Remember When?: BVA humbles Elizabeth Forward with 4-2 victory

By RICK BRUNI JR.

Sports Writer

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – Elizabeth Forward softball coach Sandy Smith has heard that crow tastes a lot like chicken.

Smith’s taste buds can only hope that rumor rang true Monday. The tough but good-natured coach was feasting on that particular bird Monday after her Lady Warriors fell to Belle Vernon Area, 4-2, in a Class AA Section 7 duel.

“I know I’m eating a lot of crow right now; I made some pretty bold statements at the beginning of the year,” Smith said. “I think we were a little bit lax today and didn’t realize the caliber of team we were up against.”

EF’s outstanding pitcher, Sarah Holets, gave up four earned runs after being involved in a car accident Saturday. But Smith refused to formulate a single excuse following the upset victory by BVA (7-1, 4-1) as EF fell to 3-1 in section and 3-3 overall.

Holets, whose knee showed a gash and bit of swelling, quietly insisted that she feels fine. The senior finished with eight strikeouts while surrendering six hits.

“That (knee injury) didn’t help her, but Sarah can not do it alone; our defense simply did not step up and I’m disgusted with our outfield play,” Smith said. “Our lineup took too long to adjust (at the plate); our previous games have been against some pretty slow pitchers, but they should’ve caught on the second time through.

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