Greencastle softball blanks Chargers in 5 innings

Monday, May 3, 2010
Mallory Miller

GREENCASTLE -- Since the beginning of the season, Greencastle softball coach Robin Knapp has been preaching team chemistry.

With five underclassmen, the team has been struggling to find that chemistry -- but now, at 5-9 on the season, they may just be beginning to find it.

The Lady Tiger Cubs beat North Montgomery High School Saturday 10-0 in five innings. The Tiger Cubs made quick work of the Chargers with the game lasting one hour and 13 minutes.

Under threatening skies, the team came out and executed in every aspect of the game, led by junior pitcher Mallory Miller who struck out nine of the 17 batters she faced on the day, giving up no walks and no runs.

"We have been focusing on coming out with the same energy every inning," said Knapp. "Today they executed every inning."

With two outs in the second inning, North Montgomery senior pitcher Trisha Dillon faced eight more batters in the inning after sophomore Jessie Bennett reached first base on a single to center. Bennett then stole second and third bases to get into scoring position.

A triple to right field by sophomore Taylor Pruitt scored the first two runs of the inning. She later scored after a single by Jordyn Lewis. Miller, Lewis and Kaytlynn Beaman also scored in the inning.

After her big inning, Miller went out and struck out the first three batters in the top of the third inning. Dillon had a good bottom of the third inning, getting the side out in order.

"Miller is a pretty tough pitcher she had the right stuff today," said Knapp. "She had good control of her change-up."

The Chargers then missed a great opportunity in the top of the fourth, leaving the first two hitters stranded at second and third after they reached scoring position with no outs.

The Tiger Cubs scored four more runs in the bottom of the fourth on four hits, giving the Tiger Cubs 10 runs.

With less than a month until sectionals begin, Knapp said the team still needs to work on a few things and continue to build the chemistry that is needed to win.

"Our upper classmen have been very supportive of the younger girls all season," said Knapp.

At Greencastle

NM -- 000 00 -- 0

GHS -- 060 4x -- 10

Greencastle -- M. Miller (pitcher) 3 hits, 9 strikeouts, no walks; offense 2-3, 1 run; J. Lewis 2-3, 2 runs; K. Beaman 2-3, 2 runs; K. Downing 2-3, 1 run; R. Seahorn 2-3, 1 run; J. Bennett 1-3, 1 run; S. White 0-3; E. Beck 1-3, 1 run; T. Pruitt 2-2, 1 run.

N. Montgomery -- T. Dillon (pitcher) 12 hits, 2 strikeouts, 1 walk, 2 hit batters; offense 1-2; K. McIntyre 1-2; E. Lingen 0-2; K. Powell 0-2; CJ Trippett 0-2; B. Townsend 1-2; M. Carpenter 0-2; K. Cogdill 0-2; C. McKinney 0-1