Everett blanks Windber to repeat as District 5 Class 2A champs
BEDFORD ― Everett hurler Olivia Hillegas was magnificent in a 15-0, four-inning triumph over Windber in the District 5 Class 2A softball championship game on Wednesday at Bedford High School.
The senior stalwart only allowed two balls in play, notching 10 strikeouts in a perfect game. The Indiana University of Pennsylvania recruit had the Ramblers off balance all game. Hillegas has been pitching with extra motivation the past two seasons.
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"Two years ago, we came out and lost here. That was my driving factor for the past two years knowing that I hated the way that I felt that year," said Hillegas. "I came out with a purpose the past two seasons, knowing this is our field and we're going to win."
Hillegas helped her cause with a sac fly in the first and a 2-run single in the second. Leadoff hitter Cloe Price led the Warriors with six RBIs, including an inside-the-park grand slam and a 2-run triple to close the game.
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The defending champion Warriors tallied four runs in the second, five in the third and five in the fourth. Top to bottom, Everett can produce at the plate. Hillegas is hoping that will carry the team deep into the state playoffs.
"Last year, we made it to the Elite 8. I am just super excited to see where the rest of the season will take us," Hillegas said.
Everett (21-0) will take on either Neshannock or Laurel in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A playoffs on Monday.
Future bright for Windber
Windber wrapped up the season with an 11-9 mark. The Ramblers will lose two talented senior starters in centerfielder Lexi James and right fielder Lindsey Custer.
Playing in a title game with only two seniors is an experience the Ramblers will be able to use as building blocks for the future.
"Looking at the stats from them, hearing people talk, we knew Everett was a very good team," said Windber coach Kayla McMunn. "Obviously, going into this, we knew that. You got to hand it to them. They have an excellent pitcher.
"The message throughout the week after Tussey (Mountain) was that we got this far, everything was bonus. People didn't expect us to get this far this season. This was huge."
Windber has a bevy of talented athletes returning and will likely challenge for a championship once again next season.
"Being a young team, we have a lot to look forward to next season," McMunn said. "We're excited for years to come. Lots of good athletes coming in from eighth grade down. We're going to be losing two, but also gaining two. We have the majority of the girls back which will definitely help us next year, and definitely something to build from."
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Everett stays perfect with rout of Windber in District 5-2A title game
