Errors play big role in Trojans win

Updated: April 7, 2011 4:04PM

CEDAR LAKE - Just as much as that clutch hit or stellar strikeout can affect the outcome of a game, so too can errors.

The 3-2 Highland softball win over Hanover Central on Tuesday was a prime example.

Offense was a rare commodity with the Trojans getting six hits and the Wildcats two. The reason for those stats is quite simple. Every pitcher that took to the circle riddled the batters.

Highland freshman Lauren Bultema (four innings, two hits, two runs, two walks, and three strikeouts) and the Wildcats freshman Ashley Yoways (seven innings, six hits, three runs, two walks and six striekouts) set an early tempo for a pitchers' duel.

For example, even though Highland leadoff hitter Kylee Hirchak cranked a home run over the center-field wall (which kept sailing until it bounced off the roof of a picnic area at the Cedar Lake Softball Complex), the next three Trojans went down in order. And in the bottom of the first, Bultema fanned a pair, though Hanover scored when Katie Klopp doubled in a run.

"I was just looking for my pitch (which came on a 3-2 count)," Hirchak said. "When we needed to hit most, that's when we did it."

Then came the game-changing errors.

Highland (3-2) took the lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI double from Tori Szabo. The Trojans would've maintained the advantage, but in the bottom of the frame with one out and runners at first and second, an error committed in the infield brought in a Hanover (1-2) run. The score remained tied at 2-2 until the top of the seventh.

After Highland's Leah Podgorny singled, Allison Jorsch reached based on a dropped ball in right field. Three batters later, with the bases juiced (after a Highland batter was walked) Hirchak hit into a fielder's choice, but on an attempted double play, the catcher overshot first base. Podgorny's score sealed the win.

Adding to the outcome for Highland was reliever Tiffany Morton (three innings, six strikeouts, no hits).

"I feel like I got more confident as the game went on," said Morton.

Hanover coach Larry McMillen said his young squad (with only four experienced players) needed to be more aggressive at the plate.

"It upsets a coach to watch a girl take a called third strike (more) than anything else," he said. "We've really stressed that you have to swing the bat to get on base."

In contrast, Highland coach Erin Zeller thinks the Trojans can be more selective.

"We need to be a little more selective about finding our pitch," she said.

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