South Putnam defeats North Putnam in softball action
South Putnam took advantage of an early North Putnam miscue to maintain their second-place WCC standing, as they emerged with a narrow 2-0 victory Monday.
After North was able to place runners at second and third in the opening frame, South's Samantha Tomasino was able to get the Cougars' Carlye McGaughey to fly out to left field ending the threat.
In the bottom of the first, the Eagles' Krystal Welch led off with a bunt single, which was followed by a free pass to South's number two hitter, Samantha Stanifer. The runners both advanced on stolen bases, but North Putnam's Taylor Judy was able to retire the next two hitters to seemingly get out of the jam. When Katelyn Sibbitt popped lazily to second, it seemed that the Cougars had escaped any damage, but North's Ashley Doyle was unable to make the play, allowing both Welch and Stanifer to score. The unearned runs were the only tallies of the game for either squad.
South never again mounted a serious threat, as Judy pitched an outstanding game, allowing only three hits and striking out six.
North had several opportunities in the ballgame collecting seven hits, and advancing runners into scoring position three more times after the first inning. Tomasino, who picked up the victory and Oceaia Boetjer, who collected the save after coming on to relieve Tomasino in the sixth, did what they had to do and effectively shut down North when the game was on the line.
North Putnam coach Jim Brothers was at a loss to explain his team's inability to come through with plays when they needed to be made: "It's the story of our season," said Brothers. "We just can't seem to string hits together when we need them."
The Eagles' skipper Evonne Canary was thankful to get a conference victory: "We knew going in it was going to be difficult, (but) our girls kept their composure. I'm very pleased with the way we played."
With the victory, South moves to 9-1 on the season (6-1 WCC). North Putnam falls to 5-5 overall (2-5 WCC). They are in action again this afternoon at North Putnam. Game time is 4:30 p.m.
At South Putnam
North Putnam | 000 000 0 -- 0 7 1 |
South Putnam | 200 000 X -- 2 3 2 |
WP -- Tomasino
LP -- Judy
Save - Boetjer
2B - Ashley Doyle (NP), Tomasino (SP)
Next game -- South Putnam visits North Putnam at 4:30 p.m. today.