EMPORIUM –– Cameron County used Laila Smith’s pitching and a three-run fourth inning to gain separation and top Port Allegany 5-2 on Monday in Northern Allegheny softball.
Smith tossed an eight-hitter, striking out seven and walking none for the mound win for Cameron County (4-1). The Lady Red Raiders broke a 2-2 tie in the fourth inning thanks to doubles by Taylor Britton and Smith and singles by Alyvia McKimm and Amily Schatz.
Hannah Lathrop put the Lady Gators out ahead in the top of the first, smashing a two-run home run for a quick 2-0 lead. Cameron County responded when Smith tripled home Sami Bickford, who led off the inning with a triple. Smith scored on a hit by Schatz.
Smith finished the day 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Bickford and Schatz were both 2-for-4 with two singles.
“It was an evenly played game,” Cameron County coach Ralph McKimm said. “We were able to capitalize with our hitting. They just couldn’t come up with the big hit to keep pace with us.”
Lathrop finished 1-for-4 with her home run for Port Allegany, which also got two hits from Erin Stauffer (2-for-4) and a run scored. The Lady Gators threatened in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings, leaving two runners in scoring position, but could never find the clutch hit to bring home a run. Mackenzie Burr (10 hits, three strikeouts, three walks) took the mound loss for Port Allegany.
Cameron County, now 4-1 on the year, heads to Smethport Wednesday.
“We’re winning,” McKimm said. “We’re not winning big, but we’re winning and that’s the most important part to us.”
Coudersport 10, Oswayo Valley 0, five innings
COUDERSPORT –– Macy Gleason and Shaelyn Black led the offensive while Madison Smith struck out six to lead unbeaten Coudersport to a 10-0 win over Oswayo Valley in five innings in Northern Allegheny softball action Monday.
At the dish, Gleason was 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs, while Black belted a two-run home run. Also for Coudersport (4-0), Emma Powell added a 2-for-3 effort with two runs scored and an RBI, while Joplin Osgood added an RBI-triple and a run scored.
Smith didn’t walk a batter and allowed just two hits in the complete game win.
Madison Nudd and Karina West combined for the mound loss for Oswayo Valley (0-2).
Coudersport is next up at Port Allegany Wednesday, while Oswayo Valley hosts Galeton.
