The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Up-and-coming Milan earns split
With win over Dundee Big Reds equal 2006 win total already
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 3, 2007
Unless an absolute catastrophe strikes, such as North America suddenly plummeting into an ice age, the Milan varsity softball team is in good standing to exceed last season's win total of six.
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The Big Reds defeated Dundee 6-0 in the nightcap of a doubleheader last Friday to earn their sixth win of the year.
Freshman Lani Ernst got the win, striking out five and allowing only two hits. She was helped out by a productive offense that produced three doubles, including one by Ernst herself, and a Tori Turner homerun.
Ashley Beal went 2-for-4 with a double and Kaylin Crump went 1-for-3 and a double.
"We were swinging the bat pretty well," said coach Jen Jackson. "We've been hitting a lot of doubles.
Sarah Heath had two RBI and Heather Beldeyga went 1-for-3.
Milan needed the win as a recharger coming off a 7-4 loss in the opener.
Heath had an uncommonly tough time on the mound, falling behind in the count and giving up nine hits and eight walks.
Dundee scored three in the first and a fourth run in the second. Milan closed the gap to 4-2 with two runs of their own in the second, but Dundee lengthened their lead in the sixth with three runs.
The Big Reds tried to rally in the seventh, scoring twice but came up short.
Milan found help in the long ball with Heath and Crump blasting fence-clearing homeruns. Heath went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Ernst went 2-for-4 with an RBI-double. Beldeyga went 2-for-3.
Milan's bats have thundered this season, but Jackson is cautious about relying on the long ball.
"It can breed over-hitting as well as confidence," she said. "[A homerun] breathes life back into a team, but you have to be careful about getting in the box with the mentality of getting the big hit."
In their third Huron League game of the season, Milan fell 10-0 to St. Mary Catholic Central Monday, despite a strong pitching performance from Ernst, who struck out six, walked three, and gave up only four hits.
Nine of SMCC's 10 runs were unearned. The Big Reds had nine errors.
"It was a pretty bad day," said Jackson. "It was a complete disaster of a game."
Jackson said she hoped the SMCC was a turning point in the season.
"The girls came to practice the next day with a renwed effort and increased focus," said Jackson."
The Big Reds are now 1-2 in the Huron League and 6-6 overall.
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