Hames fans 17 as Seneca Valley turns away North Allegheny
JACKSON TWP — North Allegheny softball coach Morgan Vescovi predicted that Seneca Valley’s Lexie Hames would be a force to reckon with last June.
On Wednesday, a little over nine months after the teams’ clash in the WPIAL Class 6A title game, the Raiders’ sophomore hurler demonstrated her prowess once again. Hames struck 17 batters out and came just two outs from a no-hitter as Seneca Valley turned away the visiting Tigers by a 2-0 decision.
It was her third time in the circle this week, following shutout wins against Pine-Richland on Monday and Norwin on Wednesday. She combined for 31 strikeouts in those two contests.
“Her focus today was unbelievable,” Raiders coach Marlesse Hames said of her daughter. “Coming in with three games in a row, she had to pitch a hard game against Norwin yesterday — full seven innings — (and) a hard day today — full seven innings.
“Those are two top-level teams. To keep that focus for 14 innings, that’s awesome ... She thrives off of that competition.”
North Allegheny’s McKenna Rowlands worked a walk on nine pitches to lead off in the top of the first, then Hames proceeded to sit 19 batters down in a row. During that stretch, only three Tigers (7-2) put the ball in play, two on bunts.
“I didn’t know how long I was going to make it,” Hames admitted, laughing. “I ended up doing good. It turned out okay.”
She was more concerned with pushing through than she was with a career milestone. The no-hitter was nowhere on her mind, not even when Sammy Plotsko tapped an infield single in the seventh frame.
“NA’s a really good team,” Hames said. “I know they have bats. They have really good players on their team and they’re always a good program. I was a little nervous coming in. After coming off of our (previous) two games, I knew that we were all kind of tired.
“I’m really proud of how we stepped up and the energy we brought.”
“I saw what we expected from her (Hames),” Vescovi said. “To the best of our ability — we were coming off of two other games this week — to prepare for her speed, her movement, her location ... I knew she was going to be a tough pitcher to hit.”
Seneca Valley (5-0) scored its two runs by way of an Anna Kalkowski double with two outs in the bottom of the third. The hit went over the center fielder’s head and pushed across Hames’ courtesy runner — freshman Emry Rice — and senior Mia Ryan.
“I think our girls are doing great,” Coach Hames said. “That’s a good pitcher. I thought we hit well today, we just hit at people. Fortunately, Anna came through on that double where we were able to score those runs.
“I tell our girls, ‘When we’re playing games like this, it’s not going to be a 10-0 or a 15-2 (score). It’s a dogfight. They’re a good team, we’re a good team.”
Hames was given three free passes on the day, one of which was intentional. Her reputation now proceeds her, not only at the dish, but in the circle.
“I realize teams approach (me) a little bit differently,” explained Hames, who plays national travel ball with the Lady Dukes. “They try to bunt a little bit more. Play small game. Their game plans changed a little bit ... It’s really hard living up to that reputation. Each year, these teams keep getting better.”
In four games, she’s totatled 73 strikeouts. Only Plum has managed a single run against her thus far.
“All winter, she was lifting, she was working to perfect some spins,” Coach Hames said. “I think her speed last year, people were surprised by that, I think not knowing her. This year, they know the speed, but we worked on ‘spin, spin, spin’ and just getting stronger.”
The two sides are scheduled to play again on April 28.
“That was a playoff-quality game,” Vescovi said. “The intensity was there. The nervous energy was there from both sides, because it was such a close game. I think, for the first time seeing them since last year, that’s a small thing that’s important to take away from the game today.”
North Allegheny 000 000 0 — 0 1 1
Seneca Valley 002 000 X — 2 4 0
W: Lexie Hames 7IP (17K, 1BB). L: Sammy Plotsko 6IP (6K, 4BB).
North Allegheny (7-2): Sammy Plotsko 1B
Seneca Valley (5-0): Mia Ryan 1B R, Neve Miller 1B, Kylie Staudt 1B, Anna Kalkowski 2B 2RBI, Lexie Hames R.
Tuesday: Seneca Valley at Mt. Lebanon
