The early signs were positive for Weatherly’s softball team on Thursday.

The Wreckers pushed across two first-inning runs, sending a message across the diamond to host Marian.

But by the bottom of the second inning, things got bleak for the Orange and Black.

Marian’s bats came to life around sophomore Deanna Pugh, who tripled, doubled, singled and knocked in five runs as the Fillies pulled away for a 13-3 five-inning Schuylkill League victory.

It was the first win of the season for Marian, which evened its mark at 1-1, while the Wreckers dropped to 1-1 in Division 2 play.

“We started a bit slow,” said Fillies head coach Lindsey Reinoehl. “It was a bit disappointing because of the way we played at Williams Valley (a loss), but we really hit the ball.

“Then again, Weatherly did a nice job early on, before we got our offense rolling.”

Weatherly gained its 2-0 advantage in its first at-bats, using an error and a walk to Olivia Maresco before Aisha Teodorescu delivered a two-run single.

Winning Marian pitcher Emily Upanavage eventually settled into a groove, avoiding further damage by getting a fly out and a ground out. Upanavage allowed but one hit — that coming from Teodorescu in the Wreckers’ first-inning rally. The right-handed sophomore ended with 10 strikeouts while issuing three walks.

The Fillies cut into the lead with a solo run in their first at-bats.

Gracie Sendatch reached on an error to open the home first, but losing pitcher Rebecca Caldwell — who was rushed into service — looked like she was going to wiggle free of any damage by getting back-to-back ground outs. But a Texas League single off the bat of Danica Krolick, and a subsequent error allowed the first Marian run to cross the plate.

Things really started to click for the home team over the next three innings.

The Fillies sent 12 batters to the plate during a seven-run second inning, which saw Upanavage help her cause with a single. Pugh swatted a gapper to right center clearing the bases with a triple. Melina Letcher and Krolick walked, and an error and a two-run hit from Kayla Barron made it 7-2. Zoe Katona added a sacrifice fly as Marian led 8-2 after two innings.

Marian tacked on a pair of runs in the third when Sandatch singled to open the inning, Pugh walked and Letcher picked up an RBI on a groundout. Krolick slapped a single to center allowing Pugh to score.

Leading 10-2, the Fillies sent three more runs across the dish in the home fourth as Pugh singled home two runs — her fourth and fifth of the afternoon — driving in Delaney Erickson, who had singled, and Upanavage, who singled for the second time in the game.

“When things go (south) it’s just like stepping in quick sand, you just keep sinking further and further,” said Weatherly mentor Will Bartol.

Weatherly didn’t go quietly, pushing across a run in the fifth before the 10-run rule kicked in. Upanavage got the final out on a grounder to second to end the contest.

“It was a nice win for us, that’s for sure,” Reinoehl said. “We need to do a lot better, especially early in games like this.”

TAKE NOTICE … Weatherly shortstop Abby Weston’s fielding is top-notch. She had five chances as she charged the ball and didn’t wait for the ball to play her.

ZIP SPEED … Marian’s do-it-all Pugh has uncanny speed. She can turn singles into doubles, and she used that speed to turn a double into a triple in the second inning.

GOOD GUY AWARD … Long-time Marian trainer Mark Gallagher was lauded for his service by the Marian softball program and presented a hoodie in appreciation.

NEVER SKIPS A BEAT … Marian head coach Reinoehl admired Pugh’s quick turn around from the basketball floor to the softball diamond. “She didn’t take any time off after basketball season. Her last game was on a Friday, the next day she was out for softball practice.”

Weatherly 200 01 - 3 1 5

Marian 172 3x - 13 9 2

Caldwell and Teodorescu; Upanavage and Treskolasky. W - Upanavage. L - Caldwell.