The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Tecumseh Topples
Hornets split vs. defending champs
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 8, 2008
In the second inning of the Saline varsity softball team's opener against Southeastern Conference foe Tecumseh last Thursday, junior Hornet second baseman Haley Stevens ran into short right field and basket caught a soft pop fly over her shoulder.
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It was a defensive effort that would typify the Hornets' performance for the next five innings, leading them to an important - and confidence-building — 5-1 win over the defending Division 2 state champs.
The first game of the doubleheader in Tecumseh was a defensive tussle.
Knotted at 1-1 through five, the Hornet offense finally cracked the Indians in the top of the sixth when sophomore Kaitlin Ward singled to left to lead off the inning.
Junior Lindsy Robison followed with her second hit of the game and junior Joanna Walker loaded the bases with a bunt single.
Junior Amara Karapas came through huge with a bloop single that put Saline up 2-1 and then Stevens executed a perfect suicide squeeze to score Lindsy Robison.
That drove Tecumseh's starting pitcher from the mound, but Saline wasn't done yet.
Senior catcher Katy Black delivered a two-run single to put the Hornets up four.
Senior pitcher Lisa Brophy did the rest, not allowing a Tecumseh runner in the sixth and seventh. On the game, she struck out one and gave up only two hits, but walked seven.
Emily Ouellette went 2-for-4 and Ward had a double.
Even though Tecumseh's offense would resurrect in nightcap to earn them a 7-2 win, the 5-1 victory was a highlight of the Hornet season, said coach Dawn Whitford.
"It was a huge confidence booster for the kids," Whitford said. "This team has come a long way."
Saline scored first in the second game with a run in the opening inning, but Tecumseh tied it in their half and went on to score again in the fourth, three times in the fifth and twice in the sixth.
Saline could not mount the offense for a comeback.
"In a game like that, you can't dig yourself into a hole," Whitford said.
Ouellette again went 2-for-4 and Ward had another double. Black, Stevens, Lindsy Robison and Amanda Laurent all collected hits.
It was the first time Saline has split with the Indians since 2004. Tecumseh swept the Hornets in 2005 and 2006 and pulled out a 2-1 extra-inning win last year.
On Monday, the Hornets made short order of Lincoln, sweeping the Railsplitters 22-7 in three and 10-0 in five.
Despite her team's offensive dominance in the doubleheader, Whitford said she wasn't happy with giving up seven runs to Lincoln in three innings.
"We didn't play Saline softball," she said. "We can't be complacent. That's my fear in playing a team you know you should beat."
The Railsplitters took a 3-0 lead in the first, but Saline quickly snatched the lead back, scoring four in its half of the inning.
After that, it was a slugfest.
Lindsy Robison went 3-for-4 with a double, a homerun, and four RBI. Karapis had two hits, including a homerun, and drove in five runs. Alyssa Robison, Ward and Laurent each had a double, and Lindsey Fairchild and Walker hit triples. Black went 3-for-3 and Katie Chapman scored two runs.
In the five-inning nightcap, it was more of the same.
Walker hit for the cycle, tripling in the first, doubling in the second, and homering in the third. With Saline up 9-0 heading into the fifth, Walker was the fourth batter - and almost wasn't needed.
Katie Chapman and Fairchild led off with singles. With runners at the corners, Stevens walked to load the bases, giving Walker a shot at completing the cycle.
She singled to drive in the final run.
Black went 3-3 with two double and two RBI, while Ward had a double and a triple with three RBI. Laurent also had a double and Karapis ripped a triple.
The Hornets are now 17-4 and next face Blissfield at home Thursday.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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