Serra Catholic overpowers Greensburg Central Catholic in Section 2-2A softball

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 | 7:58 PM

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Kelly Morrisey has been looking to contribute more to the Serra Catholic softball batting order, but the sophomore said she fell into a lull of late.

A bump-up from the No. 6 spot to No. 3 in the lineup has done wonders for her confidence and has her barreling the ball again.

A PIAA-qualifying swimmer, Morrisey made a splash Wednesday at Greensburg Central Catholic, going 4 for 4 with two doubles and six RBIs as No. 2 Serra Catholic wrecked the Centurions, 15-1, in a Section 2-2A game shortened to five innings by the 10-run rule.

The Eagles (5-1, 4-0) have won five in a row and are averaging more than eight runs a game.

“I was in a little slump, but I am a lot more confident moving up to (No. 3),” Morrisey said. “We came out really aggressive and kept everything up.”

GCC (2-2, 2-2) had won two in a row but fell into an early hole and spent the afternoon trying to climb out of it.

Serra Catholic loaded the bases in the first three innings and kept the base paths moving. It scored five in the first inning, six in the third and four in the fourth.

Morrisey opened the floodgates with a run-scoring single, which was followed by another from Madisyn Zigarovich. Maria Goldstein doubled, and Keyara Watkins followed with a three-run double for a 5-0 lead.

Morrisey’s three-run double to the gap made it 8-1 in the third. Her two-run double in the fourth had the Eagles in front 13-1.

“Kelly has been very close lately,” Serra Catholic coach Denny Willaman said. “She made a few adjustments, and it is working out for her.”

Watkins finished with four RBIs during a 3-for-4 day, while Zigarovich was 3 for 4 with two RBIs.

Ava Wiesnewski and Goldstein had two hits each, with Goldstein adding two RBIs.

GCC used two pitchers, but neither could gain any traction.

“(Serra) is a good team. They’re fast, and they were crushing it,” GCC first-year coach Chelsey Frock said. “We couldn’t hit back. We have better bats than that.”

Zigarovich was the winning pitcher, scattering five hits.

Sophomore Delanie Kuhns went 2 for 2 with a double for the Centurions.

Serra Catholic lost six starters from last year’s section title-winning team.

“We’re so young,” Willaman said. “I have a basketball player in right field (Cate Clarke) and seven freshmen. We knew we’d have strong pitching with Madisyn. Kelly is a good pitcher, too. But (overall), this is all a huge surprise.”

GCC is scheduled to host a doubleheader Friday against Ellis School.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Serra Catholic