Duda’s hit helps lift Methacton past Perk Valley, 6-3

FAIRVIEW VILLAGE >> Methacton’s bats are starting to resemble the weather in the recent week.

Hot.

Methacton pounded out eight hits while Megan Stauffer delivered another exceptional effort in the circle as the Warriors validated their hot start with a 6-3 victory over Perkiomen Valley Monday afternoon.

The win is Methacton’s first over the Vikings since the PAC-10 semifinals in 2014. In their 0-2 record to PV last season, the Warriors were outscored 15-1.

Can’t say the same about this season.

“It’s amazing (getting this win),” Methacton’s Dani Duda said. “Last year we lost to them 11-1 and I think it crushed a lot of our confidence. We knew we weren’t a 10-run team. This year, we really, really wanted to go out and get it. We focused on our hitting, and against the No. 1 pitcher in the league, that’s what led us.”

Duda’s words reflected her actions Monday as the clean-up hitter came up with her biggest hit in the fifth inning, lacing a single to the outfield that brought home the eventual game-winning runs — Aubrey Seal and Stauffer — to kick start a four-run inning that all came with two outs.

“I’ve never been a No. 4 hitter my whole life so it’s been a transition for me to try and live up to that spot,” Duda said. “I knew I needed to go in there and get it done with two outs.”

Emily Kuberski knocked in Duda and Elizabeth Talbot to close out the scoring. Duda finished the day 1-for-3 along as did Kuberski, while Seal was a perfect 3-for-3 from the dish with a double. Paulina Lowery (who recently signed with the University of the Sciences) went 2-for-2 with a double to right-center field in the second inning before hitting a home run two innings later.

All of that proved to be sufficient for Stauffer as the senior righthander allowed eight hits, three runs (one earned) while striking out six. Stauffer’s efficiency was evident, throwing 70 of her 96 pitches for strikes.

Abby Wild led the Vikings with two hits as the Vikings held a 3-1 lead entering the bottom of the fourth. Jordan Sell finished with two RBI while Emily Oltman took the loss in the circle after allowing eight hits while striking out three.

In other games from the PAC-10: 

Owen J. Roberts 4, Pottsgrove 2 (F/8) >> The Wildcats rebounded from a long losing skid to top Pottsgrove in extra innings. Camryn Glenn finished the game 2-for-3 with two doubles while Brianna Smith finished 1-for-4 with three RBI, including the eventual game-winning runs as she knocked in Glenn and Emily Shaheen in the eighth.

Upper Perkiomen 5, Phoenixville 1 >> Olivia Young finished a homer shy of the cycle and Lynsey Quinn went the distance in the circle as the Tribe downed the Phantoms in PAC-10 play.

Young finished 4-for-4 with a pair of runs scored batting out of the leadoff spot while Sarah Heidler finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.

Quinn surrendered five hits, limiting Phoenixville to an unearned run and no walks while striking out three batters. Jess Eldridge took the loss, where she let five runs on 12 hits and a walk. She also finished with an RBI-double.