Saline MI
5-26-2019 1:27am

SOFTBALL: Walker Strikes Out 10 as Saline Blasts Pinckney

The Saline Hornets girls’ softball team ran its win streak to seven when they traveled to Pinckney on Friday and defeated the Pirates 10-1. The win increases the team’s season record to 16-9.

Sophomore Elaina Walker’s pitching won-lost record now stands at 7-5 on the year. Walker gave up one run, scattering three hits over seven innings in the winning effort. Walker struck out a season high ten batters in the victory.

The lady Hornets provided Walker plenty of offensive support, scoring four runs on four hits and a Pinckney error in the first inning.

Walker got things started with a one out double to left. She scored on a double to center by junior Alexandra Pace, the game’s designated player. Pace scored on a double to left-center by senior Kelsey Alexander.

Alexander took third on a wild pitch by the Pirate pitcher and scored when junior Emma Schwartzenberger reached base on an error. Sophomore Isabella Kleinschmidt doubled to right center to score Schwartzenberger.

After the Pirates changed pitchers, the Hornets were retired in order for the next three innings, though Schwartzenberger did get a double on a drive to left in the third.

The Hornets sent nine batters to the plate in the fifth, scoring three more runs.

Pace drew a one out walk and took third on a single by Alexander. Pace scored when Schwartzenberger singled. Both Alexander and Schwartzenberger stole bases, to give the Hornets runners at second and third with one out. Sophomore Abigail Kleinschmidt singled to score Alexander and Schwartzenberger scored on an infield hit by junior Cody McPeek.

It was 7-0 Saline at the end of five.

The Hornets scored three more in the sixth. Walker again got things started with a single to center. Pace hit a sacrifice bunt with Walker racing all the way to third base on the play. Walker scored on a single by Alexander that hit the Pinckney pitcher in the arm, on its way into center field.

Alexander stole second on the very next pitch and was driven home when Schwartzenberger hit a 3-1 pitch to deep left for a double. Junior Isabella Darmos knocked in the Hornets’ tenth and final run on two out single to left.

The Pirates managed to score their lone run in the bottom of the sixth. They put together two singles, to go with a Hornet error to put the score at 10-1 going into the final inning.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Walker hit a Pirate batter to put a runner on first. Then on a 1 ball 2 strike pitch, catcher Alexander grabbed a foul pop up for the final out.

Saline Head Coach Alicia Seegert was very pleased with her team’s performance. “This was one of Walker’s better games. She was in command of her pitches and threw very well.”

“We also played good defense behind her and got timely hits.” Seegert continued, “this was an emotional day for our seniors as it was their last day of school. Many had tears in their eyes as they left school for the last time. It was a good day for the seniors.”

The Hornets will host the Ann Arbor Huron River Rats in a pre-district game on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Hornet Stadiium. The team will host the Dexter Dreadnaughts on Wednesday at 4 p.m. in a make-up game. Then on Thursday, the lady Hornets will travel to Clinton to play a doubleheader against the Redskins. Games are scheduled for 4 & 6 p.m.

 

SALINE POST THREE STARS:

1st Star: Kelsey Alexander (3 runs scored, 3 hits, 2 RBIs, 2 stolen bases)

2nd Star: Emma Schwartzenberger (3 runs scored, 3 hits, 2 RBIs, 1 stolen base)

3rd Star: Elaina Walker (2 runs scored, 1 hit, 1 RBI, 1 walk, the pitching win & 10 strike outs)

 

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