The Highland softball team ran into an unbeatable combination of great pitching, clutch hitting and solid defense in its first state semifinal appearance.
Haverling starter Kaili WItherell retired 20 Highland batters in a row – between singles in the first and seventh innings – and the second-ranked Rams posted a 6-0 victory over the Huskies in a Class B semifinal in Binghamton on June 13.
Highland leadoff batter Violet Brienza beat out a single on a ball that barely eluded the gloves of Witherell and shortstop Lola Coots. She moved to second on a groundout but got no further.
Delainey Reid halted the perfect run with a clean single to left with two outs in the seventh. But Pavese struck out on a 2-2 offering and the Rams gathered for a celebration in the infield.
Section 9 champion Highland wraps up the season at 16-6. Haverling (21-3) advances to the state finals on Saturday.
The Rams ultimately won with a first-inning run. Bound for Texas State, Witherell collected the first of her four singles, lining a shot off the gloves of Pavese and second baseman Abigail Paserba. Courtesy runner Natalie Williams scored on a two-out ground rule double bounced over the wall in right-center by Caydence Spears.
A splendid defensive play allowed Highland to keep it a one-run game in the third inning. Williams was thrown out at home plate as she tried to take two bases off a running catch by Taylor Anzalone in right – shortstop Sierra Spinelli fielded the cutoff behind second base and gunned down Williams.
Haverling busted the game open in the fifth. Emmalyn Lafler looped an 0-2 offering from Pavese to left field for a one-out single. Witherell laced a first pitch to right-center for another single. Abbie Whaley ripped an 0-1 offering sharply down the right-field line, eluding the reach of Anzalone and going for a two-run triple.
Witherell started a seventh-inning rally with another single and Makayla Smith drew a one-out walk. Spears knocked in both runners with a double to right-center.
kmcmillan@th-record.com
X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Potent Highland softball offense shut down in state semifinal loss to No. 2 Haverling
Reporting by Ken McMillan, Middletown Times Herald- Record / Times Herald-Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
