The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Resilient Milan falls 8-7, 7-3 in double-header
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 19, 2007
Maybe the Big Reds haven't always outscored their opponents in the first four games of the season, but they have always out-hit them, and that, according to first-year coach Jen Jackson, bodes well.
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Milan dropped a doubleheader to Chelsea last Friday, 8-7 and 7-3, but bounced back Tuesday by sweeping Dexter 2-1 and 9-0.
Milan battled back from a deficit to take the lead a couple times in the first close game against the Bulldogs and Jackson was encouraged to see the Big Reds not lose heart.
"It was terrific to see them not give up," she said.
The Big Reds out-hit Chelsea 10-7, but left 12 runners on base.
Sophomore Sarah Heath pitched a complete game, striking out seven.
At the forefront of the offense were Ashley Beal, who went 3-for-4 with three runs, and Lani Ernst, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI, and two runs.
In the second game, Milan's offense dipped, coming up with only three runs on eight hits, but on the mound Ernst only allowed Chelsea five hits, striking out six. She also went 2-for-4 from the plate and scored once. Kaylin Crump went 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
"We came away extremely encouraged," said Jackson of the doubleheader. "We just need to get better at finishing."
The Big Reds got better at it four days later when they swept Dexter.
Heath earned her first win of the year, allowing a mere three hits in the 2-1 victory. She struck out eleven and gave up only one walk, pitching a no-hitter until the seventh.
"[Heath] threw very well," said Jackson.
The Big Reds scored twice in the fourth to take a 2-1 lead, but the Dreadnaughts threatened in the in their last at-bats, stringing together their three hits and putting the tying run on third.
The Big Red defense squelched the threat and "finished it."
"They really beared down and won the game," said Jackson.
The nightcap wasn't as much a nailbiter.
On her way to her first shutout on the varsity squad, Ernst struck out 13, allowing just two hits and five walks.
"She had a lot of pop in her pitch," said Jackson.
Offensively, the Big Reds compiled 10 hits, led by Tori Turner, who went 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Beal went 3-for-4 with a double, while the pitching tandem of Ernst and Heath each had two RBI.
While drawing encouragement from the season's first four games, Jackson said she intends to challenge the team to improve.
"We want a constant reminder that we're not going to settle," she said. "You have to continue to improve."
The Big Reds (2-2) opened Huron League play at home Wednesday against Riverview.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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