Strong pitching can only do so much. In the Parkland softball team’s recent matchup with Emmaus, another solid outing by Ashlyn Hillanbrand was spoiled by fielding miscues and a cold offense, which was an issue early in the season, but had appeared to have been overcome when Parkland (6-3 overall, 5-2 EPC) scored 51 runs in four games.

Hillanbrand and Emmaus starter Danika Barthol matched each other pitch for pitch. Barthol, held the Trojans to six hits while striking out 10 batters in the game. Hillanbrand allowed just three hits.

“We just didn’t hit. That’s all there is to it,” said Parkland head coach Barry Search. “Their pitcher is good and she did a nice job, but our bats have been bad.”

The outcome was determined mostly by a few key plays.

Parkland left the bases loaded in the third and Emmaus (8-2, 6-1) put a runner in scoring position in the fourth and went on to then load the bases, only to strand all three runners on base. Hillanbrand set down seven straight batters coming into extra innings until Daria Krout reached on an error. One out later, Mason Roselli singled to left center field. Another error allowed Krout to come home and a third error in the inning allowed Roselli to score an insurance run, putting Emmaus up 2-0.

In the bottom of the eighth, Barthol, having retired six straight batters, put the Lady Trojans down in order again to preserve the shutout and get the win for Emmaus.

Parkland came close to getting a go-ahead run in the fifth when Jenna Piatkiewicz singled with two outs and then stole second ahead of a single to left center by Cassidy Sweeney. Piatkiewicz rounded third and raced toward the plate, but a strong throw from Shayla Morgan caught her at home to end the threat.

“Ashlyn pitched well for us, but we made some mistakes and they hurt us and that was the difference,” said Search.

Parkland rebounded quickly to get an 11-9 win over Freedom (5-4, 5-3) and a 5-0 win against Liberty (3-8, 3-5).

Against the Hurricanes, Piatkiewicz was on base three times with two doubles and a walk, driving in two and scoring one run.

Sweeney had a double and two singles to score two runs and Shana Gugliandolo and Lucia Ruimy both had two hits in the game. Brenna Zavecz, Corinne Bigley and Ruimy each collected two RBI.

In the win over Freedom, Parkland took advantage of three Patriots errors to score three unearned runs. They scattered six hits – all singles – to score two more in the win with Allison Hunsberger going 2-for-2.

The eighth inning runs by Emmaus snapped a scoreless inning streak for Hillanbrand at 27 1/3 innings. Hillanbrand stretched her streak of innings without allowing an earned run to 28 2/3 innings until Freedom broke through for a second-inning run.

The Trojans got some unwelcome news regarding senior first baseman Katie Gontkosky, who suffered a knee injury in the first game of the season. Gontkosky will miss her entire senior season due to the injury. Zavecz, a junior, has taken over the first base duties for the Lady Trojans.

“She’s such a good kid and it’s tough to see her have to miss her senior season,” said Search.