Softball: Lansdale Catholic Secures Road Win Against Little Flower
PHILADELPHIA – The Lansdale Catholic Crusaders outhit the Little Flower Sentinels 15-7 on Thursday May 13, 2016 at Little Flower.
Lansdale pitcher Shannon Hill and Little Flower pitcher Alex Dolan each struggled keeping runners off of the bases. Although Dolan settled down in the later innings, a six run second inning by the Crusaders gave them all the runs they needed for the victory.
“We hit ball well,” said Lansdale Catholic Head Coach Paul Suder. “Once they got their sticks together they did a great job.”
Hill had to work for the outs on the mound as the defense stumbled behind her coming off a tough loss against the Archbishop Wood Vikings two days prior.
“We were a little shaky defensively,” Suder added. “Our pitcher threw 144 pitches, way too many pitches.”
Despite five errors including a few errant throws on fielder’s choices, the offense was able to pick up the defense.
“Shannon pitched really well,” said Crusaders senior Alessandra Messina. “They hit well, but so did we.”
Before the game, Little Flower honored their departing seniors with their Senior Day presentation. Seven seniors, six players and one manager, were honored by the team for their dedication over the years including senior Tori Sherwood who has amassed over 120 hits in her Little Flower career.
Little Flower's Pre-Game Senior Ceremony - Angela Montoni/PSD photo
Sherwood added two hits to her total with a leadoff triple in the first going 2-4 on the day with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Despite Little Flower’s offensive efforts, the Crusaders ended up being too much to handle after jumping out to their early lead.
“When you give a team like Lansdale runs early you put yourself behind the eight ball and it’s hard to come back,” said Little Flower Head Coach Dan Milio.
Messina was the hit leader on the day for the Crusaders, going 5-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Hill also had a big day at the plate going 2-4 with five RBIs including an RBI double in the Crusaders’ big second inning.
In the bottom of the third Little Flower was threatening with the bases loaded with two outs. However, the threat was dashed as the runner on second stepped off of the bag with the ball in the pitcher’s circle.
Little Flower’s offense could not catch up despite Dolan throwing shut out fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, Dolan retired the Crusaders in order.
The Sentinels attempted to chip away at the Crusaders lead. In the bottom of the sixth, Sherwood led off adding to her hit total and moved to third on a pop up which turned into a double. However, Little Flower would leave the bases loaded again to end the sixth.
Lansdale Catholic scored two more runs in the seventh inning and that seemed to be the final dagger for Little Flower.
Looking Ahead: Little Flower will travel to face Hallahan tomorrow in a qualifying game for a spot in the PCL playoffs. The Crusaders move on to face North Penn also on Monday, May 16.