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Poland improves in loss to Jefferson
By STEVE WILAJ
POLAND
After striking out 17 times on Monday at Jefferson and given the same tall task of facing Falcons ace Alyssa Irons on Tuesday, Poland coach Matt Campbell delivered one main message to his team prior to the contest.
“We challenged them to come out with a new attitude — new day, new approach — and they executed that,” he said.
The Bulldogs fared much better than Monday’s nine-run drubbing, but still fell to Irons and Jefferson, 3-0, in an All-American Conference Red Tier matchup at Poland.
“We got a lot of positives out of this,” Campbell said. “Granted, you never want to lose, but you have to tip your cap to Jefferson (9-0, 6-0). They played well. But I’m proud of my team and how they competed today.”
Irons — who will continue her softball career at Hofstra next spring — tossed a no-hitter against Poland on Monday. She was dominant again on Tuesday, notching another complete-game shutout while allowing just two hits and striking out eight.
“Even with the win yesterday, I still had to come in firing,” Irons said. “You can’t take them lightly. They’re a good team. So I prepared the same for both days and just came out pitching hard.”
Poland (5-5) registered its first hit in the bottom of the fourth inning on Amanda Wire’s bunt single. Carlie Lattanzio had the only other hit an inning later.
“She’s a quality pitcher, but our approach at the plate was much better,” Campbell said. “We shortened the swings down and saw the ball better. But Irons is an excellent pitcher — one of the best, if not the best, that we’ll face all year. So you have to give her credit.”
Poland starter Kristyn Svetlak also deserves credit for her strong performance. She tossed all seven innings and allowed just three runs despite surrendering 12 hits.
The senior stranded the bases loaded in the first and fifth innings, left a Jefferson runner on third in the third inning and stranded two more runners in the seventh.
“They have a good, tough lineup, but Krysten definitely got out of a lot of battles and tough situations,” Campbell said. “Either she made a good pitch or the defense made a play.”
Added Jefferson coach Amy Durkovic: “Hats off to her to keep it a 3-0 ball game.”
The Falcons scored two runs on RBI singles by Sam Hamski, while Kaylee Fusco notched the other run-scoring hit. Hamski and Emily Smock finished with three hits each and Irons had two hits (including a double) — as did Fusco and Emily Sukalac.
“This was a frustrating game for us offensively,” Durkovic said. “We had a lot of opportunities, but had trouble scoring runners. The girls know that they have to get the job done — they have to get the ball in play when runners are in scoring position.”
Jefferson next plays Austintown Fitch for two games.
Meanwhile, Poland hosts Warren Harding today and travels to Barberton on Thursday before hosting Newton Falls on Friday and West Branch on Saturday.