Hatchets, Cougars battle at Complex
Todd Lancaster, Sports Editor | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 12:07 pm
The North Daviess Cougars and the Washington Hatchet softball teams showed that softball played in early April can sometimes be just as interesting as the late May variety, as the Cougars and Hatchets kept each other on their collective heels for six innings on Monday at the Sports Complex.
The Cougars came away with the 6-2, win, but it wasn’t until the top of the seventh that ND was finally able to come up with a knockout blow.
“I though North Daviess made a few errors, but they are still a fast, strong team who likes to bunt the ball,” said WHS coach Alan Lemon. “They are still a strong ball team and we played right with them. I think this was a big step in the right direction.”
“We played two games on Saturday and played awesome and then to come out here and make four or five errors, that is just not acceptable,” said ND coach Jodi Berry. “We have got to show up every game. Defensively we can’t start slow like that and expect to win games.”
After ND posted a pair of runs in the first inning, Washington’s Kendra Veale was able to settle down and hold the Lady Cougars to just one run over the next five innings, before picking up three in the seventh.
Sharayah Graber handled the chores on the rubber for ND and gave up two unearned run in her seven innings of work, but Washington stranded seven runners, helping Graber to find the win.
The Cougars picked up two runs after Kynsley Byrer and Kristen O’Haver reached before Abby McKee blasted a triple to the gap in right center to drive in two runs. McKee had a big stick all day, also hitting a deep fly to center and a run-scoring double in the seventh.
“Abby has been hitting the ball very well. I though (Sharahya) Graber cane up with a huge double and Jenny Dove, a freshman, had a big sacrifice fly.”
Morgan Wininger also scored in the second to give ND a 3-0 lead. Veale gave up just two more hits through six and Washington picked up two runs of its own in the fourth.
Hatchet Kiersten Hinkle singled and Michelle Hulsey reached on an error, one of four the Cougars made on the day. Hatchets’ Amber Criswell walked and then freshman Jenny Bunch drove in a run. The second Hatchet run scored when Audra Myers, also a freshman, reached on a fielders’ choice. Myers had two of the Lady Hatchets’ four hits, but Graber was able to retire Washington in order in the last three innings.
“Audra has never caught before, but she is doing a nice job (back there). Jenny Bunch is just a freshman too, but she is going to be a nice player,” added Lemon.
The Cougars added three runs in the top of the seventh. Stephanie Williams reached on and error, as did Byrer. Graber then helped her cause with a double, followed by McKee’s blast.
“It was a lot like the BNL game. You can say we had a lot of errors, but we at least we were able to come back and get the win. I think we grew up a lot today,” said Graber.
“We have got just three seniors and the rest are juniors and below,” said Lemon. “So this is coming together.”
The Hatchets play in each of the next five days, while North Daviess plays Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.