Because the scoreboard wasn't working properly, a temporary display panel was used on Thursday at Hempfield’s Robert D. Kalp Field.
However, Penn-Trafford caused some problems for the home team, making it the first tough game for the Spartans this season.
The Warriors, however, were not able to give them their first loss.
Hempfield won the nonsection softball game, 5-3, but the visiting Warriors put the defending WPIAL 6A champions to the test.
“It was close, but that’s a positive thing,” said Hempfield coach Tina Madison. “We will face challenges all year, and we're expecting it to be tough.”
Hempfield (3-0), the top team in 6A, had shut out North Allegheny (6-0) and Mt. Lebanon (8-0). However, 5A Penn-Trafford (2-2) managed to score against the Spartans and their ace junior pitcher Riley Miller.
Hempfield's 3-0 lead was reduced to 3-2 in the top of the third. As a result, Madison made an unusual pitching change, replacing Miller with sophomore Julia Varhola in the fifth.
Varhola kept the Warriors quiet after a rocky start, and the offense added two crucial runs from then on.
“Their middle order is very strong,” Madison said. “Riley is very dependable, but we wanted to give them a different look. It was a nonsection game, and it was a high-pressure situation. It was valuable experience for a sophomore. It all worked out.”
Varhola came in after junior Cam Ponko’s leadoff single in the fifth.
In the bottom of the inning, sophomore pinch-runner Audrey Semow headed for third on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Ella Berkebile. The throw was on time, but the ball came out of Youngo’s glove and Semow was safe.
Senior Maggie Howard then hit a two-out double, making it 4-2.
“I am always happy to go in for Riley,” said Varhola, who allowed one hit in 2 2/3 innings. “We got some hits and took off some of the pressure.
“This game will help us and make us push harder and work harder.”
Said Howard: “I have been looking for a big hit. I knew that was a good time to get it. My coaches told me just to relax and have fun.”
Hempfield took a 2-0 lead in the first on consecutive RBI singles by senior Emily Griffith and Berkebile. Sophomore Claire Mitchell’s double to deep right started the early charge.
It was 3-0 after Mitchell’s single followed an extra-base hit by junior Allie Cervola.
Penn-Trafford narrowed the gap to 3-2 with two runs in the third. With two outs, juniors Giuliana Youngo and Kylie Anthony had run-scoring singles off of Miller.
Senior Sarah Podkul opened the sixth with a single and eventually scored on a wild pitch for a 5-2 lead.
“In the fourth inning I told the girls, ‘Don’t look now, but we’re in the game,’” Penn-Trafford assistant coach Mike Cleland said. “I think we left six in scoring position. Hats off to their pitcher. They are the best team in 6A for a reason.
“We did give them a challenge. This is good for our confidence, even though we lost.”
Cleland filled in for head coach Denny Little, who was out of town.
The Warriors got another point in the seventh because of a mistake.
Miller's record improved to 3-0, with seven strikeouts and one walk. She spread seven hits.
Madison mentioned, “We didn't take advantage of seven opportunities to score,” “That’s not good. We need to improve our offense. Our defense is really strong right now, and that’s a positive thing.”
Mitchell and Howard each had a 2 for 3 performance for the Spartans.
Both Ponko and Anthony got two hits for Penn-Trafford.
Freshman Allyson Paulone was defeated, giving up eight hits over six innings.
