The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Saline sweeps Monroe Jefferson
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 10, 2008
After a couple of canceled games because of cold and snow, the Saline varsity softball team busted out the gate Tuesday with two commanding wins in its season-opening doubleheader against Monroe Jefferson.
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Where other area teams seemed to struggle with the lack of practice time outside, the softball team didn't appear to miss a beat, chalking up 6-1 and 8-1 wins.
"It's great to have this kind of positive momentum from the outset," said coach Dawn Whitford. "I'm pretty happy. It's a great way to get the season started."
The Hornets came up with 10 hits in the first game, including two from Katy Black, Alissa Robison and Katie Chapman. Black and Robison drove in five of Saline's six runs.
Saline broke a 0-0 tie in the bottom of the second when Chapman led off with a sharp single between third and short and advanced to second on a fielder's choice. Joanne Walker walked, as did Emily Oulette, to load the bases for Black.
With two outs, she sent a shot to center to score Chapman and Walker, who slid under a high throw to the plate.
Alissa Robison got her first RBI of the game, driving in Ouellette to put the Hornets up 3-0.
Monroe Jefferson's only serious threat came in the fifth when the team got runners at first and second with no outs.
A popped bunt attempt was pocketed by a sliding Haley Stevens from first base for the first out. Leftfielder Amara Karapas flagged down a deep drive over her left shoulder for the second, and senior pitcher Lisa Brophy got one of her five strikeouts to end the threat.
"This team has a lot of composure and character all ready," Whitford said. "Everyone one my kids contributed today in one way or another."
With an errorless defense behind her, Lisa Brophy allowed only five hits and walked one.
Saline scored three more runs in the sixth - with two outs — to put the game out of reach.
In the second game, the Hornets went up 1-0 in the first before the Bears tied the score in the second. In their half of the inning, the Hornets took a 3-1 lead, where it stood until sixth.
In an almost rerun of the first game, Saline scored five runs with two outs.
Walker led the inning off with a double down the leftfield line. After Karapas and Stevens flew out, Lindsey Fairchild Ouellette produced back-to-back singles and Lindsy Robison came up with a screaming double. Her sister, Alissa Robison, then drove a deep shot to center, scoring when two Monroe Jefferson players violently collided.
The game was called when emergency medical personnel were brought in to tend to the injured Bears.
Whitford was pleased with her team's all-around performance.
"They all stepped up," she said "It was fun to watch."
The Hornets next take on Salem in an exhibition game Thursday before a week's hiatus leading up to their league opener against Pioneer April 17.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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