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Foxes, Rhodes tame Panthers
Updated: April 30, 2011 10:06PM
OSWEGO — Winning ugly is still winning.
Despite leaving 12 runners on base and numerous chances to put the game away early squandered, the Yorkville Foxes still were able to get by Oswego 3-1 in a non-conference softball matchup on Saturday.
Fielding was a challenge for both teams as a stiff wind that blew in and toward the first base side. Each coach alerted their kids prior to the game that they should take nothing for granted in the field.
“We don’t practice in conditions like this a whole lot so all we can tell the girls is run everything out and make adjustments to the wind,” Yorkville coach Kathi Dockstader said. “We got plenty of people on but we just couldn’t capitalize and score runs. We had like 16 or 17 hits against Rochelle yesterday and we have only seven today. We have to find some consistency. ”
Lauren Rhodes made up for the lack of offensive efficiency by turning in a solid pitching performance. The junior went the distance giving up one run (unearned) on just two hits while striking out eight.
The win was a much-needed one for Rhodes, who has been battling tendinitis in her hip throughout the season.
“This is a very big confidence-builder for me and I felt pretty good out there,” Rhodes said. “Would I have liked to have a bigger cushion out there so I know I could give up runs and still have a big lead? Sure I would. But it happens and you just pitch through it.”
An RBI groundout by Heidi Dockstader got the Foxes (10-8) on the board in the second. In the third, Rhodes helped her own cause by smacking a hard grounder past a diving Panthers shortstop for an RBI. Yorkville added its final tally in the fourth when Cacey Maciejewski drew a bases-loaded walk.
All of Yorkville’s runs were scored with two outs, a problem that the Panthers have had all season.
“I’m actually not sure what it is with us. I don’t know if it is just bad luck or not. After we get two outs it always seems like the opposing team comes up with a big hit or we commit an error,” Oswego coach Lindsay Hejtmanek said. “I think it gets in your head sometimes.”
Oswego (4-12) finally got on the scoreboard in the seventh with two outs thanks to some help from the Foxes. With a runner on second and two outs, Jessica Clark, who narrowly missed a home run in the fifth inning, popped up a fastball to shallow center field. The Yorkville center fielder misjudged the ball and it hit off of her mitt and fell to the ground, allowing Mallory Brainerd to score.
Rhodes prevented any further drama by striking out Shianne Williams to end the game.
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