Warriors blank Leopards, 3-0

By Dean Dellamalva Jr.

MVI Sports

Since returning from its preseason trip to Florida, the Elizabeth Forward girls softball team has not allowed a run.

That trend continued on Friday as the Warriors blanked Section 2-4A rival Belle Vernon Area, 3-0, in Washington Township.

EF hurler Kailey Larcinese continued her early season dominance by going the distance and allowing just two hits with a walk and one hit batsman. She also fanned 11 Leopards hitters and drove in two runs for the Warriors.

The pitching of BVA freshman pitcher Talia Ross opened some eyes as well.

She also pitched all seven innings, giving up three runs on just three hits. She walked seven but kept the Elizabeth Forward bats at bay and worked out of several potentially dangerous situations.

“Talia did excellent, especially since she is actually our third pitcher,” Leps head coach Tom Rodriguez said. “She did fine and I think she caught them off-balance. They hit the ball hard but we were able to field them. But that’s the way the game goes. I’m not going to say I’m ecstatic, but I’m happy with the outcome.”

Belle Vernon Area (3-2, 1-1) entered the contest allowing an average of nine runs per game. But the defense made plays and the Warriors (5-2, 3-0) could not cash in on opportunities. Their impatience at the plate was a detriment to them being more productive.

“I wasn’t really happy with our hitting, it was not as good as it should have been,” EF coach Harry Rutherford said. “We were swinging at extremely bad pitches, a lot of pitches out of the zone. That was more of the problem than anything else.”

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