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’Skins, Chiefs battle to split |
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Monday, 21 April 2008 |
By PHIL McLEAN
Staff Writer
Saturday’s softball doubleheader brought out the best and the worst in the Wapakoneta Redskins. Bellefontaine won the opener 7-2, while the Redskins rebounded for their second run-rule victory of the year in a 10-0 five-inning game.
After falling apart in the sixth inning of the first game, the Redskins bounced back to completely dominate the Chieftains in game two.
“That’s the nice thing about this team,” Wapakoneta varsity coach Bill Sammons said. “They never say die.”
Wapakoneta drew first blood in the opening game. Ashleigh Schroeder belted a one-out single. She then stole second. Jordan Bodell singled and an infield single by Christy Steinke loaded the bases. Sandra Springer hit a sacrifice fly to center to score the first run of the game.
Over the next four innings there was one more run scored.
With two outs in the third, Kara Moorison belted a single and went to second on a error. Justine Peterson followed with a triple and the game was tied at 1. A pitcher’s duel ensued over the next two innings.
Bellefontaine sent nine batters to the plate in the sixth inning, scoring six times on three hits, a throwing error and a wild pitch. The Chieftains held off the Redskins in the seventh allowing only one run.
With two outs, freshman Emily Whetstone belted a two-out triple and was singled home by Erika Frank.
Kelsey Place suffered the loss in game one giving up seven runs, allowing one walk and striking out three.
In the second game, Sammons shook up the lineup (although not the girls’ defensive positions) and put Whetstone on the mound. It marked her first start and her first win.
Between games, the coaching staff told the girls to forget the first game (which snapped a three-game winning streak), put it behind them and start a new streak. The girls did just that.
Pitching near perfect ball, Whetstone led the Redskins to a 10-0 victory in five innings. She allowed only two hits and struck out five as Wapakoneta improved to 8-5 on the season.
“Emily Whetstone was a great surprise today,” Sammons said. “I don’t know how many hits she gave up but it wasn’t many. And she drove the ball.”
Wapakoneta took control in the second inning with four runs. The Redskins added two more in the fourth and the final four in the home fifth.
Erica Bryan scored two runs on four hits. Amy Copeland walked twice and scored each time. Whetstone scored twice and had a run-producing double.
The Redskins return to action on Tuesday when they host Ottawa-Glandorf. Wapakoneta will be seeking to improve its 1-3 Western Buckeye League record.
Bellefontaine 001 006 0 – 7-7-0
Wapakoneta 100 000 1 – 2-8-2
Bellefontaine 000 00 – 0-2-0
Wapakoneta 040 24 – 10-8-2
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 22 April 2008 )
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