DALLAS – That state runner-up finish a year ago will always be a great memory for the Tunkhannock softball team. Now the five starters form that team and the newcomers are trying to make some memories of their own.

When the Tigers look back at Monday’s 13-4 win over Dallas, they could see it as a building block. And perhaps the biggest recollection will be how cold it was — like 41 degrees at first pitch with no sun to be seen anywhere.

Tunkhannock, which finished second in the 2017 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class 4A state tournament, improved to 2-1 in the Wyoming Valley Conference. The Tigers’ only loss was, 8-5, to Hazleton Area, a Class 6A team and WVC Division 1 member that was also a state finalist last season.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” Tunkhannock coach Bob Hegedty said. “The girls are throwing well and we’re hitting. We have to shore up our defense.”

Two newcomers to the lineup made their marks Monday.

Makayla Quick and ninth hitter Gina Walsh each had three hits and three RBI, including a two-run double.

The Dallas offense also had its moments in what was the team’s season opener.

Tunkhannock led 10-0 in the middle of the second inning, but could not put Dallas away on the 10-run rule. The Mountaineers bounced back with four runs in the bottom of the second, including two on a Gianna Spaciano triple.

Kendra Schultz took over as Tunkhannock pitcher after the second. She struck out 11 and did not allow a hit until Spaciano singled with two out in the seventh.

Tunkhannock had scored six times in the first, including two on a Schultz single and two on Quick’s double.

The Tigers added four more in the second when starting pitcher Hope Jones and Quick had RBI singles and Jena Simmons had a sacrifice fly.

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By John Erzar

jerzar@timesleader.com

Reach the Dallas Post newsroom at 570-991-6387 or by email at news@mydallaspost.com.