Adams drives in five to lead Indians rout

Updated: March 30, 2011 3:04PM

ST. JOHN - Seeing Nikki Adams stroll to the plate with a bat in her hands must be a scary sight for a pitcher.

Talk about uncomfortable.

A bat in the junior third baseman's possession should be considered a lethal weapon - since it usually proves fatal to the opposition.

All Adams did in Lake Central's season opener against Munster on Tuesday was go 3-for-3 and drive in five runs, leading the Indians to a 10-0 win over the Mustangs (1-1).

"I was seeing it really well and I got a new bat," Adams smiled. "I was in a good spot in the order and I just wanted to come through for my team. I did what I had to do to help my team win."

Lake Central coach Jeff Sherman loves seeing Adams with a bat in her hands and runners on base.

"There aren't too many more people I'd want up to the plate than Nikki Adams," he said. "I feel sure that something good is going to happen when she's at the plate and the bases are loaded. In a big situation, she's proven she's going to come through for us."

Adams smacked a two-run single in a seven-run third inning, which also included a run-scoring double by Jess Haskins and a pinch-hit two-run single by sophomore Andriana Bribiesca.

With seven runs and six hits in the frame, the Indians turned a 1-0 lead into an 8-0 advantage, giving LC starter Bridget Boyle, who allowed only one hit in three innings, the victory.

"We don't feel like there's a weak spot in our order," Sherman said. "We've got power hitters in the lineup, and, at the same time, people who can play small ball. We really feel like we've got people at every position who can do something to help us win."

Munster coach Beth Thornburg admitted it was a tough day for her Mustangs, particularly starter Carly Murphy, who allowed eight runs on eight hits in three innings.

"This is the first year that we haven't had any experience returning on the mound," she said. "Our pitching is definitely going to have to improve as the season goes on, but that's why we play the games. I thought she (Murphy) threw a lot more strikes today. Now, she just needs to work on ball movement and hitting her spots."

Lake Central, which had to rally to beat Munster and capture its first sectional title since 2006 late last May, was on cruise control Tuesday.

"I think we knew we wanted to send a message today,'' Adams said. "We wanted everyone to know that we're coming after them no matter who you are.''

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