The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Big Reds stay above .500 in Huron League play
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 24, 2007
In a series of five Huron League games in the span of a week, the Milan varsity softball team proved they are legitimate holders of a better than .500 record and able to contend against all comers.
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The Big Reds went 3-2 on the week, defeating Riverview 8-7 and Jefferson 3-1, while falling to St. Mary Catholic Central 6-2 and splitting a doubleheader with Airport, losing the opener 3-2 but taking the nightcap 5-2.
Against SMCC last Wednesday, Milan atypically struggled at the plate. Lead-off hitter Tori Turner, who has been a workhorse in the batter's box, went 1-for-4 and Lani Ernst, whose had a consistent bat all season, went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
"We just had a hard time hitting the ball," said coach Jen Jackson. "The hits just didn't seem to fall for us."
Ernst took the loss, despite striking out eight, walking four, and only giving up four hits.
The Big Reds came back strong against Riverview on Thursday, though, coming out on the winning end of an 8-7 slugfest.
"The girls hit the ball hard," said Jackson.
Turner was back to her old ways, going 4-for-4 with two RBI. Ernst went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and two RBI. Sarah Heath stroked a double for two RBI in 1-for-3 hitting while Amelia Budny, Heather Beldeyga, and Amber Lindzy each recorded hits. Lindzy also had a stolen base.
The Big Reds scored at least one run in all but the second and seventh. Heath pitched 5-1/3 innings, striking out three, walking five, and giving up 10 hits. In relief, Ernst struck out two and gave up no walks or hits.
"It was a big win because it was a league game," said Jackson. "Any conference win is huge."
The Big Reds didn't let up two days later against Monroe Jefferson in a 3-1 win. Ernst was a force on the mound, pitching a one-hitter and not allowing any earned runs. She struck out eight and only walked three.
"We played very good defense, too," said Jackson.
Milan's offense peppered the field. Everyone was hitting. Turner went 3-for-4, Ernst went 2-for-4, Ashley Beal went 2-for-3 and Heath went 3-for-3. Budny and Lindzy each had hits as well.
In a doubleheader against Airport Monday, a team that came into the games 10-2 in the league, Milan gave them about all they could handle.
The Big Reds lost the opener 3-2 in extra innings. Ernst pitched 6-1/3 innings, giving up eight hits and three walks and striking out seven. Turner went 2-for-4 with a double as did Beal while Ernst had a double. Heath went 2-for-4 and Budny drove in a run.
The nightcap was a different story as Milan came back from being down 2-0 to score once in the fifth and four runs in their half of the sixth.
Turner led the sixth off with a single. Beal laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Turner to second. Ernst tripled Turner home and then scored on a passed ball to take a 3-2 lead. A single by Heath and a Budny walk set up sophomore Emily Rukkila to single in two runs.
"We told the kids between games that the first one was an awesome game but it would mean nothing if we didn't come back and play strong," said Jackson. "They responded."
On the verge of districts, the Big Reds are 13-11 overall and 7-6 in league play.
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