By Joseph Bell
Ridgway Record Staff

Elk County Catholic easily defeated Ridgway yesterday afternoon after a 15-0 one-hit shutout by Lady Crusader sophomore pitcher Lauren Evers at Francis S. Grandinetti Elementary School.

Evers, who gave up a two-out double to Ridgway infielder Brittany Biondi in the first inning, struck out eight batters in the four-inning game.

Elk County Catholic girls' softball coach Dr. Joe Coroso said Evers pitches most games for the Lady Crusaders.

"Marissa Bauer pitched yesterday against Johnsonburg," Coroso said. "Normally, I wouldn't put her (Evers) in against Ridgway but we have Sheffield away on Monday, Brockway on Tuesday and Curwensville on Wednesday."

In addition to delivering on the mound, Evers also went 2-for-2 with 3 RBI at the plate, including a double in the top of the fourth inning to score first baseman Katherine Porter from second base, giving the Lady Crusaders the 15-run lead to end the game early.

Coroso's top three hitters, left fielder Anna Hawkins, third baseman Brittany Buchheit and catcher Loren Olewnik went a combined 4-for-8 at the plate and drove in six runs.

Examining that statistic, Coroso said his top three hitters fared well against Ridgway sophomore pitcher Andrea Redmond.

"But we didn't get a single hit or run when we had the bases loaded in the first inning," Coroso said. "But I do think we're a good hitting team."

In regards to the scoreless first inning, Coroso said his team may have been overconfident coming into the game.

"They came in, and since we beat them before, we have been overconfident," Coroso said. "We may have been lackadaisical but we settled down and got the win."

Despite not scoring any runs in the first inning, Elk County Catholic scored three unearned runs in the top of the second inning on consecutive bases loaded walks and a dead ball on a first-pitch strike. The ball struck Ridgway junior catcher Emily Mitchell and rolled into the dugout.

However, the Lady Crusaders' big inning came in the top of the third inning as the team rattled off eight runs against Ridgway.

Hawkins drove home two runners after a double to make it 6-0. Later in the inning, a one-out double by Evers scored right fielder Mary Kate Minnick and second baseman Kelsey Schwabenbauer to give the Lady Crusaders a commanding lead, 11-0.

Evers would go on to strike out the side in the bottom of the third inning.

According to Coroso, Evers worked out a few kinks before and during the game.

"She was working on parts of her motion and control but she finished well," Coroso said.

Evers finished with eight strikeouts and three walks.

"She usually pitches well and she's our No. 1 pitcher," Coroso said. "She had a four-hitter versus Punxsutawney also."

Coroso also commented on his team's defensive efforts.

"Katherine Porter had a nice diving catch at first base in the last inning," Coroso said.

Porter made the diving grab on a one-out line drive by Ridgway second baseman Tiffany Krise in the bottom of the fourth.

Coroso said his team prides themselves on defense.

"We had gone through four, five games without an error," Coroso said. "We can hit but I think we could be hitting better overall but it'll finally click."

Coroso lost seven seniors to graduation last year.

"We have one returning starter and we had a senior-dominant team last year," Coroso said. "We started with 11 juniors and have a freshman in left field but we're working towards consistency and everybody's on the same page with what we're teaching."

And with a 14-3 record, Coroso said he will take that mark anyday.

"Some may have believed that we're in a rebuilding year, but we don't use the 'R' word. It's a reloading year for us," Coroso said.

"And as we get into the district playoffs here pretty soon, pitching is very important and we'll be seeing some excellent pitching."

Elk Catholic, now 13-4, travels to Sheffield Monday for a 4:15 p.m. game.