TOWER CITY - Was it Murphy’s Law?

Was it that two key members of Marian Catholic’s softball team were ill much of the week and possibly less than 100%?

Or was it just an off night?

Whatever happened, Marian didn’t look like itself on Thursday in the District 11 Class A semifinal game, falling to Nativity 11-0 in six innings.

Although the Green Wave led throughout, scoring two runs in the first inning, it was a six-run fifth inning that put away the Fillies.

“It was certainly their day,” said Marian head coach Joe DeAngelo of Nativity. “First and foremost, I’d like to give Nativity credit. They made all the plays defensively and they certainly hit the ball.”

The coach pointed out that Morgan Kelly, the pitching ace and top hitter, and Alise Heisey, the team’s dependable shortstop, both missed several days of school because of illness.

“This week they’re not at 100%,” he said. “It’s not an excuse. It’s just reality.”

The game, played in Tower City at Williams Valley High School, was a stark contrast to a meeting between the Fillies and Nativity just three weeks ago, which Marian won in extra innings, 5-4.

In Thursday’s game, Nativity not only outplayed the Fillies offensively, they also dominated on defense. Marian got just three hits in the game, one in each of the first three innings. After that, their lone base-runner was due to a two-out walk in the fifth inning.

Kelly might not have been 100%, but she was still pretty awesome swinging the bat. She was 2-for-3 for the night, both of them hard-hit singles. She also stole two bases that got her to third, but Nativity ended the inning leaving her stranded.

The only other base hit for Marian was a second-inning single by sophomore Gracie Gallagher.

Nativity head coach Chuck Rushannon was obviously thrilled with the victory - especially the margin of the win.

“I always say that defense is a large part of the game,” he said. “Plus, we hit the ball well and Emily (Krammes) did a great job pitching. The last three games have seen us putting it all together.”

Nativity played the entire game with no errors.

The Green Wave took a 2-0 lead in the first, with an error by Marian setting up one of the runs.

In the third, two more runs scored thanks to a walk, a triple and a sacrifice fly.

In the fifth, a lead-off double by Caelin Quick, a sacrifice fly and an overthrow resulted in Nativity going in front 5-0.

Then came that big sixth inning, which put the early end to the contest.

“All-in-all, a 15-win season, it was a real good season,” said DeAngelo. “A division championship. You have to remember those things even after a tough loss like this. And, I’d like to give credit to the three seniors for their leadership as well: (Olivia) Erikson, (Eden) Fleming and (Rhiannon) Brady.”

NEXT FOR NATIVITY ... The loss brings the end to Marian’s season, giving the Fillies a 15-7 record. Nativity’s next opponent will be Tri-Valley, which defeated Weatherly in the nightcap of the Williams Valley field double-header. Tri-Valley has defeated Nativity twice during the regular season, 9-2 and 13-0.

SOME GREAT NEWS ... Marian has a young team, and this year’s leading player, Morgan Kelly, is only a sophomore. Kelly is the No. 1 pitcher and was the top hitter, coming into Thursday’s game hitting .464. She’s hit three of the team’s six home runs this year. She also is the leader in stolen bases with 12 steals on 13 attempts. With three seniors leaving, the roster includes two juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen. After the game, DeAngelo said each of the team members should “look forward, whether you’re graduating or if you’re playing next year.”

GOOD PITCHING ... Kelly had five strikeouts. She also did a great job on fielding from the circle, catching two fly balls and having one assist. The opposing pitcher was sophomore Emily Krammes, who had six strikeouts and walked two (one on a hit-by-pitch).

Nativity 202 016 - 11 7 0

Marian 000 000 - 0 3 2

Krammes and Sinko. Kelly and Grabosky. W - Krammes. L - Kelly.