MEADVILLE - It took Youngsville about three innings to get its feet wet during Tuesday's District 10 Class A playoff game with West Middlesex at Allegheny College.
Those three innings made all the difference.
The Eagles allowed the Lady Reds to build a 5-0 lead and simply ran out of time during a 5-3 loss that ended Youngsville's season.
Youngsville (10-9) had its chances throughout the game and narrowly missed completing the comeback. Veteran Eagles coach Mark Nyquist was extremely pleased with his team's effort.
"I hate to say it because everybody does, but I couldn't be more proud of this team," said Nyquist. "What they accomplished between where we started and where we finished was outstanding. We played well today, but just didn't make enough plays."
Youngsville threatened in the top of the first when Colleen Rex led off with a walk and Amber Fox doubled with one out to put runners on second and third. However, the Lady Reds were able to stave off the rally and keep the Eagles off the board early.
In the bottom of the first, West Middlesex's offense came to life as the team got an RBI single and an RBI groundout to go on top 2-0.
After shutting down the Eagles during their next two at-bats, West Middlesex added three runs in the bottom of the third. Eagles pitcher Nicole Ciukaj struck out the first batter, but West Middlesex responded by putting six straight runners on base, scoring three runs along the way to build a 5-0 lead.
The Eagles composed themselves and began cutting into the deficit in the top of the fourth. Elise Dunn led off with a single and moved to second on a Shelby Anderson walk. With two on and nobody out, Ashley McLaughlin cracked an RBI single to put the Eagles on the board down 5-1.
Youngsville cut the deficit to two runs in the fifth inning after Judi Lewis led off with a single and Fox walked. Ciukaj sacrificed both runners up a base and Dunn delivered an RBI groundout that made it 5-2. Moments later, Fox raced home on a passed ball and the Eagles were within two at 5-3.
While that would be the last time Youngsville would score in the game, it wouldn't be the last of their chances. The team left the bases loaded in the top of the sixth and squandered an excellent scoring chance in the top of the seventh.
The seventh started off well enough as Dunn singled with one out. Anderson was up next and singled to right, advancing Dunn to third on the play. The West Middlesex rightfielder attempted to throw Dunn out at third and Anderson smartly took off for second. When the ball was thrown to second to try to nail Anderson, Dunn broke for home. Anderson would be safe at second, but the throw home narrowly beat Dunn to the plate and the Eagle was tagged out. One batter later, a groundout ended the Eagles' season.
McLaughlin, Dunn and Lewis had two hits each for the Lady Eagles. Fox, Katie Gustafson, Jessica Jameson, Anderson and Rex all added one hit apiece in defeat.
YOUNGSVILLE (3): Colleen Rex, c, 3-0-1-0, Judi Lewis, lf, 4-1-2-0, Amber Fox, ss, 3-1-1-0, Nicole Ciukaj, p, 3-0-0-0, Elise Dunn, 1b, 4-1-2-1, Shelby Anderson, dh, 3-0-1-0, Ashley McLaughlin, 3b, 4-0-2-1, Katie Gustafson, rf, 3-0-1-0, Jessica Jameson, cf, 3-0-1-0, Kelsey Anderson, 2b, 0-0-0-0, Julia Sveda, cr, 0-0-0-0, Totals: 30-3-11-2
WEST MIDDLESEX (5): Krystiak, cf, 4-2-2-0, Gilliland, lf, 3-2-2-1, Novosel, rf, 3-1-2-2, Commons, 3b, 3-0-1-1, Allen, dh, 3-0-0-0, Androsky, c, 3-0-1-1, Krosen, ss, 3-0-0-0, Monaco, 1b, 3-0-0-0, Aiken, 2b, 2-0-0-0, Michaels, p, 0-0-0-0, Reed, ph, 1-0-0-0, Totals: 28-5-8-5
Youngsville 000 120 0 - 3 11 2
West Middlesex 203 000 x - 5 8 0
2b-Fox (Y). WP-Michaels. LP-Ciukaj.
