By:
Monday, May 6, 2024 | 9:08 PM
Mike Darnay | Mon Valley Independent
Frazier pitcher Addison Hiles smiles after recording a strikeout against Jeannette on Monday, May 6, 2024.
Mike Darnay | Mon Valley Independent
Frazier’s Grace Pokobla slides home ahead of the tag of Jeannette catcher Addasyn Stout on Monday, May 6, 2024.
Mike Darnay | Mon Valley Independent
Frazier players celebrate a catch by outfielder Madelyn Salisbury (right) against Jeannette on Monday, May 6, 2024.
Mike Darnay | Mon Valley Independent
Jeannette pitcher Grace Stein delivers against Frazier on Monday, May 6, 2024.
In a thrilling showdown between two softball powerhouses, Frazier emerged victorious over Jeannette, 1-0, on Monday. The win secured the Commodores the section title, propelling them into sole possession of first place.
Both pitchers showcased their dominance, making quick work of opposing lineups. The Jayhawks’ Grace Stein struck out 15 and allowed only two hits and an unearned run in six innings. She also was the only Jeannette player to get a hit in the game.
“Against Frazier, that’s unreal,” Jeannette coach Tubby Stein said. “She did a heck of a job today. I told her she had to step it up. She had a lot of strikeouts last time we played against them, so we knew their coach would have a different approach seeing as she’s hard to hit off of.
“I’m proud of all these girls, though. This is what we want. We want to play some tougher teams going into the playoffs so they know what they’re going to see, cause it’s just going to get tougher from here on out.”
On the opposite side, Frazier’s Addison Hiles crafted the shutout, giving up only one hit and striking out 14. And she’s only a freshman.
“It starts with her,” Frazier coach Don Hartman said. “She really has had a tremendous freshman year. She’s been huge in all of our games, and she was huge today. She never cracked under pressure, and just dominated the strike zone.”
The lone run of the game came in the bottom of the second inning, with Frazier’s Grace Polkabla hitting a stand-up double for her team’s first hit. Polkabla then seized an opportunity to steal third as a pitch veered into the dirt. A swift throw from Jeannette catcher Addasyn Stout sailed over the third baseman’s head, allowing Polkabla to dart home and secure the decisive run.
“On that play at third, I was just hoping that with two outs, maybe they’ll throw it away if we get aggressive,” said Hartman. “I took a gamble there, and it worked out for us.
“They really exceeded my expectations this year, and I’m not down playing these girls. At one point in the season, we only had seven girls. I didn’t even know if we were going to have a team this year. I had to get a couple volleyball players to come out to make a roster, and they ended up really helping me out.
“All in all, I got 11 girls, and I love them all. They give me their heart and soul every day, they work hard and they deserve this. This is their fourth section title in a row now, and their sixth in the last seven years.”
