Lady Flashes lock up playoff berth
Published 10:28 am Friday, April 10, 2015
Despite needing to sweep a doubleheader to clinch a playoff berth, there didn’t seem to be a lot of concern on the faces of St. Aloysius’ players on Thursday.
Once the games got under way, it was easy to see why.
Allie Willis hit a grand slam and Avery Parman pitched a three-inning perfect game as the Lady Flashes crushed Mount Olive 16-0 in the first game at Bazinsky Park.
Game two was more of the same, as St. Al defeated the winless Lady Pirates 14-0 to easily secure the third and final playoff berth in Division 7-1A.
“That’s the main thing, is we wanted to get it locked down and get in the play-in round,” said St. Al assistant coach Howard Park, whose team has lost three division games by a total of six runs. “Whoever plays us in the play-in round is going to be in for a surprise.”
There were no surprises Thursday.
Parman needed a total of 31 pitches to get through her three-inning perfect game. She struck out six and got plenty of run support.
Willis went 2-for-2 with a grand slam and five RBIs, and was one of five players who scored at least two runs. The Lady Flashes (7-7-1, 2-4 Division 7-1A) only had five hits, but drew 10 walks and took advantage of 16 errors by Mount Olive.
Mount Olive committed 12 errors in game two, which lasted just 1 1/2 innings before the Lady Pirates threw in the towel.
Mount Olive took the lead with a run in the top of the first, but it didn’t last long. Three errors and a passed ball in the bottom of the inning had St. Al ahead 2-1 after sending three batters to the plate.
Although the lopsided wins were good for morale, Park was hopeful that St. Al’s last three regular-season games provide a stiffer test.
“It just isn’t helping us hitting-wise,” Park said. “We’ve still got a couple of games left, and hopefully they’re competitive to get us ready for the playoffs.”