Krieman, Express Roll Early, Eventually Succumb to Greensburg in Tight 2-Game Set

GREENSBURG, PA - Express softball traveled to Greensburg on Friday for another 2-game set as the AMCC season rolled on. They had their moments, notably a flawless start in game 1, before eventually allowing a couple big innings by the Bobcats that caused them to drop both games by scores of 6-3 and 5-0. 

Although they didn't result in wins, both matchups were exciting and well-played by the Express. 

In game 1, first year pitcher Josie Krieman was near-untouchable in the circle. In the first 4 innings, she allowed only 2 hits, both of which were leadoff triples. Despite starting each inning off by allowing a Bobcat batter to reach 3rd, Krieman showcased pitching tactics that proved just how much of an escape artist she can be when she is firing on all cylinders. Immediately after each triple, Krieman retired the following 3 batters with ease, keeping the Bobcats off of the scoreboard in each inning and taking a shutout into the 6th inning. In the first 5 innings of game 1, Krieman managed to retire 15 of the 19 batters she faced, a powerful display of pitching perfection. 

Even though Krieman kept Greensburg dormant through 5 innings, the Wells bats were quiet too, as the game remained 0-0 until the 6th inning. In the top of the 6th, the Express came to life. 

A Bailey Friot single, followed by a Natalie Day walk set up first year difference-maker Taylor Robinson with a runner in scoring position and only 1 out in the inning. Robinson, almost exactly like she did last week against Mount Aloysius, calmly laced a rocket to the left-field fence, scoring Friot and launching the Express to a 1-0 lead. An Isabella Boissonnault sacrifice play paired with a Shayla Perez bloop single allowed the Express to secure a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the 6th.

Needing only 6 outs to take the first game, the Express saw their lead fade away due in large part to some savvy batting by the Bobcats. In the end, a 6-run 6th inning did the Express in, as despite keeping Greensburg scoreless in the other 5 frames, the 6th inning alone was enough for the Bobcats to snatch a win in game 1. 

Christa Koagel also had a noteworthy performance in game 1, going 2-for-3 and also getting it done in the field, snagging an absolute web-gem in the later stages of the game to halt the Bobcats momentum. You can find that spectacular play here: Link: Koagel Robs Bobcats With Diving Putout

Some other game 1 highlights:

Link: Taylor Robinson Clutch Double

Link: Shayla Perez RBI Single

In game 2 the Express were held in check by the Bobcats pitchers, being shutout despite managing to procure 6 hits in the contest. In the 2 games combined, the Express had a solid day, logging 14 hits and only being outhit by a slim margin with Greensburg having 15 hits. 

Krieman also achieved a remarkable feat, re-entering the circle in the 3rd inning of game 2. The high usage didn't slow her down one bit though, as she then went the remaining 4 innings of game 2 without allowing any runs and only a single hit. Krieman showed crazy composure for a first year, and also snagged 3 strikeouts in her 2nd appearance of the day.

Krieman's final line over the 2-game set: 9.2 innings pitched, 6 hits, 3 earned runs allowed, and 4 K's. She also only allowed the Bobcats to score in 1 of those 9.2 innings, an unbelievable performance for the first year from Raleigh, North Carolina.

Anna Bernatavitz also had a solid game 2 for the Express, going 2-for-3 and having some timely hits to set Wells up with some offensive opportunities. 

Up next for Wells is another AMCC doubleheader, this time against La Roche. They'll have a quick turnaround as they get geared up for the Saturday clash.

GO EXPRESS!!

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