Eagles explode on Bulldogs for win

LIZTON -- Krystal Welch sparked a potent South Putnam offense with five hits, three RBIs and four runs scored and Samantha Tomasino and Oceaia Boetjer combined to pitch a shutout in an overpowering 20-0 victory over Monrovia in a five-inning first round 2A Sectional softball game Wednesday at Tri-West Hendricks.

The Eagles (20-3) advance to tonight's second round against North Putnam, which defeated Cascade 1-0 Wednesday, at Tri-West.

Welch, a fleet-footed left-handed hitting center fielder, had two bunt singles and three shots thorugh the middle of the infield for her five hits in five at bats. In the second inning, the sophomore scored easily from second base on a wild pitch.

"She did an awesome job," South Putnam coach Evonne Canary said. "It's what she's been doing all season, getting on base and scoring runs. She's so-o-o fast."

The Eagles had 15 hits and took full advantage of 13 walks, a hit batter and five Monrovia (5-15) errors.

"We hit the ball well tonight," Canary said. "They were ready to play. We wanted to be errorless and hit the ball. Those are the things we need to do throughout the tournament."

Tomasino, a sophomore left-hander, gave up five singles in four innings. She didn't walk a batter or have a strikeout, depending upon a flawless defense to make the plays behind her.

"She did an outstanding job," Canary said.

Boetjer put the Bulldogs down in order in the fifth.

Tomasino also had a two-run single in the first inning to boost South Putnam to a 3-0 lead. She scored on Allysia Lollar's RBI single for a 4-0 advantage after the first.

South Putnam added three runs in the second, with Tomasino delivering another RBI. Welch and Meghan Canary had RBI singles in the third and Canary had another RBI single in the fourth.

Bailey Birt, with a double and a single, and Welch, with a single, each drove in two runs in a seven-run fifth.

Samantha Stanifer walked four times, had a sacrifice bunt and scored three runs and Alex Boyce had two hits and scored three runs for the Eagles.

At Tri-West

Tri-West #46 Softball Sectional

South Putnam 433 37 -- 20 15 0

Monrovia 000 00 -- 0 5 5

Tomasino, Boetjer (5) and Canary; C. Hadley and Dillon.

2B -- Birt (SP)