McConnellsburg 22 Forbes Road 15

McConnellsburg 10 Forbes Road 4

Windber, Pa. Ask any athletic director you know, how their spring sports season is going, and it may not be a safe question. If their hair isn’t gray or they haven’t pulled it out, they will tell you this has been the worst Spring they can remember. With the District V deadline looming on May 19, a weather forecast for rain the last two days of the regular season, and a double header scheduled, the situation looked grim. Therefore, it took some innovative thinking to get the games in. That’s exactly what McConnellsburg Athletic Director Kenny Welsh came up with. A quick call to Forbes Road AD, Heidi O’Neal, and the Lady Spartans and Lady Cardinals were off to Iron Horse Sports Complex in Windber, Pa. for their double header. The county and league rivals got a unique opportunity to play at an all weather complex. Game one was played outside. When the rain came, they all moved inside to play game two. Forbes Road Athletic Director Heidi O’Neal commented, “This is a great opportunity for our girls.” McConnellsburg Athletic Director Kenny Welsh said, “While getting ready to work on the field this week, my assistant softball coach, Robert Koontz, and I started brainstorming and said there has to be something better. I was familiar with Iron Horse through my sons baseball tournaments so we called them up. After I saw it was doable, it was a goal of mine to give the softball teams an experience to remember. Hopefully, both teams enjoyed the experience; 51 runs, four and a half hours, and 60 miles from home.”

McConnellsburg (9-10) pounded out 20 hits in the first game of the double header and defeated Forbes Road (4-12) 22 to 15. Madison Koontz, Megan Fix, Maddy Ross, Destine Hall, and Kailey Swope all hit 3 in the win. Harlie Strait and Courtney Schoen led the Lady Cardinals with 3 hits each. Schoen also drove in 3 runs. Maddie Hays also had 3 hits including a double and drove in 3. Mara Broadwater added 2 hits. Lady Cardinals Coach Logan Barkman said,”It was a new surface for our players to be on, but the girls seem to enjoy the experience.” McConnellsburg Coach Dana Winters commented, “We had a lot of nice hits. The weather played a role in the pitching for both teams . Playing on the turf, the pitchers had to make adjustments with types of shoes .  Destine Hall was the winning pitcher.”

After the rain began, the teams moved inside and the Spartans downed the Cardinals 10 to 4. Kara Stiffler picked up the win. Destine Hall had three hits and Julia Lafferty has two. The Lady Cardinals were led by Brianna Waters with 3 hits, including 2 doubles and a single. Winters added, “We played this game indoors due to the rain and what a great experience this was for the girls. Thanks to both schools for making it happen.” Lady Cardinals Coach Logan Barkman commented, “It was an interesting experience since no one involved had ever played indoors. A big thank you to the managers of Iron Horse Sports for their hospitality and use of their facilities.”

The playoff pairings will be announced by District V Softball Chairman Brian Thompson after tomorrow’s seeding meeting.