The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Big Reds bounce back to rout Rams
Close loss to Riverview followed by 11-3 win; Milan 2-2
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 17, 2008
The Milan varsity softball team bounced back from a tough 6-5 loss to Riverview in extra innings last week to thump Flat Rock 11-3 on Tuesday.
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The Big Reds (2-2) battled the Pirates through 10 innings April 9 before Riverview was able to push across the winning run in the bottom of the inning.
"It was a well matched game," said coach Jen Jackson. "The girls never let up."
Sarah Heath pitched a complete game, striking out three and only giving up three walks.
"After you fight for 10 innings, it's tough to lose like that," said Heath, "but they were the home team and that last at-bat really helped them. We'll get them next time."
Jackson had no complaints about the Big Reds offense.
Senior Tori Turner went 3-for-5 with two doubles and catcher Ashley Beal went 3-for-4. Lani Ernst had a double and freshman Nena Doran had two, going 3-for-4. Vanessa Garcia went 2-for-3 and Heath and Stephanye Quinn each had a hit.
"We put together 14 hits," Jackson said. "It's very encouraging that we continued to push for runs."
It was a different story against Flat Rock on Tuesday.
The Big Reds jumped out to an early 3-0 lead before the Rams staged their first of two serious threats. The lead-off hitter in the top of the third tripled. The next batter bunted foul for a third strike and then third baseman Doran charged the plate and dove to catch a popped up bunt for the second out.
A sharp hit to deep short forced Ernst to make a long one-bounce throw to first that was scooped up by Turner to end the inning.
In their half of the inning, the Big Reds pushed across four more runs on doubles by Beal and Ernst, an error, singles from Doran and Garcia, and an RBI from Emily Rukkila.
Flat Rock scored once in the fourth and then twice in the sixth to make it 7-3. Heath got back-to-back strikeouts with runners at second and third to end the threat in the sixth.
"We're doing better this year jumping out to early leads," said Heath, "which really helps as a pitcher."
Milan scored four more runs in its half of the inning on hits from Beal and Ernst and a triple to right by Heath.
Jackson was enthusiastic about Milan's offensive production.
"It was exciting to see because our offense is stronger than it was last year and that paired with our improved defense is going to help us win games," she said.
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