DIVISION I SOFTBALL Howland outlasts Fitch

It took 11 innings before the Tigers came out victorious.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HOWLAND -- As the Division I tournament game between Howland and Austintown Fitch progressed, the predictably tight matchup began to unfold.
During the regular season, the teams split a doubleheader and after only one inning it was obvious the starting pitchers were in top form.
It became evident that seven innings wouldn't be enough to settle the sectional championship game at Howland Township Park.
It took 11 innings before Howland prevailed, 3-1, advancing to a district semifinal Monday against Garfield Heights at Boardman's Fields of Dreams.
"We knew that this would be a close game," said Howland coach Brian Earich. "But no one dreamed it would come down to 11 innings.
"The pitching by both teams was outstanding," Earich said. "I don't know how many strikeouts [both pitchers] had, but there weren't many hit balls and if they were hit, they weren't hit very hard."
Pitching duel
Howland's Barbie Lewis struck out 13, while Fitch's Jen Purnell fanned 10.
Through the first nine innings, the Tigers (16-4) managed just three hits, while Fitch had four, although neither team could score a run.
It wasn't until the top of the 11th that the Tigers scored the go-ahead run.
Starting with the 10th inning, the rules defer to international play, with a runner placed at second base to start the inning.
Howland managed to get runners on first and third base with one out in the 11th when senior Kim Moore blasted a double to left, scoring Amy Cornicelli.
"It was the best hit ball of the game and it couldn't have come at a better time," said Earich.
Scored on wild pitch
The Tigers added an insurance run on a wild pitch, then Lewis set down the Falcons in order.
"We played tough," said Fitch coach Tina Kinnick. "We continued to fight back from some tough spots."
In the 10th, Howland's Allison Post scored on a bunt single by Darcy Quinlan.
Fitch (9-14) countered in the bottom of the 10th on bunt sacrifice by Bre Alleman that scored Shannon McGlynn with the tying run. McGlynn beat a close throw home after colliding with Howland catcher Kristina Ferenac and tagging the plate with her hand.