#haleysmith

Bethany gave it a spirited run in the PAC softball tournament, but in the end, the Bison succumbed to the same issue that befell all other PAC teams this season—trying to figure out Geneva pitcher Haley Smith. In two tournament games, Smith pitched 12 shutout innings, allowing two hits in a 9-0 win against Grove City, then five in a 3-0 victory against Bethany. The No. 3 seed, Bethany first had to get past No. 2 Westminster, a team the Bison failed to beat in four tries during the regular season. After the first loss to Gevena on Saturday, Bethany against had to best the Titans for another crack at the Golden Tornado. It became a pitchers’ duel between Bethany freshman Josie Wise and Westminster tandem Madison Brown and Abbegail Froehlich. Only a throwing error allowed pinch-runner Ally McCell to score in the second inning from third. She came on to run for Alex Kopec, who led off the inning with a single. McCell’s run came with two outs. That proved to be all that Bethany needed as Wise scattered four hits, adding two strikeouts and receiving a solid effort behind her to preserve the shutout. That set up a rematch with Geneva and, if Bethany wanted to win the title, it needed two wins in a row against the Tornado. Geneva saved Smith for a potential second game and opted to throw Nicole West, no slouch in her own right with a 16-2 record. The Bison elected to dance with the arm that brought them and trotted out Wise for her fourth game in three days. She battled, but allowed four runs (three earned)on six hits with four strikeouts. West, meanwhile, allowed five hits and two runs. Marina Manuppelli’s two-run double in the fourth inning proved the difference maker as Bethany cut it to 3-2 but couldn’t bring the tally even. The Tornado won their first PAC title since 2012. Smith was honored with a well-earned Most Outstanding Player for the tournament. Bethany’s Wise, along with outfielder Paige Allen and catcher Jen Oberthur were named to the all-tournament team. The loss was a disappointing end to an otherwise great season for the Bison. The last time Bethany played a full season in 2019, it finished 10-22 and just 6-9 in the PAC. It’s last game that season was a 21-1 whitewashing at the hands of eventual champion St. Vincent. Finishing runner-up and more than doubling its win total from 2019 has the program back on the upswing in head coach Cassie Moore’s third season.

Barons Place Three on First Team

Franciscan placed three players on the first team when the PAC released its call conference team for women’s lacrosse. Seniors Madeline Smith and Maureen Cain were joined by junior Grace Deegan in earning first team honors. Only conference champion Washington & Jefferson, with its six honorees found more of its players on the first unit. Barons’ senior Maria Hilkert was named second team, along with Bethany’s Rikiah Wise. The Bison’s Cassidy Mailloux was named honorable mention. BC’s Sarah Sberna and FUS’ Drane Perpepaj were named to the PAC Sportsmanship Team. Sberna is a junior and John Marshall graduate. No. 1 W&J defeated Thiel in the PAC finale after knocking off No.4 seed Franciscan in the semifinal round, 17-12.

Baseball Tournament Begins Thursday

Today’s final day of competition was cancelled across the conference, so while the regular season ends, the conference tournament is ready to kick off. It will be the final athletic events of the season for the PAC and only the top four teams in the standings are invited to the party. Top Seed and one-loss Washington & Jefferson is the odds-on favorite to repeat as champions and claim its fifth crown since 2013. The only team to beat the Presidents this season, a 4-3 loss to Chatham, won’t make the field. The main challenger is No. 2 seed is grove city, the only other PAC team with an above .500 record. Franciscan, meanwhile, will snag the third seed in its first season of PAC play, with Saint Vincent edging Bethany for the fourth and final seed. The Barons are led by junior third baseman Josh Costello, a former Steubenville Catholic Crusader and the No. 4 hitter in the PAC with a .426 average. Costello is also second in RBI with 41.

Weekly Conference Honors