In the top of the third inning Valley View shortstop Liz Aniska made a nice leaping catch to keep her Lady Cougars in check at 0-0 against Big Spring High School in the AAA State Softball Championship game.
It was Gina Chiefallo who then returned the favor with two big strikeouts in that third inning.
The top of the 4th more of the same story from Chiefallo and more strikeouts.
Then in the bottom of the 4th inning Valley View scored the first run of the game.
Anna McElroy hit a double. Sara Miraglia singled. Then Blayse Cholish with a bunt base-hit scoring courtesy runner Kelly Mecca.
With a 1-0 lead Valley View moved into the seventh inning. It was the Big Spring bats that came alive. First Taylor Mansfield doubled, then with two outs and two strikes to Brittany Wagner she hit a shot heard around Beard Field at Penn State University. Her double went all the way to wall in left plating Mansfield and we had a tie game.
Later in the inning Big Spring scored on a Valley View throwing error to pull ahead 2-1.
In the bottom of the seventh inning Valley View loaded the bases with three walks.
With Gina Coccetti on third the Big Spring relief pitcher unloaded a wild pitch. Coccetti broke for home. The Bulldogs scrambled to get the ball and get Coccetti before she could tie the game. On a close play at the plate in the bottom of the seventh Coccetti called out by the home plate umpire and Valley View's season over losing to Big Spring 2-1.
The Lady Cougars end their season with an overall record of 21-1 and finish at the state runner-up.