During practice on Wednesday of the eve of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference playoffs, Emmaus coach Rich Giering did remind his players of what happened nearly a year ago to the date when Pleasant Valley came to town.
“Yesterday we talked about it, and I just wanted them to remember and the girls that were here last year remember what took place,” said the Hornets fourth year manager. “I told them that we just needed to bring the energy and that will be a big difference, and I think it was.”
Facing the same Bears team that came to Williams Street Field a year ago and stunned the Hornets with a 4-2 defeat in the opening-round, Emmaus wasn’t about to let history repeat itself.
Mari Eiswerth and her teammates made sure of it.
The sophomore standout pitcher tossed a brilliant one-hitter and was backed by an 11-hit effort from her teammates as top-seeded Emmaus defeated Pleasant Valley 6-1.
Eiswerth, a player who was double rostered a year ago, was dominant in the circle after giving up a first inning run as she settled down to hold the Bears hitless the rest of the way while striking out 14. The right-hander struck out at least two hitters in every inning in the complete-game win. For her efforts, she was named the Player of the Game on the Live broadcast on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network.
The victory advances Emmaus (18-3) to the semifinals on Monday at 7 p.m. at Pates Park where they will face fifth-seeded Nazareth who defeated fourth-seeded Whitehall 9-1. The other semifinal at 5 p.m. will pit No. 2 Liberty vs No. 3 Freedom.
After falling behind by a run early, the Hornets did all the scoring they would need in the third inning against Bears starting pitcher Kailyn Getz as they plated four runs on five hits. They added solo runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to pull away.
Senior right fielder Sophia Tranguch led the Emmaus hit parade with three hits and an RBI, while second baseman Sadie Haefeli was on base all four times with two hits and a pair of walks. Sophomore catcher Morgan Schwab also added a pair of hits and senior third baseman Avery DeFanti added a solo home run in the fifth inning, her fourth of the season.
“Everybody contributes in our lineup, it’s been that way all season,” said Giering.
Pleasant Valley’s lone hit of the game came in the top of the first inning when Getz reached first on a bunt single. The Bears would then score on a bases loaded walk with none out before Eiswerth escaped any further damage by striking out two of the next three hitters she faced.
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Emmaus 6, Pleasant Valley 1
PV – 100 000 0 – 1-1-1
Em – 004 011 x – 6-11-1
Kailyn Getz and Renee Frable; Mari Eiswerth and Morgan Schwab. HR – Em: Avery DeFanti (5th, none on)
PHOTO GALLERY – Courtesy of Tom Ashelman
