Remember When?: Looking good: Freshman Baron gets no-hitter

By MARK KABOLY

For the Valley Independent

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – Although he might not admit it, Belle Vernon Area (softball) coach Lou Rood had to feel some apprehension early this year.

That is because after coming off of one of the school’s best seasons since 1992, Rood made a huge change in moving his pitcher Erica Templin, who won 11 games on the mound last year, to center field and go with a sophomore and a freshman pitcher.

That bold move from Rood has paid off so far this year because of the emergence of freshman Kelly Baron, who has led BVA to seven straight wins.

Baron has been dominant this year, but she just might have saved her best effort when the Lady Leps shut out Sec. 6 AAA foe Mt. Pleasant, 4-0.

Baron pitched a no-hitter as she struck out nine batters and walked two as she faced just one batter over the minimum 21. She threw 98 pitches en route to the Lady Leps eight straight win.

“She was real dominant today,” said Rood. “I was never, at any point during that game, really concerned that they were going to score.”

In the past two games, Baron has allowed just two hits while striking out 17 and walking just five. On the season, Baron has 51 strikeouts and just 16 walks in 45 2/3 innings of work. 

“That’s the key right there,” noted Rood. “You have to earn your way on against her.”

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