District 11 Softball: Tri-Valley tops Marian in Class A final
Tri-Valley celebrates after winning its fifth straight District 11 Class A championship. The Bulldogs defeated Marian 15-0 on Tuesday night. (Photo by Bob Lipsky)
PINE GROVE — Tri-Valley’s players and coaches gathered for a photo at home plate on the Susan Y. Stump Field diamond.
Everyone held up one hand, all five fingers extended.
The Bulldogs’ drive for five was complete. Tri-Valley captured its fifth straight District 11 Class A softball championship Tuesday, rolling past Marian 15-0 in four innings.
The Dawgs (18-6) advance to the PIAA Tournament, which will begin Monday across the state. Their opponent will be the District 2 champion, either Holy Cross or Old Forge. Those two teams play in the District 2 final at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the University of Scranton.
“This is the fifth year in a row we’re playing in June,” Tri-Valley coach Marty Shade said. “It’s hard to do. People think it’s easy, but it’s hard to do. I’m proud that we’re (one of the) smallest schools in the county and we have the most kids out to play softball. We had 26 kids out. Some of these bigger schools are struggling. They don’t even have JV teams. I’m very happy with the program where it’s at. The credit goes to the girls. They work hard. They play travel ball. They want to win. Once you establish a winning program, girls want to be a part of that, and nobody wants to be the team that stops it.”
Kora Rodichok was the star of the game. The senior right-hander pitched a one-hit shutout, striking out 10 and walking just one. She changed speeds brilliantly, keeping the Marian hitters off-balance.
“We just wanted to stay positive as we’ve been doing all season,” Kora Rodichok said, “and we really pulled together, got hits like we needed and fielding, solid defense all around.
“I told (catcher) Lydia (Rodichok) before the game, ‘We’ve got to keep (the pitches) moving all around.’ They saw me twice already this season,” Kora Rodichok added. “This is the third time, so I knew they’d get on it, but we had to keep moving (the ball).”
At the plate, Kora Rodichok went 2-for-3 with a two-run double in the first inning and a two-run single in the third.
“I was really happy,” Kora Rodichok said. “My hitting is a little iffy sometimes, but I was really happy to get that. … I’m glad we could keep it going for the school, for everyone.”
Tri-Valley jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning. Cassi Snyder, who went 3-for-4 with a double, three runs scored and an RBI, started off with a bunt single. She stole second and scored when Mady Schwalm belted an RBI double to deep left for a quick 1-0 lead. Liv Witmer, who went 3-for-3 with four RBIs, singled home a run, and so did Lydia Rodichok. Kora Rodichok followed with a blast to the gap in right-center to drive in two more, and the Dawgs had a commanding lead.
“I’m proud of the seniors. They won four district titles in a row, and that’s as good as you can do,” Shade said. “The battle cry today was to not underestimate Marian. It’s still a game. Let’s jump on them early because they’re young and inexperienced. I thought the first inning we got it going.”
