The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Young guns
Freshmen thrust into lineup as Big Reds pick up victory
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 1, 2008
The Milan varsity softball team scored two runs in the bottom of the first to take a 2-1 lead over New Boston Huron on Monday, and never scored again.
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But then neither did the Chiefs.
A strong pitching performance from freshman Kat Hoffman and solid defense conceded only three more hits to New Boston.
Two of those hits were back-to-back singles in the second and represented New Boston's only real threat of the game after scoring a run in the first on an RBI-double.
Milan quickly dispatched the threat, however, getting a popout to freshman third baseman Vanessa Garcia and back-to-back strikeouts.
Hoffman, who was called up from the junior varsity squad after pitcher Lani Ernst went down with an injury, struck out 14, baffling the Chiefs with a devastating change-up. She gave up only one walk.
"She pitched a strong game," said coach Jen Jackson. "Her change-up was very effective."
The Big Reds scored their two runs in the first after senior Tori Turner led off by beating out an infield hit and Garcia got on off an error. The runners advanced on a wild pitch and junior catcher Ashley Beal made New Boston pay for its mistakes with a slicing double to left center.
Turner went 3-for-3 on the day, including a double.
Sarah Heath and Emily Rukila each recorded a hit.
It was a big win for Milan, which is still adjusting to the loss of Ernst and is fielding a young infield. The left side of the diamond was made up of freshman with Garcia at third, Hoffman on the mound and Nena Doran at short.
Co-captain Beal said the infield's youth required her and Turner to provide leadership and experience on defense.
"Tori at first and me behind the plate provides some stability," she said. "We have a very young infield. Tori and I can't get down. We have to be there."
The New Boston win is Milan's second one-run game of the week.
The Big Reds played the equivalent of two games April 23, losing a heartbreaker 5-4 to Monroe Jefferson in 14 innings.
The Big Reds jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first when Beal scored on a passed ball following a double by Heath and a RBI single from Doran that scored Heath.
Milan came right back and scored two more runs in the second on a RBI single from Garcia that scored Hoffman and a sacrifice fly from Beal that drove in Barbara Hubbard.
Garcia went 2-for-4 and Doran had two RBI. Hoffman and Hubbard had two hits each.
Heath didn't allow a run until the sixth, striking out five, walking one and giving up only one hit.
Down 4-1, Jefferson rallied in the bottom of the seventh for three runs to tie the game and force extra innings.
Hoffman pitched eight innings, striking out 14, walking three and allowing only two hits, but the Bears plated a run in the bottom of the 14th to get the win.
Defensive miscues proved costly for Milan, Jackson said.
"We're still adjusting to some changes in our lineup," she said, referring to the shuffling that has taken place following Ernst's injury.
The Jefferson game was the second extra-innings defeat for the Big Reds this season. Milan suffered a 6-5 loss to Riverview in 10 innings April 9.
"It's very tough when we're not squeaking (these games) out," Jackson said.
The close win over New Boston represents Milan's commitment to concentrate on one play at a time, Beal said.
"We're really focusing on playing the inning," Beal said. "We don't plan for more innings and try not to think too far ahead."
The Big Reds are now 7-5 overall and 2-3 in league play.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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