Softball: Falcons Outslug Bishop McDevitt in Wild Shootout for Third Straight Win

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Falcons Outslug Bishop McDevitt in Wild Shootout for Third Straight Win

After piling up 32 runs over their previous two games, Cedar Crest took its red-hot bats on the road Friday and kept right on rolling. The Falcons erupted for 23 runs in a wild back-and-forth contest, pulling away late for a 23-16 victory over Bishop McDevitt to stretch their winning streak to three games.

Ali Groff powered the offensive outburst for Cedar Crest, driving in five runs on three hits. Groff doubled home two runs in the 2nd, singled in two more in the 6th, and also drew a bases-loaded walk during the Falcons’ game-changing rally.

Cedar Crest seized early control in the 2nd when it sent seven runs across on four hits to grab a 7-1 lead. Groff’s two-run double was the biggest swing in that inning, while the Falcons immediately put pressure on Bishop McDevitt with patient at-bats and timely hitting.

The Crusaders answered in the 3rd and 4th, however, turning the game into a slugfest. Fran Safford homered in the 3rd, and Harper Plague delivered a pair of big run-scoring hits as Bishop McDevitt surged in front 14-8 after four innings.

Cedar Crest did not stay down for long. After scratching out a run in the 4th to briefly regain the lead at 8-7, the Falcons finally broke the game open in the 6th. They exploded for 11 runs in the inning, flipping the momentum for good. Elli Malinoski delivered a two-run double during the surge, while Groff’s two-run single and bases-loaded walk helped fuel the decisive frame.

Addison Nolen started in the circle for Cedar Crest and worked four innings, allowing 11 hits and 14 runs, though only four were earned. Lilly Annibali settled things down in relief and gave the Falcons three innings to close it out, allowing two runs while helping Cedar Crest withstand the Crusaders’ dangerous lineup.

The Falcons finished with 16 hits and also showed a sharp eye at the plate, drawing 12 walks. Julia Cole, Malinoski, and Groff each had three hits, while Ava Rosario added two more. Jackie Funderburk reached base repeatedly and drew three walks as Cedar Crest kept constant pressure on Bishop McDevitt’s pitching staff.

Bishop McDevitt also collected 16 hits in the loss. Plague went 5-for-6 with seven RBI to lead the Crusaders, while Safford belted two home runs. Sophia Giunta, Olivia Miller, and Alexa Pradhan also turned in multi-hit performances for Bishop McDevitt.

Cedar Crest, now 7-5, has won three straight games and will look to keep its hot offense going on Monday with a road trip to Penn Manor.

Cedar Crest 23, Bishop McDevitt 16

Cedar Crest Leaders

Cedar Crest Leaders
Ali Groff: 3-4, 3 R, 5 RBI, 2B, 2 BB
Elli Malinoski: 3-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 2B
Julia Cole: 3-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, BB
Ava Rosario: 2-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, 3B, BB, SB
Mia Lutz: 2-4, R, 3 RBI, 2B, BB
Jackie Funderburk: R, 2 RBI, 3 BB, SB
Paige Vandett: R, 3 RBI
Kate Poorman: 1-3, R, RBI, BB

Pitching
Addison Nolen: 4.0 IP, 11 H, 14 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 0 K
Lilly Annibali: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Bishop McDevitt Leaders

Harper Plague: 5-6, R, 7 RBI
Fran Safford: 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 HR, 2 BB
Sophia Giunta: 2-6, R, RBI
Olivia Miller: 2-5, R
Alexa Pradhan: 2-4, 2 R
Emma O’Leary: 1-5, 3 R, 2 RBI
Katelyn Roadcap: 3 R, BB

Pitching
Janna Thomas: 5.0 IP, 10 H, 11 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
Addy Dides: 2.0 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 5 BB, 1 K
Harper Plague: 0.0 IP, 1 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K

Last Game: Cedar Crest Explodes for 20 Runs in Road Rout of Manheim Township