Tiger Cub softball team blows out Chargers twice

Greencastle's Masey Ward scoops a grounder between first and second. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

Greencastle's softball team looked sharp all morning with a couple of dominant victories over North Montgomery Saturday.

The first game was close for half of one inning. North Montgomery was able to get a hit off of pitcher Skyler Hensley. But after the Tiger Cubs rattled off 11 runs and the score was never again close.

They won 22-1.

Rachel Dozier connects on her swing in the first game which the Tiger Cubs won 22-1. In the second game of the double-header Dozier connected for a home run in the third which contributed to the 21-5 Greencastle victory. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

"They came out hitting really well," said Greencastle coach Dave Keller. "We've renewed our focus. We are aiming toward the middle of May to the sectionals. That's our goal. We want to get everyone playing well. You're not a team with nine girls. You are a team with all of them."

It the first game against North Montgomery, hits were not hard to come by. Every Tiger Cub that played managed to score, many multiple times.

Freshman Skyler Hensley pitched the first game, recorded six strikeouts and ended three of the five innings with only three batters taking the plate.

Greencastle's Courtney Adams covers second and prevents the North Montgomery runner from getting into a pickle situation. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

After the first game of the double-header, Keller wanted to se how the Tiger Cubs handled the second game after such a lop-sided affair.

"I want to see if they come out with the same fire," Keller said. "The day's only half over. I told them 'get a drink and get back out on that horse. We have two games and it'll prepare us for county."

The second game started out just as well for the Tiger Cubs.

The Chargers were unable to score until the fourth inning and Greencastle won 21-5.

"We played well defensively," Keller said. "We were able to move some players around. Fourteen girls dressed today and all of them played. We've got to make sure we are doubled up at every position."

Part of the rotation was playing freshman Skylar Clifford at catcher.

"She did a great job back there and that's only going to help us down the road," Keller said.

As for the offensive side, the Tiger Cubs scored 19 runs in their first three innings, including a home run by sophomore Rachel Dozier in the third inning that knocked in freshman Regan Keller.

"I was just trying to get a base hit," Dozier said. "It's always a mistake to hit a home run."

Dozier said that it takes the whole Tiger Cub squad to complete such a dominate game.

"We just keep cheering each other on," Dozier said. "We don't try anything fancy. It's an entire team effort."

With the season in its final stages, Keller believes the team is starting to click at the right time. The team is 6-6 and he says this newfound trust will make the Tiger Cubs very competitive when the post-season arrives.

"We learned to trust each other a little bit this week," Keller said. "When we buy into each other good things will happen."

Greencastle's next game is at home against Monrovia.

At Greencastle Game 1