were lazy today. There wasn’t much energy in our dugout. We were coming off that big win over Hempfield and maybe that was part of it ... We found a way to win today and that’s what’s important. In 6A softball, all of the teams are good.”
Coach Hames said her daughter has been extra motivated by the prospect of pitching for the U18 Team USA this summer.
“She has a lot more work to do here (in high school), of course, but I also think she’s rising this season go get ready for summer. Lex is working hard to be the best pitcher she can be.”
Butler 000 000 0 — 0 1 2
Seneca Valley 001 000 x — 1 3 1
WP: Lexie Hames 7IP (18k, 0bb). LP: Kelsey Ogin 6IP (7k, 1bb).
Butler (2-4, 1-4): Madi Wolfe 1B.
Seneca Valley (9-0, 6-0): Rylee Kratochvil 1B, Kara Pasquale 2B, Lexie Hames 1B.
Wednesday: Butler at Pine-Richland, Baldwin at Seneca Valley
