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Valley West baseball falls in state quarterfinals

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Court: No right to carry concealed weapons in public

<p>ALLENTOWN &#8212; Really, it doesn&#8217;t much matter to Meghan Armstrong where she&#8217;s slotted in Holy Redeemer&#8217;s potent batting order.</p><p>The most important thing to her is she&#8217;s hitting.</p><p>&#8220;I think we see that all throughout the lineup,&#8221; Armstrong said. &#8220;We&#8217;re all getting hits. It&#8217;s not really the spot where you hit, it&#8217;s what you do when you get to bat.&#8221;</p><p>She did plenty Thursday.</p><p>Swinging from the No. 8 hole in the order, Armstrong delivered two early clutch hits to drive home three runs, Tiana Wren scored twice and the defending PIAA champion Royals rolled past Kutztown, 7-1 and back into the state semifinals.</p><p>Allyson Laiuvara polished things off with a two-run double in the sixth inning, ensuring 23-3 Holy Redeemer earned a meeting with District 11 champion Pine Grove in a state semifinal Monday at a time and site to be determined.</p><p>&#8220;We&#8217;re not defending anything,&#8221; said Wren, a freshman who wasn&#8217;t part of last season&#8217;s state title for the Royals but is playing a critical part this year. She went 4 for 4 with four singles and scored two of the team&#8217;s first three runs against Kutztown.</p><p>&#8220;You can&#8217;t think of last year,&#8221; Wren continued. &#8220;That is the past. You have to work even harder to get to the state championship this season.&#8221;</p><p>For a short while, the Cougars had Redeemer working up a bit of a sweat at Allentown&#8217;s Patriot Park.</p><p>A bunt single, an error on another bunt and Maria Meigio&#8217;s run-scoring single to right field gave an already-enthusiastic Kutztown team more reason to cheer with a 1-0 lead four batters into the game.</p><p>But Wren cut the celebration short.</p><p>She charged Jillian Seifert&#8217;s hard grounder to center field, planted, and fired a strike to Redeemer catcher Abbey Shorts to cut down Megio at the plate for an inning-ending out.</p><p>&#8220;I kind of thought I had her,&#8221; Wren smiled. &#8220;I&#8217;m pretty sure it built our momentum.&#8221;</p><p>Kutztown never scored again.</p><p>&#8220;It was huge,&#8221; Holy Redeemer coach Jerry Paulukonis said of his rookie outfielder&#8217;s defensive gem. &#8220;As for changing momentum? Probably not. It was the first inning.&#8221;</p><p>Redeemer spent the next two frames changing the flow of the game.</p><p>Wren and Britney Hebda opened the second inning with singles, and Kristen Coffay drew a walk to fill the bases with nobody out. Two batters later, Armstrong stroked a single to center field to score Wren and tie the score, 1-1.</p><p>&#8220;I was looking to get that first run,&#8221; Armstrong said. &#8220;I knew after that, we&#8217;d start hitting.&#8221;</p><p>She made sure of it.</p><p>Olivia Mennig reached on an error, Wren smoked a single to left and Coffay bounced an infield hit off the pitcher as the Royals filled the bases in the third inning with two outs. Shorts then bounded an RBI single through the box, before Armstrong looped a two-run double just under the glove of sliding right fielder Seifert for a 4-1 Royals lead.</p><p>&#8220;Honestly, I thought she was going to catch that,&#8221; Armstrong said. &#8220;Sometimes, things just work out in your favor.</p><p>&#8220;Pretty good it did.&#8221;</p><p>The Royals never stopped working, despite stranding nine runners &#8212; including six in scoring position.</p><p>After Royals pitcher Morgan Bienkowski left Kutztown runners at second and third by inducing a groundout to finish the top of the sixth inning, she helped make sure no such scares would recur for the rest of the game.</p><p>Bienkowski followed Sam Rajza&#8217;s infield single by smashing a double off the left-center field wall, before Laiuvara floated a two-run double over left fielder Meigio.</p><p>Laiuvara stole third base, and Mennig&#8217;s grounder brought her home with the game&#8217;s final run.</p><p>&#8220;I think when we fall behind, it makes it that much better &#8212; us having to come back,&#8221; Armstrong said. &#8220;And I think it makes us try harder.&#8221;</p><p>The Royals secured their state quarterfinal win with a harder thrower.</p><p>Bienkowski relieved starter Coffay and allowed three hits while striking out four over the game&#8217;s final four innings to pick up the victory. Coffay, despite surrendering five hits, allowed just that one first-inning run.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s more of a gut feeling,&#8221; said Paulukonis, who has regularly interchanged Coffay and Bienkowski between this year&#8217;s state playoff run and last season&#8217;s. &#8220;We got what we wanted here and let&#8217;s go on to the next point. You feel it. Who knows, on Monday Kristen might go six innings.</p><p>&#8220;Both of them are throwing fantastic.&#8221;</p><p>Which means the Royals are having every bit as much fun as their first state championship playoff surge of a year ago. And newcomers Armstrong, Wren and Laiuvara are happy to help the team&#8217;s other six returning starters start having flashbacks to 2015.</p><p>&#8220;They preach it all the time &#8212; &#8216;It&#8217;s just like last year,&#8217; &#8221; Armstrong said.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>PIAA Class 2A quarterfinal</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Holy Redeemer 7, Kutztown 1</strong></p><p><strong>Kutztown`AB`R`H`BI</strong></p><p>Donat cf`3`1`1`0</p><p>Parks 3b`3`0`0`0</p><p>Stump ss`4`0`1`0</p><p>Meigio lf`3`0`3`1</p><p>Balthaser 2b,p`3`0`0`0</p><p>Seifert rf`3`0`1`0</p><p>Calkins p,ss`3`0`1`0</p><p>Fritz c`3`0`0`0</p><p>Ache flex`0`0`0`0</p><p>Dunn dp`3`0`1`0</p><p><strong>Totals`28`1`8`1</strong></p><p><strong>Holy Redeemer`AB`R`H`BI</strong></p><p>Bienkowski ss,p`4`1`2`0</p><p>Laiuvara rf`4`1`1`2</p><p>Mennig 2b`3`1`0`1</p><p>Wren cf`4`2`4`0</p><p>Hebda 3b`4`0`2`0</p><p>Coffay 1,ss`3`1`1`0</p><p>Shorts c`4`0`1`1</p><p>Armstrong 1b`3`0`2`3</p><p>Rajza lf`3`1`1`0</p><p><strong>Totals`32`7`14`7</strong></p><p><strong>Kutztown`100`000`0`&#8212;`1 </strong></p><p><strong>Holy Redeemer`013`003`x`&#8212;`7</strong></p><p><strong>2B &#8212;</strong> Bienkowski, Laiuvara.</p><p><strong>Kutztown`IP`H`R`ER`BB`SO</strong></p><p>Calkins, L`5`12`7`4`0`1</p><p>Balthaser`1`2`0`0`0`0</p><p><strong>Home`IP`H`R`ER`BB`SO</strong></p><p>Coffay`3`5`1`0`0`0</p><p>Bienkowski, W`4`3`0`0`1`4</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Holy Redeemer&#8217;s Morgan Luksic and Meghan Armstrong celebrate the Royals&#8217; 7-1 state quarterfinal win over Kutztown on Thursday at Allentown&#8217;s Patriot Park. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Holy Redeemer&#8217;s Morgan Luksic and Meghan Armstrong celebrate the Royals&#8217; 7-1 state quarterfinal win over Kutztown on Thursday at Allentown&#8217;s Patriot Park. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Holy Redeemer first baseman Meghan Armstrong stretches for a throw to record the out in a PIAA Class 2A softball quarterfinal victory over Kutztown. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer2.jpg</photo1><caption1>Holy Redeemer first baseman Meghan Armstrong stretches for a throw to record the out in a PIAA Class 2A softball quarterfinal victory over Kutztown. </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Brittany Hebda makes contact, something her Holy Redeemer teammates did plenty of times in Thursday&#8217;s state quarterfinal victory over Kutztown. Hebda finished 2 for 4 and the Royals collected 14 hits and seven runs in the 7-1 win. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer3.jpg</photo2><caption2>Brittany Hebda makes contact, something her Holy Redeemer teammates did plenty of times in Thursday&#8217;s state quarterfinal victory over Kutztown. Hebda finished 2 for 4 and the Royals collected 14 hits and seven runs in the 7-1 win. </caption2><photoCredit2></photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Kristen Coffay slides safely into home to complete a four-run Holy Redeemer rally in the third inning. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer4.jpg</photo3><caption3>Kristen Coffay slides safely into home to complete a four-run Holy Redeemer rally in the third inning. </caption3><photoCredit3></photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer5.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Olivia Mennig and Morgan Bienkowski meet at the mound to celebrate after Mennig caught a popup at second base for the final out of Holy Redeemer&#8217;s 7-1 state quarterfinal victory. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer5.jpg</photo4><caption4>Olivia Mennig and Morgan Bienkowski meet at the mound to celebrate after Mennig caught a popup at second base for the final out of Holy Redeemer&#8217;s 7-1 state quarterfinal victory. </caption4><photoCredit4></photoCredit4></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer6.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Morgan Bienkowski (5) celebrates scoring on a two-run double in the sixth inning with freshman Tiana Wren, right, who went 4 for 4 in Holy Redeemer&#8217;s PIAA Classs 2A quarterfinal victory over Kutztown. The Royals advanced to the state semifinals with a 7-1 victory at Allentown&#8217;s Patriot Park. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo5>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer6.jpg</photo5><caption5>Morgan Bienkowski (5) celebrates scoring on a two-run double in the sixth inning with freshman Tiana Wren, right, who went 4 for 4 in Holy Redeemer&#8217;s PIAA Classs 2A quarterfinal victory over Kutztown. The Royals advanced to the state semifinals with a 7-1 victory at Allentown&#8217;s Patriot Park. </caption5><photoCredit5></photoCredit5></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer7.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Allyson Laiuvara slides safely into third on a steal against Kutztown on Thursday at Patriot Park in Allentown. Laiuvara reached second base on a two-run double in the sixth inning, then scored the game&#8217;s final run following her steal of third in Holy Redeemer&#8217;s 7-1 victory over Kutztown. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo6>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer7.jpg</photo6><caption6>Allyson Laiuvara slides safely into third on a steal against Kutztown on Thursday at Patriot Park in Allentown. Laiuvara reached second base on a two-run double in the sixth inning, then scored the game&#8217;s final run following her steal of third in Holy Redeemer&#8217;s 7-1 victory over Kutztown. </caption6><photoCredit6></photoCredit6></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer8.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Holy Redeemer players Morgan Luksic and Meghan Armstrong celebrate Holy Redeemer&#8217;s 7-1 victory over Kutztown in a PIAA Class 2A quarterfinal game on Thursday at Allentown&#8217;s Patriot Park. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo7>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061016Redeemer8.jpg</photo7><caption7>Holy Redeemer players Morgan Luksic and Meghan Armstrong celebrate Holy Redeemer&#8217;s 7-1 victory over Kutztown in a PIAA Class 2A quarterfinal game on Thursday at Allentown&#8217;s Patriot Park. </caption7><photoCredit7></photoCredit7></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Two clutch hits by No. 8 hitter spark Redeemer&#8217;s return to the state semifinals</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Paul Sokoloski</p><p>psokoloski@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Paul Sokoloski at 570-991-6392 or on Twitter @TLPaulSokoloski</p></shirttailMeta></div>

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Meghan Armstrong’s heavy hitting leads Holy Redeemer past Kutztown in state softball quarterfinals