Steinbach, Ryan home runs pace 59ers

Updated: April 29, 2011 12:24AM

MERRILLVILLE — Rainouts had the Andrean softball team practicing for a week without any competition. That practice paid off in the form of a 7-1 win over conference rival Griffith on Thursday.

“Our team was getting so tired of hitting in the cages,” Andrean (5-1, 5-0 NCC) coach Henry Ryan said. “But it let us work on our fundamentals, like our bunting, and I think that helped us a lot today. It keeps the defense honest.”

The 59ers’ biggest shots came from the bats of Kelly Ryan, who hit a solo home run to open the scoring in the second, and Nicole Steinbach, who hit a two-run homer in the third.

“The middle of our lineup really came through today,” Henry Ryan said. “Kelly came through, Nicole came through, Kaitlin Barajas was 3-for-4. Having those hitters in a row doesn’t allow our opponents to pitch around them.”

Steinbach also came through with another big performance in the circle. She went the distance for the 59ers, striking out 14 Griffith hitters while scattering three hits and two walks for the complete game victory.

The last time Griffith and Andrean met, Steinbach and Griffith’s Alex Latronica staged a fierce pitching duel that was scoreless going into extra innings. This time, though, Andrean’s offense provided Steinbach with early support.

“It helped a lot. It lets me know that my team has my back when they’re putting runs on the board,” said Steinbach.

“You just have to concentrate on having good at-bats,” Griffith coach Ed McLeod said. “And hopefully, that gets your team going. Steinbach is a good pitcher. She’s going to make adjustments to us, so we’re going to have to make adjustments to her.”

Griffith’s biggest offensive threat came in the fifth inning, when Kristi Buxton led off with a double. Steinbach then struck out the next two Panthers before Jaime Rex lifted a single that allowed Buxton to score, breaking the shutout.

But Andrean quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning. After two quick outs, Andrean loaded the bases for Johnee Rodish, who lifted a single into short right field, scoring two runs and putting the 59ers ahead 5-1.

Latronica pitched all six innings for Griffith, striking out nine batters and issuing just one walk. But the Andrean offense tagged her for six earned runs on 11 hits.

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