District 11 4A softball: Much more of a struggle than expected for LVC teams

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER

My thinking was that the LVC would sweep its five games against teams from other leagues today in the first round of the District 11 4A tournament, and at least three of the five games would be lopsided.

Well, it didn't happen.

The LVC only went 3-2 and even the three wins were much closer than expected.

Here's a recap:

No. 9 Stroudsburg routed No. 8 Whitehall 9-2 and will advance to play No. 1 Pleasant Valley.

Stroudsburg 000 040 5 — 9 11 2

Whitehall      000 002 0 — 2 5 3

M. Liedberg and Kern; Emery, Stephens (5), Emery (7) and Bortz. Notes: S, K. Liedberg, Kalista Gioglio, Madison Pizzo 2 hits; W, Madison Kelly 2 hits. Recs: S (16-7), W (11-10).

No. 6 Emmaus got a four-hit shutout, but never really exploded in a 3-0 win over No. 11 Pocono Mountain East. The Green Hornets will play No. 3 Parkland on Thursday.

PM East  000 000 0 --  0 4 3

Emmaus  000 030 x -- 3 6 1

Beyers and Biathwarte; Marcks and Natiello. REC: PME: 8-11; E: 16-7.
NOTES: E: Olivia Marcks four-hit shutout, 11 Ks; Franni Schaeffer 2-3, 2 RBIs; Miryah Palko 2-3, R. PME: Nicole Bartron  2-3.

No. 4 Freedom hangs on to get a third meeting with city rival Liberty in Thursday's quarterfinals.

E.S. South 000 200 0  -- 2

Freedom   101 100 x -- 3

 ESS: Nicole Fryer 2-4 RBI; F: Morgan Lukievics 1-2 RBI, Carly Deichman 2-3.

Last year's District 11 3A champ Pottsville stays alive in the 4A tournament and will get a crack at No. 2 seed  Northampton on Thursday.

Pottsville 000 120 2 -- 5 9 4

Nazareth 000 020 0 -- 2 4 2

Defending 4A champ Liberty, seeded No. 4, survives behind the power of Emily Cecchini and Mariah Kondravy and sets up an all-Bethlehem meeting on Thursday.

Bangor 200 000 0  -- 2 7 1

Liberty 002 213 0 -- 8 9 1

Happel and Smith; Renner, Epsaro (6) and Malek. WP: Renner. HR: LIB: Cecchini (5th, 0 on), Kondravy (6th, 0 on). REC: B: 10-11; LIB: 14-7.
NOTES: LIB: Mariah Kondravy 2-3, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI; Emily Cecchini 2-3, 2 R, HR, 2 RBIs.