Charleroi crushes Cal

By JEREMY SELLEW

jsellew@yourmvi.com

Coming off a couple tough losses to Frazier and Carmichaels, Charleroi softball coach Trey Tilghman wanted to see his team get back on track and handle its business.

Friday, the Cougars took a big step in getting themselves into a playoff position with a dominant 10-0 win over visiting California in Section 3-2A play.

While the Cougars pounded out eight hits with the sticks, it was senior shortstop Jocelyn Polonoli carrying the biggest stick of all.

Polonoli slugged a two-run homer, doubled and finished with five RBIs to lead the Charleroi offense.

“It was great to see her put one out,” Tilghman said. “She was running the bases like crazy, she didn’t even know it went out until after she got to me.”

Polonoli’s two-run blast highlighted a four-run bottom of the first for the Cougars, who held a small ceremony prior to the game thanking those that had a hand in building their new facility near the football stadium.

“It was great to get to do that and come out and get off to a good start,” Tilghman said. “The good start was key for us.”

Leena Henderson was hit by a pitch to start the game and moved to third on a sharp single by Riley Jones.

Both came in to score on a two-run double that one-hopped the fence by McKenna DeUnger.

“If it wasn’t as cold and windy as it was today, we probably would have hit three or four out,” Tilghman said.

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