Saegertown celebration

By T.J. Turrisi

July 21, 2008 11:30 pm

— COCHRANTON — Oh what a difference a year makes.
Last season the Saegertown 9 & 10 softball all-stars went two-and-out in the District 1 tournament.
This time around the French Creek Valley American all-stars are 4-1 with the town’s first 9 & 10 championship and a berth in the Section 1 tourney.
FCVA topped Cochranton 6-2 in the second game of the championship finals in Cochranton on Monday.
“We just worked so hard for this, this year,” assistant and former head coach Trisha Offi said after the big win. “They came out and won as a team, and it was awesome.”
FCVA defeated Mid-East and Conneaut Valley on the road to the winner’s bracket final. The girls then topped Cochranton in a tight-to-the-finish contest, 4-3.
Cochranton showed it still had some fight in the first game of the championship by taking a lopsided 12-3 tally.
But FCVA came out swinging and put up eight hits with just five strikeouts Monday.
“Last game we had four hits and threw the ball around,” head coach Rob Robison said. “I was waiting for the team to come out and finally hit as a team, and (Monday) they did that. I think the confidence level went up considerably.”
Leadoff Maile Chang reached on a double in the top of the first and became run No. 1 for FCVA after stealing her way around to the dish.
Cochranton evened the score in the bottom half when catcher Sami Kinter walked and scored on an RBI double by Katy Dunn.
Dunn was Cochranton’s only player with a hit — she posted both in a 2-for-3 performance.
FCVA substitute Alyssa Penfield was hit by a pitch to start the third inning. She scored four batters later when Felisha Offi drove in two runs with a single that went off the glove of second baseman Ariel Smith and into right field.
Makenna Robison counted as the other run scored on the play, and in effect the game-winner.
Robison had the offensive performance of the game, going 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
Matti Sommers put the game away in the fourth with a bunt to lead off the side for FCVA.
Kinter threw the ball into left field, and Sommers made her way around to third with no outs.
Chang drove Sommers in with a groundout, Rebecca Siple walked to follow and came around to score on an RBI single by Robison. And catcher Jessica Tomiczek hit a single, stole second, moved to third on Robison’s hit and stole home.
Tomiczek also had a big day at the plate with two singles and a run.
“Makenna, being my daughter, I’ve been waiting for that the whole tournament,” Robison said. “Jess, same thing. They had some nice hits up the middle.
“Everybody, as a team, hit good (Monday). When we needed hits we got them.”
Cochranton found some life in the bottom of the sixth when Dunn singled into center, went to second on a fielder’s choice, took third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout.
But Makala Wyant was caught trying to steal home by Sommers for the final out of the game.
Siple went the complete game with two earned runs on two hits and three walks. She fanned 12 batters in the winning effort.
“She’s a very focused young girl, no doubt,” Robison said.
“She keeps the team focused. She does an excellent job,” Offi added of Siple.
Kassidy Dickson pitched the first three innings for Cochranton and allowed three runs on six hits. Dunn came in to give up three unearned on two hits and a walk.
FCVA advances to the Section 1 tournament at McLane Little League and will receive a bye in the first round.
They will face the winner of a contest between Northwestern (District 3) and Warren (District 10) at 6 p.m. Friday for a chance to go to the winner’s bracket finals.

T.J. Turrisi can be reached at 724-6370, ext. 276 or by e-mail at tjturrisi@meadvilletribune.com.