PHOTO: Tunkhannock’s Nicole Howell. (Zachary Allen Photo)
Nicole Howell stroked three hits and Kaya Hannon tossed a three-hit shutout Thursday afternoon when Tunkhannock downed Valley View, 10-0, in five innings in a District 2 Class 4A softball semifinal.
Tunkhannock closed out the game on the 10-run rule by scoring five runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Howell went 3-for-3 with two RBI to lead the offense for the Lady Tigers, who will host Berwick Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. for the district title.
Berwick defeated second seed and Lackawanna League Division 2 champion Honesdale, 8-4, in the other semifinal.
Top-seeded Tunkhannock was in control throughout. The Lady Tigers scored twice in the bottom of the first and added to the lead with three runs in the third.
Sydney Huff had two hits, Emily Schultz drove in two runs and Ella McNeff had a double and two runs scored for Tunkhannock.
Hannon limited Valley View to three singles while walking one and striking out three.
Emily Giavagnoli, Ava Giavagnoli and Alyssa Marion had the hits for the Cougars (11-9).
Berwick took a 3-0 lead after 2½ innings at Honesdale, then after the Lady Hornets closed within 3-2, the Lady Bulldogs added two runs in the fifth and three in the seventh.
The Lady Bulldogs had 15 hits, including six doubles.
Katie Caladie had three hits, including a double, and drove in three runs.
Gabby Starr had three hits, including two doubles, and drove in two runs.
Winning pitcher Emily Novicki was 2-for-3 with a double and three runs scored.
Berwick takes a 13-8 record into the district final. Honesdale finishes 14-5.
