Commodores prevail in matchup with familiar foe

By Jamie Rankin

For the MV Independent

Frazier softball coach Don Hartman and Chartiers-Houston coach Tricia Alderson and their families have known each other for a long time, and over the years, their respective softball teams have gotten to know each other, too, meeting in the playoffs more than once.

The teams’ latest matchup came in Monday’s WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinals at Peterswood Park, with the Commodores gaining the upper hand early and holding on for a 4-1 victory.

“Every time Frazier and Chartiers-Houston lock horns together, it’s going to be a great game,” Don Hartman said. “There’s a lot of emotion, we know each other, we both know what we bring to the table.”

Two of the things the Commodores brought to the table Monday were solid pitching and strong defensive performances. Freshman Nicole Palmer gave up five hits and scattered six strikeouts in her complete-game win, and Frazier didn’t commit a single error.

Bella Hess led off the game with a single for the Buccaneers, moving to third on a sacrifice bunt before a fly ball and a groundout helped the Commodores get out of the jam. Palmer fanned two batters in the second inning to keep Chartiers-Houston off the board, and Frazier’s fielders retired the side in order in the top of the third.

Hits weren’t much easier to come by for the Commodores early on, as pitcher Nicolette Kloes and the Buccaneers’ defense matched Frazier’s stifling efforts. But Jensyn Hartman broke through in the bottom of the third, slamming a solo home run over the fence in left-center field.

“It was nice to break the ice,” Don Hartman said, adding that he fully expected Chartiers-Houston (13-6) to answer.

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