Coming into this season and opening day this past Monday Hopewell Valley figured to be one of the toughest challenges the Allentown High School softball team would face in the Patriot Division of the Colonial Valley Conference this season.
Hopewell may still end up being very good this season, but Allentown certainly made a major statement with its 8-0 win this past Monday.
Katie Sansouci had a dominating performance for Allentown on opening day, striking out 13 and allowing only two hits in her complete-game effort.
Allentown Coaches Bob Dubina and Mary Ellen McCarthy have a very pleasant problem this season as Caitlin Ryan is also a very capable pitcher.
Allentown gave Sansouci all the offense she would need with a two-run first inning. In what was clearly her day, Sansouci tripled home Erin Kelley, who had reached on a leadoff single. Sansouci scored herself on a single by Amie Ballo.
Caitlin Ryan provided the big hit as Allentown added two runs in the second, connecting for a two-run double. Ryan added a third RBI in the fourth. Kelley doubled in the fourth.
Allentown also scored two runs in the sixth. Kelly and Ryan both had hits in that inning. Kelly had four hits and Ryan three in the game.
The win was the first for Dubina, who takes over as coach of the team from Bob DiBernardo.
Allentown is scheduled to be back in action today (April 7) when it travels to play at Notre Dame. Allentown will then be off until Monday when it hosts Steinert in a 3:45 p.m. start.

