Fairlawn flattened (05/06/06)

FORT RECOVERY — The Indians’ record belies their talent. They proved as much to the Fairlawn Jets Friday evening.

The Fort Recovery softball team has struggled at times this year. But, it hung with Division IV No. 7 New Bremen Cardinals for six innings Thursday night.

And although Fairlawn entered Friday’s action with nearly twice as many wins as the home team, it was the Indians (8-13) who were in control throughout for an 8-4 victory.

“They had a good effort last night. I was happy with the way they played,” said Osterholt, whose squad will meet host New Bremen again in sectional action Thursday at 5 p.m. “We were right in the ball game the whole time. And tonight they came out loose.”

After a scoreless first inning, the first six Tribe batters reached base in the sixth. Kinsey Wenning opened with a walk, Jennifer Link reached base on an error and Sandra Sudhoff walked to load the bases.

Lauren Wenning then delivered the first Fort Recovery hit of the game, an RBI single to left field. Lori Osterholt and Jodi Tobe followed with back-to-back RBI walks as Fairlawn’s Hillary Trapp struggled to find the plate.

Two more runs scored when left fielder Lauren Steed dropped a hard shot from Kelsie Will.

Two runs in the top of the third inning and one in the fifth pulled the Jets to within 5-3, but they never got any closer.

“That cost us two runs, which might have made it a little closer,” said Fairlawn coach Ronnie Morris of the error. “But we’re just not hitting the ball. We had been averaging 11 runs a game and the last three games we’ve just kind of had our bad three games of the year.”

The Jets (13-5) actually had four more hits than Fort Recovery — 10-6 — but failed to convert. They left at least one runner on base in every inning.

The Indians defense had a lot to do with keeping Fairlawn off the board, especially left fielder Jennalee Post in the fifth inning. With one out in the inning she robbed Rita Cook of what would have been at least a double with a leaping catch just a few feet in front of the left field wall.

Fairlawn put the next three batters on base and scored one run before Post snagged a line drive from Lauren Steed to end the inning.

“I know she can do it,” said Osterholt. “She’s been improving all through the year, just getting better and better. I’ve got confidence in her. She showed it tonight.”

Post also scored a run as 11 of the 12 players who got in the game for Fort Recovery contributed at least one hit, one run or one RBI.

Lauren Wenning led the team with a 2-for-4 effort with two RBIs. Lori Osterholt had a hit, a run and an RBI, and Ciera Rammel singled and scored a run.

Sudhoff and Beth May each scored twice.

“You need that bottom of that lineup to produce,” said Osterholt. “It’s nice to see when they can and do and we score runs that way. They’ve been playing well.

“They’re a great group of girls and it’s nice to see them get a win.”

Kinsey Wenning picked up the pitching victory as she struck out three and walked three in seven innings. Trapp took the loss, giving up eight runs — five earned — on six hits and seven walks.

Sarah Cook paced the jets with two hits and two runs, and Cassie Gross added a single, a run and an RBI.[[In-content Ad]]