Foster homers as Tiger Cubs fall, 11-3

The Greencastle Tiger Cubs hosted Western Indiana Conference rival Sullivan in high school softball Thursday night, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead before the Golden Arrows broke open a tight game in the fifth inning to finish with an 11-3 victory.

The Arrows scored four runs in the fifth with only one ball leaving the infield. Sullivan used small ball with two infield singles, a bunt single and a fielder's choice to turn a 2-2 tie into a 6-2 lead.

"We need to defend the short game better. They caught us sleeping in the fifth inning. We can do better. We need work on the short game both defensively and offensively. I think it is something we can do well," Greencastle coach Tabatha Briones said.

Greencastle came out with a purpose. Starting pitcher Skyler Hensley shut the Arrows down in the first inning, allowing only one baserunner.

The Tiger Cubs then started the bottom of the first inning with their bats alive. Julia Mundy led the inning off with a double. Kenlee Johnson brought her home with an RBI single. Two batters later, Gracie Foster hit an RBI single to bring home Johnson for a 2-0 lead.

"It was a conference game and one of the goals was to come out hitting. We did that early," Briones said.

Sullivan showed the short game early also, using an infield single and a bunt single to highlight a two-run third inning to tie the game.

"We moved some players around at first, pitcher, and catcher. We just need to work on defending that kind of game [small ball]," Briones said.

The Tiger Cubs couldn't muster enough offense to threaten Sullivan, but did get a seventh-inning lift as Foster drilled a solo home run to center field to set the final score at 11-3.

"It was a boost for us, especially for Gracie. She has been struggling the last couple of games. She is really a key player for us," Briones said.

The loss put the Tiger Cubs at 3-7 on the season, 1-2 in WIC play. Greencastle will travel to Tri-West for a non-conference game today.

"We have a young team, we will get better. Sullivan is a good team and they played well," Briones said.

Foster led the way with two hits and two RBI, including the home run. Mundy had the other extra-base hit for the Tiger Cubs.

Greencastle 200 000 1 -- 3

Sullivan 002 043 2 -- 11

WP -- Pirtle. LP -- Mundy. 2B --Mundy (G), Wardell (S), Steele (S). HR -- Foster (G).