Cougars shut out ’Hounds

By DEAN DELLAMALVA JR.

MVI Sports

Poor field conditions led to moving the softball chapter of the “Battle for the Bridge” to Charleroi from Monessen on Tuesday. But the Cougars felt right at home playing as the visitors.

Charleroi got the lead early and pitcher Sofia Celaschi kept the Greyhounds off the scoreboard in an 8-0 Cougars win.

Celaschi walked five – four in the first two innings – and struck out nine Monessen hit ters in the victory.

“It’s great to get back on the winning side,” Charleroi coach Trey Tilghman said. “The defense was really great. It helped us out early.”

Celaschi settled in after the first two innings as Monessen had only five players reach base over the final five frames.

“(Celaschi) does not pitch often but when she does, she pitches well,” Tilghman said. “She struggled a little with control early but got into her groove. She had four walks in the first two innings and we got out of it.”

Despite what her linescore might suggest, Greyhounds pitcher Hannah Yorty did not have a bad game either. She pounded the strike zone most of the game but the Cougars’ hitters found the open spots in the field in most cases.

“The hits that Charleroi had were beautiful hits. They earned every run they scored,” Monessen coach Mia Emiliani said. “Hannah held her own today. She did great. Defensively, we cleaned some things up today.”

A couple Charleroi hitters had big games at the plate. Riley Jones went 3 for 4 with two triples and an RBI. Jocelyn Polonoli was 2 for 4 with a double and three RBIs. Kylie Quigley had two extra-base hits with a double and a triple.

“We just missed on a few of those hits, too,” Tilghman said. “I thought we swung the bat a lot better than we did yesterday. We have a couple good hitters who are struggling, hopefully they will come around.”

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