Youngsville couldn't overcome an error-filled second inning - in which the Eagles gave up four runs - as they were eliminated from the District 10 Class A playoffs, 8-4, on Tuesday by West Middlesex.
The Big Reds jumped on the board early, scoring a run in the first when Taylor Gilliland led off the game with a double and scored on a base hit from Aly Andrusky, but it was the second inning where they blew the game open.
After Amanda Novosel led off with a single, the Eagles committed three consecutive errors that proved costly, and had a commanding 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second.
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Times Observer photo by Jonathan McAfoos
Ready to play
The Eagles prepare to begin their playoff game against West Middlesex at Allegheny College on Tuesday after the pregame introductions. The Eagles fell into a hole early and lose 8-4.
The Eagles responded with two runs of their own by staging a two-out rally. Judi Lewis was hit by a pitch before Julia Sveda reached on an error. Jessica Jameson capitalized by hitting a two-run single to make the score 5-2, but the Eagles were unable to get any closer.
After giving up another run in the fourth, the Eagles responded again. Lewis hit a double and scored on another Jameson single. The Eagles added their final run in the seventh when Amber Fox walked and eventually scored on an illegal pitch from Jordyn Allen.
Jameson led the Eagles offense, finishing 3-for-3 with two runs driven in.
"We just had too many errors," said Eagles head coach Mark Nyquist. "They had a good pitcher, and they played hard. We couldn't get a big hit when we needed it. You just feel bad for the seniors."
This is the second consecutive year the Eagles were eliminated by the Big Reds.
The Eagles will have a large group of returning players next season, losing five seniors: Fox, Elise Dunn, Colleen Rex, Shelby Anderson and Cierra Ohl are seniors.
Fox finished with 34 RBI over 20 games, and was 34-for-70 (.486). She had 143 strikeouts pitching in 136 innings.
WEST MIDDLESEX (8): ab-r-h-rbi: Gilliland, cf, 4-3-3-0, Monaco, lf, 3-0-0-1, Reed, 2b, 4-0-1-0, Andrusky, c, 4-1-2-2, Allen, p, 4-1-1-0, Novosel, ss, 3-1-1-1, Bowers, dp, 4-1-0-0, Kroesen, 3b, 3-0-0-0, Parcetich, 1b, 2-1-0-1, McFarland, ph, 2-0-0-0, Hazlett, rf, 0-0-0-0, Totals: 33-8-8-5
YOUNGSVILLE (4): ab-r-h-rbi: Rex, c, 4-0-1-0, Ke. Cratty, ss, 4-0-0-0, Fox, p, 3-1-1-0, Gustafson, 3b, 4-0-1-0, S. Anderson, dp, 3-0-0-0, Dunn, 1b, 3-0-0-0, Ohl, ph, 1-0-0-0, Lewis, lf, 2-2-1-0, Sveda, rf, 3-1-1-0, Jameson, cf, 3-0-3-2, Ka. Cratty, 2b, 0-0-0-0, Totals: 30-4-8-2
West Middlesex 140 110 1 8 8 6
Youngsville 020 100 1 4 8 5
2b-Lewis (Y), Gilliland (W), Andrusky (W), Allen (W). 3b-Gilliland (W). WP-Allen. LP-Fox.