The Marian softball team experienced its share of highs and lows Wednesday against perennial power Tri-Valley.

The Fillies were well aware of how dominant the Bulldogs have been in recent seasons. Historically, they’ve struggled to hang with Tri-Valley — until now.

No, Marian didn’t come away with the win, but what it did do was send a message: the Fillies are no longer pushovers. While Tri-Valley outslugged Marian 16–5, the game felt much closer than the final score suggested.

The Schuylkill League Division II matchup had plenty of fireworks from both teams as Tri-Valley pounded out 16 hits, including five for extra bases — three doubles, a triple, and a home run. Marian nearly matched that effort, racking up 11 hits with a double, a triple, and two home runs.

The difference came down to one thing: Marian ran out of steam and committed five costly errors.

“They should be proud of the way they played,” Tri-Valley manager Marty Shade said. “I told (Marian head coach Lyndsey Reinoehl) her kids did a great job. So did our kids — they came up with the big hits when we needed them.”

Tri-Valley finally enforced the 10-run rule in the sixth inning, plating three unearned runs to end the game.

“This was a big boost for our confidence,” Reinoehl said of her youthful squad. “We’re using two sophomore pitchers who never threw a varsity pitch before this year. Our seniors said afterward this was the first time a Marian team scored more than one run against Tri-Valley.”

Tri-Valley jumped to a 3–0 lead in its first two at-bats, using five hits to drive in the runs. Myah Schwalm had two RBIs during that stretch. Marian answered with some power of its own thanks to a solo home run by Malina Letcher, who also tripled.

Schwalm quickly responded in the third, launching a solo shot over the left-centerfield fence to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 4–1.

But Marian wasn’t fazed. The Fillies rallied for two runs in the bottom half of the inning. DeAnna Pugh singled, Letcher tripled her home, and Danica Karlick singled in Letcher. Hailey Treskolasky followed with an RBI single to make it 4–3.

Tri-Valley’s biggest outburst came in the fourth when it sent 12 batters to the plate and scored seven runs on five hits. Schwalm led the way with four hits, three RBIs, and a triple. She narrowly missed hitting for the cycle, needing only a single. Her sister, Mady Schwalm, chipped in two hits and three RBIs. Cassie Snyder added a double, two singles, and two RBIs.

“I like what we’re starting to do, and that’s hit the ball,” Reinoehl said of her team’s offensive explosion.

Marian showed resilience again in the fourth. Trailing 13–3 and on the brink of a four-inning mercy rule defeat, the Fillies rallied for two runs. Letcher’s second home run was the highlight, and Treskolasky added a double.

Tri-Valley closed things out in the sixth with three unearned runs on three hits. Alina Leonard, Snyder, and Mady Schwalm all recorded hits in the inning.

ON THE RISE ... The Fillies continue to improve. Once their pitching gains more experience, they’ll be a much tougher opponent. Good pitching keeps teams in games.

TOUGH BREAK ... Tri-Valley may have lost standout centerfielder Mia Artz, who injured her knee trying to leg out an infield single in the second inning.

TORRID ... Letcher had a career day. Her no-doubt homer in the fifth was a highlight. Pugh also impressed — the sophomore bats second but could be a dynamic leadoff hitter. She’s a tough out with her speed and quick bat, and delivered a three-hit performance.

30 YEARS AND COUNTING ... Tri-Valley mentor Marty Shade joked that when he first took over the program he was asked to do it “for a year or two.” Shade has been a staple in the Schuylkill League, and helped to establish the Bulldogs as a powerhouse program, reaching the state quarterfinals last year. Now in his 34th season at Tri-Valley, Shade has amassed over 500 career wins.

Tri-Valley 211 723 – 16 16 1

Marian 012 020 – 5 11 5

K. Rodichock and L. Rodichock; Birrer, Upanavage (4) and Treskolasky. W – K. Rodichock L – Birrer.

Records: Tri-Valley (3-2); Marian (1-2)