The Milan News-Leader
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Big Reds win invitational in South Lyon, fall to SMCC
Bats come up big during recent hot streak over six games
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 24, 2008
The Milan varsity softball team has scored 54 runs in its last six games, going 4-2 and recording two shutouts in an offensive explosion.
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The Big Reds swept Lincoln, 13-0 and 18-1 earlier in the week. Sarah Heath and Lani Ernst each pitched a one-hitter, chalking up nine and seven strikeouts, respectively.
In the opener, the Big Reds scored seven runs in the second and in the nightcap they plated nine runs in the third.
"Everybody hit real well," said coach Jen Jackson.
Which is an understatement.
Collecting two hits in the first game were Lani Ernst, Nena Doran, Ashley Beal, Amelia Budny and Erin Costello, who in addition to a double blasted her first home run, a bomb over the left center field.
Tori Turner, Vanessa Garcia, and Barbara Hubbard each had three hits. Garcia and Turner each had triples.
In the nightcap, it was more of the same, with Budny collecting four hits, Garcia, Heath and Hubbard three, and Turner and Stephanye Quinn two a piece.
Coming off the slugfest, the Big Reds stormed into to seize the South Lyon Invitatioal title by defeating Farmington Hills Harrison 8-1 and Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard 12-0 before falling 4-1 to host South Lyon.
"Our bats cooled a bit," said Jackson of the loss to South Lyon. "When we're relaxed and not pressing, we hit very well. We're very good hitters when we don't think about it too much."
On the day, Turner pounded out seven hits, including two home runs, two triples and two doubles.
On the downside, shortstop Ernst injured her leg in the first inning of the Farmington Hills game and is out indefinitely, a blow to a team that was hitting its stride.
Jackson said the injury requires her to retool the defense, possibly moving freshman Doran from third to short and bringing in freshman Garcia from center to play third.
The changes will take some time to get used to, Jackson said.
"I think we went from being assured and confident and aggressive on defense to being a little more tentative," she said. "When you lose a player like Lani, it's a curve ball you don't expect and we've had to jockey our defense. I think we can bounce back because we've got good bats and we're working hard."
Freshman pitcher Kat Hoffman made her varsity debut at the tournament, pitching three innings against Farmington Hills. She went on to earn her first win against Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, striking out nine and allowing only two hits and one walk.
In the midst of adjusting to a lineup without Ernst's glove and bat, the Big Reds fell 10-2 to St. Mary Catholic Central Monday night. Turner had two doubles and Hoffman had two hits.
Milan is now 6-4 overall and 1-2 in the Huron League.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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