A GRAND OLD TIME
SHICKSHINNY — Northwest didn’t want hitters staying in the box long knowing Carbondale pitcher Sophia Calzola liked to work ahead in the count.
The aggressiveness worked, striking for four extra-base hits — none bigger than Alaina Carle’s grand slam — in the Rangers’ 7-6 quarterfinal win
Northwest (10-9) travels to Elk Lake (15-1), which was awarded a first-round bye, in a District 2 Class 2A semifinal Wednesday.
With the game tied at three in the fourth inning, Northwest took advantage of two early infield errors. The defensive blemishes allowed Sara Swartz and Amanda Cheslaw to reach base. Maggie Miller then loaded the bases with a single up the middle to set the scene for Carle.
The cleanup hitter practiced what the Rangers were preaching, promptly clearing the bases on the first pitch of the at-bat and disposing the ball to center.
“Honestly, I was just looking to make contact,” Carle said. “I was very happy and blessed to be able to do that. ... Just going into that at-bat, I just wanted to go up with a clear mind and not have too high of expectations because that could lead to a disaster.”
Crisis averted as Carle finished 4-for-4 with four RBIs, a stolen base and two runs scored.
Her round-tripper knocked Calzola from the circle on 80 pitches. The Rangers averaged less than four pitches an at-bat, working a three-ball count three times. They also worked two walks in 23 at-bats against the starter.
Carle wasn’t the only one feeling grand about that swing.
“My concern up to that point was we were stranding too many base runners, and that usually comes back to bite you,” Harvey said of the Rangers, who left five on base, three in scoring position in the first three innings. “There’s nobody we want in the box in that situation more than Alaina. She’s clutch and set the single-season RBI record today with that home run. What a hit. Hopefully, we keep that rolling.”
The Chargers (3-16) broke onto the scene with a bang of their own. With two away in the first, Carbondale’s clean-up hitter Julia Gorel unloaded a two-run home run to center. It scored Madison Heenan, who worked a walk to start the contest.
Northwest didn’t fret about having to face an early deficit.
“We were telling them it was only two runs, and to get back out there and score some runs of our own,” Harvey said. “We did just that, scoring three in the first which set the tone.”
Messaged received, and fast.
Aleigha Parnell cut the lead in half with a leadoff home run in the home half of the first. Her long ball also went to centerfield.
“We’ve been waiting for her all year to hit that,” Harvey said. “Normally, she has a few by year’s end, but today was her first. It was good timing from her.”
Then with one out, the Rangers capitalized on an infield error — allowing Miller to reach — and single by Carle. They both scored on Charleigh Miner’s double to right-center, taking a 3-2 lead.
Miner finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a stolen base. She also flashed her leather, turning two good line drives into outs.
“What a defensive effort from Charleigh today,” Harvey said. “It was absolutely amazing considering we shifted her to shortstop three games ago. To settle in and make those plays, those are game savers.”
Good thing, too, since Rangers starter Parnell needed the defense behind her. She recorded two strikeouts on 125 pitches. She also walked two.
The Chargers never regained the lead, but they managed to tie it in the third. Gorel reached via a walk and scored thanks in large to two Northwest errors.
They also struck for the game’s last three runs — two of those coming in the fifth. The Chargers struck for four hits off Parnell in the frame. Ashley Escott drove in Gorel, who reached on a fielder’s choice, on a single to center. Escott also played a role in getting Ellie Higdon to score, drawing the attention of the Rangers when she was well off second base.
Gorel accounted for the final run, hitting a leadoff home run to center in the seventh inning. Harvey and the Rangers will take that scenario every time when working with a late, slim lead.
“We talked when their three-hitter was up that I pray we get [Gorel] in the [seventh] inning,” he said. “I would have walked her to load the bases. Thank goodness, we could pitch to her with the bases empty and the home run didn’t hurt us.”
Gorel finished 2-for-3 with two home runs, three RBIs and four runs scored.
After a roller coaster of a game, and season up to this point, Carle hopes the mentality the Rangers had Monday carries over to the semifinals.
“We had a really good attitude today. It was actually the best attitude we’ve had all season,” Carle said. “I think that’s what helped us pull through today.”
Carbondale 201 020 1 — 6 10 4
Northwest 300 400 x — 7 9 3
Sophia Calzola, Madison Kelsch (4) and Elli Higdon. Aleigha Parnell and Amanda Cheslaw.
W — Parnell. L — Calzola.
Top hitters: Carbondale — Madison Heenan, 1-3, double, run; Julia Gorel, 2-3, home run, 3 RBIs, 4 runs; Ashley Escott, 2-4, double, RBI; Audrey Cobb, 2-4. Northwest — Parnell, 1-3, home run, RBI, run; Alaina Carle, 4-4, home run, 4 RBIs, 2 runs, SB; Charleigh Miner, 2-3, double, 2 RBIs, SB; Kaya Pickering, 1-1, double.
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