FLEETVILLE — Brooke Granko had two hits and drove in two runs to lead Old Forge over Christy Mathewson, 8-0, in a District 17 9-10 year-old All Star Tournament softball elimination game on Friday, July 10 at the Benton Township Little League Field.

Granko gave Old Forge a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with a bloop single over third base, scoring Belle Luongo who singled, stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball.

After recording the first two outs of the top of the second inning, Old Forge pitcher Meghan McDonnell walked three consecutive batters (Hannah James, Faith Dewey and Annabelle Gumble) before striking out Ella McNeff to end the scoring threat.

Lorelai Paxton walked to lead off the top of the third inning for Christy Mathewson and moved to third base on a single by Emma Oswald. McDonnell, who allowed just three hits and struck out 10 batters, got Dariane Jones to ground into a fielder’s choice and struck out Audrey Franko to keep Christy Mathewson scoreless.

“We got some runners at third (base) a lot early in the game, but we just couldn’t get them in,” said Matt Dewey, Christy Mathewson head coach.

Old Forge added two runs in the bottom of the third inning when Granko singled and scored on a wild pitch and Alexa Mulrooney drove in Julia Goetz with an RBI single.

“We just want to put the ball in play and make things happen,” Old Forge head coach Mike Lettieri said. “ It’s all about having fun and being part of something nice.”

Kadie Johnson singled for Christy Mathewson in the top of the fourth inning and stole second base, but McDonnell struck out the next three batters.

“She played up (a grade level) during league play, so it was an adjustment for her to come back down to the smaller ball but she’s found her groove,” Lettieri said of McDonnell.

Emma Autrisa and Eliza DiStasi each walked and scored on wild pitches and Granko reached on an error to score Luongo, giving Old Forge a 6-0 lead after four innings.

Mulrooney walked and scored on a passed ball and Gia Lettieri delivered an RBI single to give Old Forge a 8-0 lead after five innings.

Christy Mathewson loaded the bases in the top of the sixth after Jones singled, Johnson was hit by a pitch and Dewey walked but McDonnell struck out Lauren Fahey to end the game.

Christy Mathewson’s Hannah James stretches to catch a throw and record an out at first base during an 8-0 loss to Old Forge in a District 17 9-10 softball elimination game July 10 in Fleetville.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_ABJ-Mathewson-softball-1.jpg.optimal.jpgChristy Mathewson’s Hannah James stretches to catch a throw and record an out at first base during an 8-0 loss to Old Forge in a District 17 9-10 softball elimination game July 10 in Fleetville. Alice Stuffle | For Abington Journal

Christy Mathewson pitcher Gabby Wood allowed seven hits in five innings.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_ABJ-Mathewson-softball-2.jpg.optimal.jpgChristy Mathewson pitcher Gabby Wood allowed seven hits in five innings. Alice Stuffle | For Abington Journal

Christy Mathewson left fielder Audrey Franko makes a catch during an 8-0 loss to Old Forge.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_ABJ-Mathewson-softball-3.jpg.optimal.jpgChristy Mathewson left fielder Audrey Franko makes a catch during an 8-0 loss to Old Forge. Alice Stuffle | For Abington Journal

By Robert Tomkavage

rtomkavage@timesleader.com

Reach Robert Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.