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Napoleon takes two from Redskins |
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Monday, 05 May 2008 |
By PHIL McLEAN
Staff Writer
Wapakoneta varsity softball coach Bill Sammons came as close to sounding disappointed as he has all season after the Redskins lost a doubleheader to Napoleon on Saturday. The Wildcats took the first game in a 10-0 five-inning run-rule contest and then won the second game 4-0.
“We were not ready to play,” Sammons said. “If we want to achieve our goals we have to hit the ball.”
Napoleon was the team hitting the ball Saturday, collecting 25 hits compared to the Redskins seven hits.
Wildcat varsity coach Joe Meyer was happy with his team’s performance, especially in the first game, when the Wildcats pounded Wapakoneta starter Kelsey Place for 13 hits including two doubles, taking a 2-0 lead in the second inning.
“We had that one big inning,” Meyer pointed out.
The big inning was the fifth. Going into the fifth Napoleon held a 2-0 lead. In the fifth, the Wildcats sent 12 batters to the plate and sent eight of them home for the 10-0 win.
“We hit the ball well today,” Meyer said. The 13-hit out put included two triples. Napoleon also took advantage of two Wapakoneta errors.
But to give Place credit, she didn’t walk a single player. The same feat was matched by second-game pitcher Emily Whetstone. She did not walk a single player.
The Wapakoneta defense played a better game in the second contest, but Wapakoneta still could not push a run across, suffering its third shutout of the season.
Napoleon came into the game with a 15-1 season record and much the credit for that goes to the Wildcats pitchers, Libbey Hall and Ashley Weaver, who both hurled shutouts. The Wildcats go home with a 17-1 record and Meyer said several of the wins came against other Western Buckeye League teams — teams they could possibly meet in postseason tournament play, including traditional rival Defiance.
“We need to play better,” Sammons said. The Wildcat record made it a little easier to except the losses, but the coach pointed out that is still not an excuse.
Wapakoneta drops to 10-8 on the season, but will return to action on Tuesday when Wapakoneta travels to Kenton. The Redskins will attempt to improve on their 3-4 conference record.
NHS 020 08 – 10-13-0
WHS 000 00 – 0-4-2
NHS 101 101 0 – 4-12-2
WHS 000 000 0 – 0-3-2 |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 06 May 2008 )
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