Lancers shut out Bearcats to take Class 2A crown

“Machine” tops the underdog to win 2A championship; Addy Frye strikes out 12 in the win.

The WPIAL Class 2A softball championship was billed as the “underdogs vs. the machine.”

Unfortunately, for No. 2-seed Bentworth, the Neshannock machine keeps on chugging along.

The Lancers (22-0) continued their dominance of Class 2A, winning their third straight WPIAL championship with a 3-0 shutout win over the Bearcats (17-3).

Despite the loss, there weren’t many tears along the third-base line. There was a look of respect as the Lancers received their gold medals and looks of motivation.

“They’re a great team and I think their experience played a part in today’s result,” Bentworth head coach Jack Cramer said. “We had some chances that we didn’t take advantage of early. I think nerves played in to that. We made it about a step further than I thought we were at, but we have no seniors and I have no doubt these girls are going to bounce back.”

The Bearcats had a chance to take an early lead on Lancers’ standout pitcher Addy Frye.

Sydney Gonglik was hit by a pitch and went to second on a passed ball. Sofia Gaussa walked and both runners moved to second and third on another passed ball.

But Frye beared down and struck out Nora Lindley and Zoie McDonald before getting Kyleigh Glaze to ground out to short.

Frye was dominant after the first inning and finished the game with a three-hitter with 12 strikeouts.

“It’s tough because we haven’t been in a big game until last week in the semifinals,” Cramer said. “You face Laurel then face (Neshannock) in a championship. These girls will tell you there weren’t any nerves, but know there were.”

After the Bearcats failed to score, the Lancers took advantage in the bottom of the first.

Miley Anderson laid down a bunt single, a staple in the Neshannock offensive attack. She stole second base before Jaidon Nogay was hit by a Gonglik pitch.

Both runners advanced on a passed ball before Anderson scored on a Gonglik wild pitch.

Nogay moved to third on the play, just before Gabby Perod ripped a shot to left for an RBI single to make it 2-0.

That was plenty of run support for Frye, a Providence recruit. Frye allowed only three singles the rest of the way, two by Gonglik. She did walk to batters, but she struck out 12.

After the first, Gonglik settled in not allowing another run until the Lancers added some insurance in the bottom of the fifth on another RBI single by Perod that scored Anderson.

Gonglik scattered seven hits and allowed three earned runs. She struck out six.

“She’s pitched in a lot of big games in her time, but this was a championship game. There were some nerves there I’m sure,” Cramer said. “But she settled in and shut them down. We hung around and surprised them I think.”

The Bearcats made some noise in the top of the seventh with two outs. Hailey Tatar walked and Aubrie Logan was hit by a pitch to bring in Kayla O’Dell. Unfortunately, O’Dell popped up to second baseman Ali Giordano in shallow center with Gonglik on deck circle.

“We were close there,” Cramer said with a smile. “Gonglik up with the bases loaded, I’d take that all day. She can easily slam one out of here.”

Disappointed, sure, but complimentary to “the machine,” Cramer is confident as his team enters the state playoffs. The Bearcats will travel to District 5 champion Everett (15-0) Monday.

“It’s not a bad thing to lose to that team. They’re a great team,” Cramer said. “But we’re going to get our chance. We respect them, but they know that we gave them one of their closest games of the season. We’ll bounce back and get ready for the state playoffs.”

Could there be a potential rematch of the two teams in a state semifinal?

“I wouldn’t be surprised at all,” Cramer said with a smile.