Knoch softball season ended
ADAMS TWP — Knoch softball coach Chris Gardner admitted his team’s bats have been in a bit of a slumber.
Hampton pitcher Marissa Snyder made sure they didn’t wake up.
The Talbot freshman struck out 15 and tossed a 2-hitter as Hampto (16-4) defeated the Knights (14-7), 11-2, in a WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal on Wednesday at the Mars Area High School Field.
“Our bats have been quiet in recent games,” Gardner said. “We hit well in a few games this year, but by and large, we’ve been quiet. Our bats were definitely quiet today.
“We just didn’t hit the girl.”
Not many teams have.
Snyder recorded her 100th strikeout of the season in Hampton’s previous game. Lindsey Wise singled to left in the fourth inning and Brynne Smith delivered a two-out, two-run single to right in the same frame. That uprising cut Hampton’s lead to 5-2.
“We had the bases loaded and no one out that inning,” Gardner said. “We needed to get more runs right there and we didn’t.”
The Talbots began their first inning by collecting five consecutive hits against Knoch starting pitcher Marlee Fraser, scoring four runs. They responded to Knoch’s two-run fourth by adding another four-spot in the bottom of the inning.
“I told the girls that Marissa was giving her all, pitching a great game for them, and we needed to get those runs back,” Hampton coach Katie Hedderman said. “We got them back and then some.
“That’s what I like about this team. Everybody had each other’s backs. Nobody’s afraid to make a mistake because she knows a teammate will pick her up. We hit the ball well throughout our lineup.”
The first four batters in Hampton’s lineup on Wednesday — Charlotte Lomb, Brooke Murgenovich, Mackenzie Reese and Katelyn Dubee — were particularly productive. They combined to collect 11 hits in 16 at bats, scoring eight runs and driving in six.
The Talbots start four freshmen and four seniors.
“We knew we had an outstanding senior class this year and those freshmen have done a great job of supporting them,” Hedderman said.
Hampton banged out 16 hits against Fraser and Kaila Purcell.
Knoch had a three-game win streak snapped. The Knights had only two seniors — right fielder Smith and first baseman Sylvia Luffy — in their starting lineup. Other seniors on the roster are Sarah Mitchell and Sam Robb.
Six of Knoch’s starters on Wednesday were freshmen or sophomores.
“I like where our program s going,” Gardner said. “I see no reason why we can’t be right back here at this point next year.”
Knoch 000 200 0 — 2 2 4
Hampton 410 402 x — 11 16 0
WP: Marissa Snyder 7IP (15so, 3bb). LP: Marlee Fraser 4IP (3so, 2bb).
Knoch (14-7): Lindsey Wise 1B, Brynne Smith 1B 2-RBI.
Hampton (16-4): Charlotte Lomb 2-1B, Brooke Murgenovich 4-1B 2-R, Mackenzie Reese 2B 3B 4-RBI 2-R, Katelyn Dubee 2B 2-1B 2-RBI 3-R, Aliza Michielli 1B RBI, Jessi Lang 2-1B RBI, Marissa Snyder 2B 1B 2-RBI, Eden Lawrence RBI.