The bad news is that the Tyrone Lady Eagles lost at home to Philipsburg 9-3 in the quarterfinals of the PIAA playoffs on May 20, but the good news is that they returned to the playoffs for the first time in six seasons, and hosted their first playoff game in 26 years.
Second-year head coach Hillary Soellner is pleased with her team’s progress.
“Making it back to the playoffs is big for our program. This is where we want to be every year, so getting postseason experience is invaluable. Hosting a playoff game is a huge accomplishment for our team,” said Soellner.
The girls started the season strong, winning two of their first three games, an 8-7 win against Bald Eagle, a slug-fest 16-13 win over Clearfield, and a 10-3 loss to Bellefonte.
After several postponements due to rain and cold, the girls went into a mid-season slump, losing five of their next six games, with losses to Central, West Branch, Chestnut Ridge, Bellefonte, and Central Mountain.
The girls got back on track with a four-game winning streak, starting with a 10-5 Backyard Brawl win against their rivals Bellwood, along with two wins against Hollidaysburg and one at Johnstown.
Hosting a playoff game for the first time in 26 years was a big accomplishment for the Lady Eagles and a sign that good things are happening for the Lady Eagles.
Key wins this season included beating Bald Eagle, the defending state champions, and Huntingdon because they are always a solid team.
Tyrone’s ace pitcher was freshman Kaitlyn Rockwell who ended the season with 128 strikeouts.
Their strongest hitters were seniors Allison Beeman and KK Brodzina.
Tyrone’s best fielders included outfielder Allison Beeman, and infielders KK Brodzina, Sam Shaw, Kaitlyn Rockwell, and Amariah Sprankle.
The Tyrone Lady Eagles had only three seniors this year, Allison Beeman, KK Brodzina, and Tiffanie Tuskovich. These girls were not just good softball players, they also taught the underclassmen how to play to their best potential.
“[The seniors] were our catalysts all year and set the example to follow,” Soellner said. “They will be sorely missed. We wish them the best, but it’s going to be tough losing them. They each brought something different to the team.”
Next year the Tyrone Lady Eagles will get some talented freshmen coming up to complement the young core of talent that they have now. They hope to return to the playoffs next season and contend for a district title.
BOX SCORE
PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA (9): Havens 3b 523, Vaughn 2b 400, Gustkey c 412, Bizzarri p 403, Pitts cr 020, Bush cf 422, Barnett lf 412, Hampton ss 401, Burns 1b 200, Muir dp 401, Fleck rf-flex 000, Conklin rf 010. Totals–35-9-14.
TYRONE (3): Brodzina 2b 401, Beeman cf 401, Sprankle ss 400, Shaw 3b 300, Dibert 1b 300, Rockwell p 300, Fogelman c 110, Naylor cr 010, Tuskovich lf 311, McNelis dp 301, Harper rf-flex 000. Totals–28-3-4.
SCORE BY INNINGS
Philipsburg-Osceola 101 231 1 — 9 14 3
Tyrone 000 020 1 — 3 4 3
E–Hampton 2, Havens, Harper, Dibert, Shaw. 2B–Tuskovich, Havens, Barnett. RBI–McNelis 2, Barnett 2, Gustkey, Bizzarri, Hampton, Muir. WP–Bizzarri. LP–Rockwell. SO–Bizzarri 4, Rockwell 4. BB–Bizzarri 1, Rockwell 2.
Records: Philipsburg-Osceola (12-8); Tyrone (11-9)
