Hailey Obenrader allows one hit in Saegertown's championship win
· Yahoo Sports
ERIE — The Saegertown softball battled in the District 10 Class 2A championship game at Penn State Behrend on Monday. Thanks to a one hit effort on the mound from Hailey Obenrader, the Panthers captured the title 4-0 over Wilmington.
"I tried to preach to these girls that it's not easy to win the D10 [championship]. This is my 17th year of coaching and it's my first win," Saegertown head coach Derek Peterman said "So, this is something that they've got to enjoy. These things aren't given, they are earned."
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Saegertown started its championship efforts on the right foot. Hailey Obenrader had an impressive first inning. At the top of the first, she struck out the first three Wilmington batters. She then led off the batting rotation for the Panthers, earning a walk.
Once on base, Hailey Obenrader stole second and third, before running home on a sacrifice fly to right field that was hit by Tori Obenrader.
"She's been our go-getter, our stud, offensively and defensively all year," Peterman said. "A lot of these girls look up to her, so if she sets the tone, usually we're good."
Hailey Obenrader sustained the Panthers' tone with nine straight strikeouts into the top of the fourth. Hailey Obenrader ended the game with 15 strikeouts on the mound.
"I believe that, even if I don't strike people out, my defense is going to stay behind me and get the outs. So, that really helps," Hailey Obenrader said.
After Hailey Obenrader scored, Saegertown got good looks, but could not convert. Miley Manning, Hailey Obenrader and Mackenzie Brauen all got on base through the fourth inning.
After ending the top of the fifth inning up 1-0, the Panthers finally got back on the scoreboard.
Chloe Swanson, Hailey Obenrader and Myla Miller got Saegertown into a bases loaded situation. On her second sacrifice fly of the game, Tori Obenrader put home Swanson, allowing Hailey Obenrader and Miller to advance.
With two outs in the inning, Brauen came up to bat. She hit a ground ball that caused the Greyhounds to error, driving in both Hailey Obenrader and Miller for the 4-0 lead.
"We had a couple of good batters get on right away. We preach to them that, when they get up there and there's runners in scoring position, it's not about themselves, we just have to get the ball in play," Peterman said. "The little things are going to add up in these games and we were able to take advantage of it."
Saegertown's 4-0 lead held for the rest of the game and after one last Wilmington batter went out swinging, the celebration began.
"I feel awesome, we all feel awesome. We were working really hard for it," Hailey Obenrader said.
The team piled onto each other, before being handed the Class 2A trophy.
The team now gets a few days off before taking on the third seed from District 7 in the state tournament.
"We have to have momentum. We know it's not going to be an easy ride. We play District 7 and they're good all around," Peterman said. "We'll be prepared. We have a week [to get prepared] and we're going to give it our best shot to keep this going."
The PIAA has not announced a date or time for the first round game.
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Wilmington (0)
(AB-R-H-RBI) Harlan 3-0-0-0, Baney 3-0-0-0, Leishman 3-0-0-0, Sikorski 3-0-0-0, Maynard 2-0-0-0, Dunn 2-0-0-0, Coast 2-0-0-0, Settle 2-0-1-0, Rich 1-0-0-0, Morris 1-0-0-0.
Saegertown (4)
(AB-R-H-RBI) H. Obenrader 2-2-2-0, Miller 3-1-1-0, T. Obenrader 1-0-0-2, Price 3-0-1-0, Brauen 3-0-0-0, Manning 3-0-1-0, McGill 3-0-0-0, Swanson 3-1-1-0.
Wilmington 000 000 0 — 0 1 3
Saegertown 100 030 x — 4 6 0
BATTING
2B: S — Price.
PITCHING
(IP-H-R-ER-BB-SO) W — Maynard 4-6-3-1-1-6, Leishman 2-0-1-0-0-3; S — H. Obenrader 7-1-0-0-2-15.