It was not a big, booming hit.
But it was enough to get the job done.
Olivia Michalski’s ground ball should have been the third out of the inning, but Halifax first baseman Samantha Manion couldn’t handle the errant throw from third base and Kam Pepkowski raced across the plate to give Faith Christian a 2-1 victory in eight innings in the opening round of the PIAA Class A softball tournament at home on Monday.
“I just hit the ball,” said Michalski, a junior who plays first base. “Honestly, I forgot she (Pepkowski) was on third. I just ran as fast as I could to first because I was afraid I was going to be out. Then she (Manion) dropped it and I saw everyone rush onto the field and I realized the game was over and we’d won.
“I was just so focused on what I had to do that I didn’t even think.”
Faith Christian (16-6), the District One champion, scored the first run of the day in the bottom of the first, a Salma Lampack RBI single that drove in Pepkowski.
That lead held up until the top of the fourth, when Halifax’s Mackenzie Sawdey doubled, then scored on a single by Brooke Barcavage, the only time the Wildcats (14-7), the District Three titlists, were able to get two hits in a single frame.
“When they scored, we didn’t get down on ourselves,” Michalski said. “We knew they were going to be a good team and they were.”
This is new territory for Faith Christian, which has already advanced farther than any team in program history.
“I have confidence that our team can make a lot of noise from here on out,” said Lampack, a senior who will study criminology, minor in accounting and join the Air Force ROTC while playing softball next year at Wilkes.
“We’ll go out there with our heads held high and play hard. We’re really excited about reaching the quarterfinals and making school history. We are so happy that we got this far. Winning districts was so much fun but it was even more fun to come out here and play tough D and tough offense against a good team that also came out playing hard. It was a good game of softball.”
Lampack had a great day behind the plate, registering two putouts and throwing out a baserunner.
“I think it’s important as a catcher, especially as a senior catching a freshman, that I keep her calm,” she said. “Also I try to be in the game physically and not just mentally. We have a good connection on and off the field and that’s really helpful.”
Pepkowski got the win on the mound, surrendering four hits and striking out 11 while going 4-for-4 at the plate. Autumn Landis doubled for the Lions and Jocelyn Heverly had a base hit.
“We got that early run and that gave me so much confidence,” said Pepkowski, a freshman. “Knowing that we already had a lead gave me and the defense some stability.
“We knew coming into this that states was going to be a challenge. We never lost hope and fought until the very end. I’m very proud of my team. The defense was awesome. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better. Just still being able to play with everyone and being in states is fantastic.”
The Lions will take on District Four champion Montgomery (19-4), which ousted District 11 champ Tri Valley, 1-0, in nine innings, in Thursday’s quarterfinals.
“This (Halifax) was as tough a team as we’ve seen all year,” Michalski said. “Beating them gives us confidence in ourselves that we belong here and we can keep going. We’re not overconfident, but we feel good.”
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