Sports Archives — The Altamont Enterprise, May 14, 2009
Lady Bulldogs softball loses a tight game to Galway
By Jordan J. Michael
BERNE –– The attitude of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo softball team didn’t change from start to finish.
The Bulldog players left home field with heads held high on Monday, even after dropping a close game to Galway, 6-4.
“This is the best season we’ve had in a while,” Head Coach Mike Reynolds said of his 7-5 team. “Their heads are in the game and it’s been a very positive experience. We went in with a good attitude and left with one.”
Emily Martin got on base in the second inning for Galway when she singled off of Danielle Krueger. Martin went on to steal second base and then continued to steal third. Tatyana Rodriguez bunted Martin in for a 1-to-0 lead.
Rodriguez stole second base and third just like her previous teammate did. Krueger walked Brielle Matthews and she eventually ended up on second base. Rachel Mueller singled for the Eagles and Rodriguez scored, but Mueller was thrown out at home. It was 2 to 0.
Krueger found herself in a jam with the bases loaded and Kate Lasek scored another Galway run when Kivea Reynolds misjudged a pop-up to short. Krueger got Michelle Cruden to strike out and the Eagles led, 3-0.
“We moved some girls around to different positions today, so it took a couple plays to adjust,” Mike Reynolds said. “Galway is always a tough team to play.”
Bridget Hurst started BKW’s second inning with a double to center field. Megan Sprung was called out on a bunt attempt because she stepped on home plate. Jennifer Crounse singled in Hurst to cut the lead to 3 to 1.
Krueger found herself in another bases-loaded jam with one out in the third inning. Galway slipped in a run before Krueger got Kathleen Donnelly to pop out and Jerrianne Whittmore to line a hit straight to a waiting Reynolds. The lead was 4 to 1.
“Galway went to a short game and it caught our defense off guard,” said Mike Reynolds. “We need to work more on bunt defense after today. It was a smart move by them. Everyone on that team knows how to bunt.”
A tight game
Reynolds and Becky Amedio both drew walks for the Bulldogs in the third. After a few outs, Hurst walked to load the bases. Mueller had a wild pitch for the Eagles and Reynolds scored, making it 4 to 2.
Both teams had a quiet fourth inning and Krueger made quick work of Galway in the fifth with two strikeouts. “Krueger is pitching wonderfully for a ninth grader,” Mike Reynolds said. “All the bunting caused confusion.”
BKW stepped to the plate in the fifth inning and tied the game, 4-4. It started with a Lacey Yakel single to right and was followed by a Tomi-Lee Springer triple to deep left-center field. Springer tried to score on a grounder by Hurst, but was thrown out at the plate.
Hurst made it all the way to third base and was eventually driven in by a Sprung single that floated over the first base. The game was all tied up, but not for long.
Ceara Poulin came into the game for the Eagles and was walked to start the sixth inning. Poulin made it all the way home to break the tie after a throwing error on Whittmore’s bunt down the line. Becca Wilday bunted in Whittmore and the score was 6 to 4.
“I think we saw a lot of situations today that we don’t normally see and it cost us a few runs,” said Mike Reynolds. “Sometimes the situation controls you when you should be controlling the situation.”
Krueger had another bases-loaded situation in the seventh after a few walks and a hit. Sprung saved the day with two outs by making a diving snow-cone catch in center field off Poulin’s bat to end the inning. The Bulldog bench erupted after the huge play.
“I saw the ball go towards Crounse, but she wasn’t coming in, so I raced to where I thought the ball would drop,” said Sprung after the game. “I did a little dive and roll and somehow held on to the ball. I almost made my coach cry because everyone was so happy. The game would have been over if I didn’t catch it.”
BKW was looking for a comeback win in the bottom of the seventh, but couldn’t get the bats going. Amedio lined out, and Yakel and Springer both popped out to end the game.
“We really need to work on our timing in the batter’s box,” said Mike Reynolds. “We were making contact but it takes us too long to get used to a new pitcher.”
Coach Reynolds told The Enterprise that he’s confident in the team making sectionals. “It’s all about attitude and everyone seems to want it,” he said.