Monday, April 09, 2012
by Robert Audia

WHEELING, W.Va.—A Kat Powell grand-slam was all the offense that the Alderson-Broaddus women’s softball team needed in a 4-0 game one victory, but the Lady Battler bats went cold in game two as A-B earned a split with Wheeling Jesuit, falling 10-1 in the second game.

In game one, both teams struggled to find their offense in the early going, as a Kristi Kellogg single in the first at-bat of the game was the lone hit through two innings.

After Karrissa Ezell was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the 3^rd, Kristi Kellogg reached on an error and Adrienne Daniels loaded the bases on a well-executed bunt single. Kharrisa Renoth reached on a fielder’s choice, as Kayla Rinehart, who pinch ran for Ezell, was thrown out at home. With the bases still loaded, Powell drove home her 6^th home run of the year to give the Lady Battlers (15-16, 5-8 WVIAC) a 4-0 lead that they would never relinquish. The Lady Cardinals (12-26, 1-12) would threaten in bottom of the seventh, as a hit batter and a walk put runners on first and second, but the A-B defense made the routine 1-3 play to get the final out of the game

Powell (5-8) also led the Lady Battlers on the mound, pitching a one-hit shutout while striking out three and walking three in a complete seven innings for the victory. Kellogg was the lone player in the game with multiple hits (2).

Ashley Nichols took the loss for WJU, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits while striking out six and walking two in seven innings. Jarah Ice had the lone hit for the Lady Cardinals.

In the second game, the Lady Battlers (15-17, 5-9) got out to a quick lead, as a Powell single brought Daniels home to score after being hit by a pitch earlier in the inning. However, that would be the Lady Battlers’ only hit of the game. The Lady Cardinals (13-26, 2-12) answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the 1st to take a 2-1 lead and never looked back.

Ali Neace (7-4) took the loss for the Lady Battlers, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out three in three innings of action. Vanessa Bodily faced six batters over the first two-thirds of the 4^th inning, giving up four runs on three hits, while India Stone allowed two runs on two hits before getting the final out of the 4^th.

Brittany Hinz earned the win for WJU, allowing just one run on one hit and striking out six in five innings of action. Lorian Tharp went 3-3 with 3 RBI to lead the Lady Cardinals, while Ice, Erika Jusko, Sydney Mencke, and Katie Lucas each added a pair of hits.

A-B will look to get back on track this Wednesday when they travel to Seton Hill University for a WVIAC doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM.