SMETHPORT — The Smethport Lady Hubbers are going to Disney World after posting a five-inning 11-1 victory over rival Coudersport at Mencer Field on Thursday.
The next softball game for 8-0 Smethport will not take place until the 28th versus Port Allegany as 16 of the 21 girls on the roster are embarking for the Sunshine State.
“It’ll be like the Olympic hockey break,” said Dr. James Kane, Smethport head coach. “Maybe we’ll end up in Russia.”
Coudy head coach Dan Counts wasn’t as fortunate as some his starters had already left for Orlando. The defense suffered because of their absence in committing five errors that were partially responsible for eight runs crossing the plate.
“We had girls going on vacation and others playing in positions they’re not used to,” Counts admitted. “You can’t afford to give Smethport any extra opportunities because they’re too good and they will take advantage.”
The Lady Falcons (3-2) put a runner in scoring position in the top of the first when Smethport starter Brooke Kane-Walker plunked leadoff hitter Bri Majot on the elbow and then Jeri Houghtaling sacrificed Majot to second.
Catcher Torri Johnson made a great catch of a foul ball against the dugout fence and then Majot was stranded when Kane-Walker induced a flyout to left.
The Lady Hubs took a 2-0 lead in the home half on an error, a walk, an RBI single by Kane-Walker and a run-producing double to deep leftcenter by Tori Transue off Coudy starter Kiersten Counts.
“I thought Transue’s was out of here,” Dr. Kane stated. “It’s always nice to jump out to an early lead. It certainly takes the pressure off when you score first.”
After Coudy’s Emilee Bertrand stroked a two-out double but couldn’t advance in the second frame, Smethport tacked on another run in the bottom half when Torri Johnson singled, stole second and scored on a base hit from Quinn Burdick.
The hosts accessed more breathing room in their next at-bat on an RBI single by Tierra Johnson and two costly Coudy miscues that made it 7-zip after three.
“They (Lady Falcons) had a little trouble and they’re missing some starters,” Dr. Kane recalled. “They’re a well-coached team and just a little undermanned today.”
Smethport broke it wide open with three more tallies in the fourth on a passed ball, two more errors and Nicole Nolte’s RBI groundout to short.
Coudy then put the 10-run mercy rule on hold in the fifth with consecutive two-out singles by Majot, Houghtaling and Counts to cut the deficit to 10-1.
“We had trouble stringing hits together, but it’s coming,” coach Counts noted. “We need to get some games under our belt and next week we have four scheduled beginning with Kane on Monday.”
Then in the bottom of the fifth Torri Johnson singled, swiped second and was cashed in by Kane-Walker’s game-ending double to leftcenter.
Kane-Walker was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and struck out eight with a five-hitter. Torri Johnson crossed the dish three times, thus giving the senior 12 runs scored in her last four contests.
“Torri Johnson is setting the table incredibly well in that leadoff spot,” Dr. Kane concluded.
