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Green Wave takes two from Hampshire
Updated: April 30, 2011 9:33PM
St. Edward kept the good times going on a windy Saturday afternoon, earning a softball doubleheader sweep over Hampshire.
The Green Wave overcame a shaky defensive effort for a 6-5 Game 1 win, and then used timely hitting for a 5-4 triumph in Game 2. The Wave has now won 10 of its last 11 games.
“We’ve got a mix of young players and older players, and we’re really starting to mesh well and play well together,” said first-year St. Edward coach Jaci Corn.
Senior Sarah Field (9-7) went the distance in Game 1, allowing just one earned run while striking out nine in an error-plagued game.
Trailing 2-0, the Whip-Purs scored three runs in the bottom of the second without recording a hit. Tiffany Bentley ((1-for-4, run), Elisa Wood and Kendall Walker each scored as the Whips took advantage of six errors in the inning.
The Wave (10-7) retook the lead for good in the top of the third. Veronica Rolando pushed an RBI single to right field, and Ana Peterson scored on an error to put St. Edward up 4-3.
The Wave increased its lead to 6-3 in the top of the fifth thanks to a wild pitch that brought in two runs.
Hampshire (3-14) gave the Wave a scare in the top of the fifth. Katie Mazur (2-for-4) and Grace Jakubowski (2-for-4) each had an RBI single to cut the deficit to 6-5. The Whips had the bases loaded with one out but Field got out of the jam by striking out the next two batters. The Whips also stranded a runner at second base to end the game.
“It was rough at first but we played through it and came back together,” Field said. “We knew what we had to do and everyone picked each other up.”
Kali Kossakowski led off the game with a home run to left-center field on an 0-2 offering and Rolando later scored on a fielder’s choice.
Jen Hurst (2-8) got the tough-luck loss, allowing just one earned run with four strikeouts.
“Jen pitched a heck of a game,” said Hampshire coach Ken Bram. “We made some mistakes behind her. We were also missing some players today, but we played as hard as we could.”
Hampshire and St. Edward each saw its No. 2 pitchers perform exceedingly well in Game 2. However, the Wave was able to come through offensively when it needed to most. Tied at 3 in the top of the seventh, Rolando, a senior, ripped a two-out, two-run double down the left field line to put her team up 5-3.
“She’s been hitting the ball really hard,” Corn said. “It’s always just been at someone, but that time it finally hit an open area and brought those two runs in.”
Ally Bosley led off the bottom of the seventh with a base hit and came around to score on a fielder’s choice, but the Whips weren’t able to get to get another runner on.
Wood allowed seven hits and four earned runs in a complete-game effort for Hampshire. Meanwhile, freshman Julie Larson earned the win in her first start of the year. She gave up three earned runs and walked just one batter.
“It’s really promising to see that,” Field said. “She did a really great job. I’m proud of the way she pitched.”
Tarah McShane got the offense started for the Wave with a two-run blast to center field in the first inning. Christina Potempa went 2-for-4 with a double in each game to lead the Hampshire offense.
“We played much better in the second game and overall I’m pleased with how we played today,” Bram said. “St. Edward is a really solid team and is playing well.”
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