The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Softball adds four more wins
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 26, 2007
Second chances are really only magical if you seize the shot at redemption. Just ask Hornet catcher Megan Townsend.
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Townsend came to the plate in the bottom of the sixth with the bases loaded and two outs in a 1-1 game against Wyandotte Roosevelt Tuesday afternoon with a shot at glory.
She hit the ball hard -- but right back at the pitcher, who played the sharp bounce and tossed Townsend out at first.
An opportunity had slipped away.
Neither team scored in the seventh, and Saline's defense fended off a threat in the top of the eighth when Roosevelt had runners at second and third with only one out.
A failed bunt attempt gave Saline the second out. Second baseman Katie Chapman then barehanded a glancing shot off pitcher Lisa Brophy's glove and made a quick flick to first, getting the Hornets out of trouble.
Chapman led off Saline's half of the extra-innning with a walk and was bunted to second by Kelsy Smith. Chapman then stole third and Julie Grech walked. Emily Ouellette slapped the ball to third, but Chapman was thrown out trying to score.
And now Townsend had her second chance, again with two outs and runners in scoring position.
Grech and Ouellette advanced on a wild pitch, putting them at second and third. All Townsend needed to do was find grass.
She did, with a line shot between short and second to bring in the winning run.
"I was just looking to get it out of the infield and get the run in," Townsend said. "I was thinking I wanted to come through for Lisa [Brophy]. She had worked so hard for this game. I felt I let her down before [in the sixth]."
The Hornets are now 10-1 after going on to defeat Roosevelt in the nightcap 14-0. They chalked up two shutouts against Lincoln, 14-0 and 11-0, and went 2-1 at the Clinton Invitational on Saturday. The Hornets defeated Springport 9-2 and shutout Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard 9-0 before falling to Clinton in the finals 10-3.
Coach Dawn Whitford is pleased with the strrong start, but not satisfied.
"This confirms that our expectations are within reach," Whitford said. "I think we've proven we've got a great team and can accomplish great things if we keep going."
The Hornets scored 11 runs in the first inning of the top game against Lincoln last Thursday. Ouellette went 3-for-3 with three RBI.
"I think we've batted really well as a team," said Ouellette. "It's sort of put a little spunk in the dugout."
The pitching from the Brophy sisters, Lisa and Kayla, has been strong and consistent, too.
In her last three outings, Lisa Brophy has pitched a no-hitter and a shutout and recorded 24 strikeouts. Kayla Brophy has pitched two shutouts and recorded 35 strikeouts.
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