Bonner-Prendergast scores three in top of eighth to win pitchers' duel

By Evan Easterling, 04/20/16, 9:45AM EDT

Molly McNulty threw eight shutout innings, striking out six in a win for the Pandas.

CENTER CITY – Bonner-Prendergast found itself with scoring chances early in Tuesday’s game, but could not capitalize, stranding five runners in scoring position in the second, third and fourth innings.

The Pandas (3-2, 2-2 Philadelphia Catholic League) finally broke through in extras innings, scoring three runs in the eighth to earn a 3-0 road victory against Hallahan (2-3, 2-3 PCL) at Von Colln Field.

“I think they just kind of got it together, and knew the game was on the line and kind of took over,” Bonner-Prendie head coach Devin Manion said. “They wanted it more.”

Shortstop Laura DiLucia shows the ball to the umpire after tagging out Hallahan right fielder Mia Viola at second base. (Evan Easterling/Philly Sports Digest)

After first baseman Kaitlyn Martin started the inning with a pop out, third baseman Caroline Manfre and pitcher Molly McNulty singled putting the go-ahead run in scoring position at second base.

The next batter, catcher Melissa Callahan, hit a line drive to center field to score Martin. Mickey Mouse center fielder Beth McCormick’s throw to the plate went out of play, allowing McNulty to advance from third to home and Callahan to move from second to third. Two batters later, second baseman Kerri Quinn brought Callahan home with an RBI single.

The eighth inning was the first time the Pandas capitalized with runners on base. Hallahan sophomore pitcher Maddy McBride got the first two outs of the top of the fourth, but then allowed a walk and hit a batter.

Bonner-Prendie right fielder Mel Robinson hit a tapper back to McBride. Instead of throwing to first, she tried for the force at third but the throw was late, creating a bases loaded situation. Center fielder Allison Martin pulled a hard groundball toward third. Brigid Stermel made a diving stop and tagged the base for the force out, saving at least two runs.

“A lot of things is that the catcher called a real nice game,” Hallahan head coach Keith McFarlane said. “She’s only a sophomore and Julia [Kuneck} knows where to throw Maddy’s pitches and if you notice, they either struck out the last batter, or they hit a ground ball or a pop up and we were able to defensively get out of the game also. So a lot of it has to do with the pitching coach and the catcher and the pitches that they’re calling. Maddy has like four or five pitches that she can throw on spot at any time.”

Molly McNulty on how the Pandas got on the scoreboard in the eighth inning.

Second baseman Kerri Quinn flips the ball to shortstop Laura DiLucia for a force out. (Evan Easterling/Philly Sports Digest)

The Pandas had chances in the previous two innings as well. After a sacrifice bunt by Quinn moved runners to second and third, McBride struck out to end the second inning. McBride then struck out Manfre to strand Martin at third in the next inning.

The sophomore right-hander pitched in and out of trouble all game, allowing eight hits, a walk, and two hit batters but striking out 10 Pandas and stranding eight runners on base.

The best chance for the Mickey Mouse came in the fourth inning. McBride singled and a popup by Stermel fell between the shortstop, second baseman and center fielder, giving Hallahan runners at first and second with no one out. McNulty got a pop out, strike out and ground out to end the inning. The junior right-hander threw a complete game shutout, allowing five hits and striking out six in the win.

“She’s got a great head on her shoulders,” head coach Devin Manion said. “Our assistant coach, Mr. McNulty, he throws great pitches, he tells her what to throw and our catcher [Melissa Callahan] knows how to place the ball. I think that she’s very even keeled when it comes to these kind of games. She kind of stays loose, laughs at the plate and just throws her game, doesn’t let other things get involved.”

“I just really focused on the pitch I was throwing and my defense was doing really good, so I knew that they would back me up,” McNulty said.

Meanwhile, the offensive struggles continued for the Mickey Mouse, who have scored five runs in five games this season. The young team, with 6-of-9 starters being freshmen and sophomores, has made strides defensively, but still needs to adjust to varsity pitching, McFarlane said.

“We had a lot of good defensive plays,” McFarlane said. “Last year we would have never made those plays. For example, a fly ball that was hit to left field, the outfielder came in, it took and bad bounce and the center fielder backed her up and gunned the girl out at third. Last year, we would have never made those plays. Same thing we attempted a pickoff at first. The right fielder came in backed up the throw and gunned the girl out at second…In the speech, I talked to them I kept it real positive for the girls. We’re making great strides defensively, we just need to hit the ball better.”

The Pandas have a quick turnaround with a home matchup against Bishop McDevitt Wednesday, while the Mickey Mouse play Thursday at Archbishop Carroll.

Bonner-Prendergast Stats

No.	Name	Position	Stats
16	Laura DiLucia	ss	0--4
11	Kaitlyn Martin	1b	1--4
7	Caroline Manfre	3b	1--4, 2 Ks, 1 R
2	Molly McNulty	p	1--4, 2 Ks, 1 R
15	Melissa Callahan	c	1--3, HBP, 2B RBI
12	Meg Sullivan	lf	1--3, BB, 2 Ks
5	Kerri Quinn	2b	1--2, RBI, sac bunt, HBP
27	Mel Robinson	rf	1--4, K
32	Allison Martin	cf	1--3
2	Molly McNulty	p	8.0 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 5 H, 6 Ks, 0 BB

Hallahan Stats

No.	Name	Position	Stats
24	Danielle Skrocki	2b	0--4
19	Beth McCormick	cf	0--3, K
22	Maddy McBride	p	1--3
32	Brigid Stermel	3b	1--3
35	Julia Kuneck	c	1--3
14	Emma Stokes	ss	0--3, K, FC
8	Mia Viola	rf	1--3
33	Danielle Shields	1b	1--3, K
18	Marissa Phelan	dp	0--3, 3 Ks
22	Maddy McBride	p	8.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 8 H, 10 K, 1 BB, 2 HBP