The Eagles won the opening game, 13-5, for their first win of the season. The Knights came back to take game 2, 12-5, for the split.

“The kids played hard,” Youngsville coach Scott Ishman said. “It’s been a tough season and the girls have come a long way. I’m happy for them.”

Eisenhower coach Rich Pascuzzi thought his team was a little too hyped to start the evening.

“We didn’t play well (in the first game),” he said. “We were over aggressive.”

Eisenhower pitcher Alexis Courtney throws a pitch during the second game of a doubleheader against Youngsville at Youngsville High School, Friday, May 3, 2019. The Eagles won the first game of the evening, 13-3, while the Knights took the second, 12-5.

By the second game, the Knights had settled in and channeled that aggression.

“I’m really proud of how they played as a team,” Eisenhower assistant coach Amber Fox said. “They were all cheering for each other and engaged.”

– – –

Game 1: YOUNGSVILLE 13,

EISENHOWER 3, 5 INNINGS

Youngsville got the bats going early and often in the opening game. Wilhelm, Jena Wilson and Kamryn Weissinger all scored in the first as the Eagles went through the lineup. Youngsville added two each in the second and third. Eagles pitcher Erin Dunn scored in both innings, Wilson came around again and White came across as well as the Eagles took a 7-2 lead.

“We were hitting the ball and were smart at the plate,” Ishman said. “We also made some nice plays defensively.”

Eisenhower plated one in each of the second and third innings. Alexis Courtney scored in the second and Lexi Head came around in the third. Brittany Smith scored in the fourth to cut the deficit to 7-3, but the Eagles answered with five in the home half.

With one out, Upton, Goss and Carrington all reached and scored. Wilhelm and Dunn each scored with two outs. White scored the game-ending run in the fifth.

– – –

Game 2: EISENHOWER 12, YOUNGSVILLE 5

The Eagles looked poised to pick up right where they left off in the second half of the doubleheader.

Youngsville scored four in the first, but Eisenhower pitcher Alexis Courtney held the Eagles off the board for the next three innings to allow the Knights a chance to climb back in it.

Wilhelm, Dunn, Wilson and Weissinger all reached and scored in the top of the first.

Kayla Greene and Shelby Kuzminski came around in the bottom half-the Knights were the home team in the second game-to cut the lead to 4-2. Greene and Head scored in the third to tie it at 4-4.

Smith, Sam Gourley and Greene reached and scored in the fourth to put Eisenhower ahead, 7-4. The Knights wouldn’t relinquish the lead.

Wilhelm walked and scored in the sixth to cut the lead to 7-5, but the Knights offense exploded for five runs in the bottom of the inning.

Gourley, Greene, Kuzminski, Head and Courtney all came across to push the advantage to 12-5. Courtney pitched a 1-2-3 seventh to close out the win.

Courtney allowed one run over five innings and struck out nine.

“If we played like we played the last game, we can beat anybody,” Pascuzzi said.

Youngsville hits the road twice next week. The Eagles are at Saegertown Tuesday and head to Cambridge Springs Thursday.

Eisenhower has a busy week. The Knights host Smethport for a doubleheader Monday and welcome Union City Tuesday before hitting the road to face Iroquios Thursday.

– – –

Game 1

Eisenhower (3)

Greene cf 3-0-0-0, Fetzeck 2b 3-0-1-0, Kuzminski ss 3-0-1-0, Head p 3-1-1-0, Tower c 3-0-2-0, Courtney 1b 3-1-1-0, Smith lf 2-1-1-0, Gourley rf 2-0-2-0, Olsen 3b 2-0-0-0, Totals 24-3-9-0

Youngsville (13)

Wilhelm ss 5-2-3-0, Dunn p 5-3-4-0, Wilson 3b 5-2-5-0, Weissinger cf 4-1-4-0, Dalrymple 1b 4-0-1-0, Upton 2b 4-1-2-0, Goss rf 4-1-3-0, Carrington lf 4-1-3-0, White c 4-2-2-0, Totals 39-13-27-0

Eisenhower 011 10x x – 3 9 0

Youngsville 322 51x x – 13 27 0

– – –

Game 2

Youngsville (5)

Wilhelm ss 2-2-0-0, Dunn p-ss 4-1-2-0, Wilson 3b-p 3-1-1-0, Weissinger cf 2-1-1-0, Dalrymple 1b 4-0-1-0, Upton 2b 3-0-0-0, Goss rf 4-0-1-0, Carrington lf 3-0-0-0, White 2-0-0-0, Totals

Eisenhower (12)

Greene cf 4-4-3-0, Fetzeck 2b 4-0-0-0, Kuzminski c 4-2-2-0, Head ss 3-2-2-0, Courtney 3b-p 3-1-1-0, Pascuzzi 1b 3-0-1-0, Smith lf 4-1-0-0, Gourley rf 2-2-1-0, Olsen p-3b 3-0-0-0, Totals

Youngsville 400 001 0- 5

Eisenhower 202 305 x – 12