In the second game of a doubleheader for Liberty last Thursday, the Hurricanes lost in the East Penn Conference softball final, 11-0, to the Parkland Trojans at Pates Park in Allentown.

“We’re not going to give any excuses. They beat us,” said Liberty coach Sam Carrodo. “I know, it’s tough to play two games in one day, and you’ve got to face whatever uphill battle, and that’s what the girls did.”

Liberty’s day began around 4 p.m. when the Hurricanes faced Bethlehem Catholic in the EPC semifinal and won, 5-2. Parkland had played its EPC semifinal three days earlier, beating Easton, 1-0.

The EPC final between Liberty and Parkland began around 8:40 p.m.

“I mean, we hit her. That was the fastest pitcher we’ve seen in awhile,” Carrodo said.

Kelly Dulaney was the winning pitcher.

The Trojans attacked early, scoring three runs in the first inning.

Chelsea Morgan led off with a base hit, Makenzie Wolfe hit a home run, and Megan Fenstermaker walked and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Ashley Gallina.

Wolfe had another home run in the third inning when the Trojans took a 7-0 lead.

“I know they came in fresh, but they hit the ball,” said Carrodo. “Paige was tired there toward the end and that’s why we took her out. We’re not going to kill her out there. But I’m extremely proud of what we did.”

Paige Zigmund was pitching her second game of the night, and Kyla Benner came in to relieve in the fifth inning.

“I knew sooner or later I was going to have to come in, but I didn’t know exactly when so I was kind of ready, warming up both games,” Benner said. “I had my team behind me. Win or lose, I know I always have them.”

Benner gave up a walk and a base hit but no runs.

The Hurricanes will now compete in the District XI Class 6A softball playoffs, scheduled to begin this week.

“Listen, we were the number eight seed [in the EPC] and we got to the final,” said Carrodo. “I told them to not take anything but positives out of what just happened.”