RECAP >> Twice during the regular-season, Emmaus and Whitehall have battled through some epic softball games with both previous meetings going nine innings and each team winning once.
In the rubber match on Thursday in The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference quarterfinals, the two rivals once again staged a thriller as this time, there was no extra inning to determine a winner, but there was a come-from-behind victory by the Hornets that has them advancing on in the post-season.
No.3 seed Emmaus rallied twice from deficits of 2-0 and 3-1 in the early innings scoring all their runs in the middle innings as they defeated the sixth-seeded Zephyrs 4-3 at Kiwanis Field. The game was carried LIVE on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network.
The bottom of the Emmaus lineup came through as senior third baseman Sami Lilly drove in what proved to be the game-winning run as she delivered a two-out RBI single to left in the bottom of the fourth inning scoring junior Rachel Sherman from third base. Sherman’s triple to right field one batter earlier had tied the game at 3-3.
With the victory, the Hornets (17-4 overall) advance to next Monday’s semifinal at Pates Park in Allentown (4 p.m.) to take on rival Parkland, the No.2 seed, which shutout seventh-seeded Freedom 10-0. Emmaus and the Trojans have met twice this season with each team winning once. The winner will advance to the championship game on May 19 (5 p.m.) to take on either top-seed Northampton and fourth-seeded Becahi.
Junior pitcher Danika Barthol picked up the win in the circle for the Hornets as she tossed a complete-game. The hard-throwing righthander scattered six hits and struck out five and didn’t allow a run after giving up three runs through the first two innings.
For Whitehall (14-7) pitcher Kassie Aquino and first baseman Aubrey Steiner each had two hits. The Zephyrs dropped their fourth straight game.
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Emmaus 4, Whitehall 3
Wh – 210 000 0 – 3-6-2
Em – 101 200 x – 4-5-1
Kassie Aquino and Madison Lasko; Danika Barthol and Mason Roselli
2B – Bundra (W). 3B – Steiner (W), R. Sherman (E)
Em – Shayla Morgan 2-for-2, RBI