TRR photo by Tom Kane Eldred’s Erin Donnelly looks surprised at being called out at third. Tri-Valley’s Ellie Dymond made the tag. Eldred coach Dot McCrone registers disappointment. (Click for larger image)

Yellowjackets lose to Tri-Valley

By TOM KANE

ELDRED — Eldred softball coach Dot McCrone wasn’t entirely disappointed by her team’s 11-7 loss to Tri-Valley on April 23. She’s still optimistic, she said.

“We hit well,” McCrone said. “Got seven runs, but our defense needs to get a whole lot better.”

The Eldred team had eight errors and several mental lapses, like letting a runner go from second to third and not noticing until it was too late.

“We need to stay in the game all the time,” McCrone said.

Tri-Valley’s Jessica Miller went 4 for 5 with a double. Lisa Lowe was 3 for 5 with an RBI.

Tri-Valley pitcher Heidi Manell went the whole way, as did Eldred’s Becky Ryman. “Heidi is a very good pitcher, but we were getting to her,” McCrone said.

Eldred’s Amanda Tice was 3 for 4, hit a triple, racked up one RBI and scored twice. Kristen Borstelmann went 2 for 3 with one RBI, and scored twice.

Eldred’s record is 1-3. Tri-Valley’s is 6-1.

“We have several kids who never played before, so we’re learning,” McCrone said.

The Yellowjackets have four senior players, and all the rest are juniors. “We’re a young team but we’re improving all the time,” McCrone said.

Eldred’s Lizzi chosen as state all-star

By TOM KANE

ELDRED — Eldred High School senior forward, Christine Lizzi, has been named to the fourth team of the All-State All-Stars among Class D schools.

Soon after basketball season, Lizzi was chosen as a member of the third team all-stars by The Times Herald Record.

Lizzi, who was absent from the school from her freshman to junior years, attending Wyoming Seminary High School in Kingston, PA, returned this year to lead the Yellowjackets to a sectional championship in the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA).

The forward, who is an A-plus student, averaged 15.5 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists a game.

“It didn’t take long for the other players to adapt to her leadership,” said Eldred coach Frank McKean, who was chosen The Times Herald Record’s coach of the year.

Eldred, with a 10-10 record last season, racked up a 20-4 record this year.

Lizzi said she will play ball for whatever college she attends.

Certified for safety

PENNSYLVANIA — All personal watercraft (PWC) operators must have a Boating Safety Education Certificate to operate a PWC in Pennsylvania. Youth 12 through 15 years of age must also have this same certificate, if they operate a motorboat greater than 10 horsepower. The certificate is not required of any other boater, although it is recommended that all boaters take a safety course. Personal watercraft are better known by their registered trade names, such as Jet Ski, Sea-Doo, Wave Runner, Wet Jet, Tiger Shark, etc.

Basic boating classes

The Fish and Boat Commission’s eight-hour Basic Boating Course was established to supply boaters with practical information so they can make more informed decisions on the water. Course instructors provide students with information to help them reduce the risk of injury and conflict on the water. Topics include boat terminology, legal requirements, water activities, safety and rescue. At the end of the course, a 25-question, multiple choice exam will be given. Students who pass the exam with a minimum grade of 72 percent will receive their boating safety education certificate in the mail.

Course dates

There are several opportunities to enroll in a Basic Boating Course in the lake region. Daylong classes are scheduled for Saturday, May 12 and Saturday, May 19, in the large group instruction room at Wallenpaupack Area High School, on Route 6. Classes will run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Students only need to sign up for one of these courses to obtain certification. Due to limited space, pre-registration is required. Call Meg at PPL at 570/226-3702, ext. 223 to register.

For information on additional classes in your area, please call the Fish and Boat Commission at 888/723-4741 (888/PA FISH 1) or visit www.fish.state.pa.us.