Survive and advance.
At this time of the year, that’s what it’s all about.
Top-seeded Emmaus did just that in their Eastern Pennsylvania Conference quarterfinal on Thursday afternoon at Williams Street Field against eighth-seeded Liberty as the Hornets hung on for a 3-2 victory.
The one-run win advances head coach Rich Giering’s team, 18-3 overall and winners of nine straight, to the semifinals on Monday at 7 p.m. at Pates Park against fourth seeded Stroudsburg,which shutout fifth-seeded Nazareth 5-0. The other semifinal at 5 p.m. will pit second seeded Freedom vs third seeded Northampton.
Senior first baseman Abby Derr drove in all three runs for the Hornets delivering a two-run double in the third inning. She also knocked in what proved to be the game-winning run in the fifth on a fielder’s choice.
Pitcher Mari Eiswerth was outstanding in going the distance in the circle allowing just two hits while striking out eight. The junior carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before opposing pitcher Addy Smith singled to center field. Liberty then avoided the shutout as senior Leah Onia hit a two-run home run to left field to get the Hurricane to 3-2. That, however, would be the closest the visitors would get as Eiswerth struck out the next three batters to end the game.
Derr led the Emmaus offense going 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBI.
Smith was the tough luck loser for Liberty on the mound allowing just three runs on six hits while striking out seven.
The Hurricane dropped its fourth straight game as they fell to 10-10 on the season. Up next will be the District XI playoffs.
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Emmaus 3, Liberty 2
Lib – 000 000 2 -2-2-0
Em – 002 010 x -3-6-0
Addy Smith and Brooke Doncsecz; Mari Eiswerth and Julia DeFanti. HR – Lib: Leah Onia (7th, one on)