Versailles pushes past Fort in 6th (05/07/04)

FORT RECOVERY — Monday could have been set up to be the biggest day in the history of the Fort Recovery softball program.

A victory Thursday would have set up a chance for the Indians to set a new school record for wins Monday while earning their first sectional title. The visiting Versailles Tigers foiled that plan, knocking off Fort Recovery 3-1.

Tribe starter Julie Smith had a no-hitter through the first five innings, allowing just two base runners on a walk and an error. But, Versailles took advantage of some Indian miscues in the sixth and finally got to Smith for three straight hits and three runs.

“They shouldn’t have had any (hits),” said Fort Recovery coach Marie Osterholt. “They were all unearned runs. Julie pitched a good game.”

Smith retired No. 9 hitter Megan Brown to start the sixth inning, and then struck out Amber Voisard. But, the low pitch hopped away from catcher Joscie Kaup, and she could not find the ball before Voisard took first base.

The Indians had one more chance to get out of the inning when Betsy Smith hit a tailor-made double-play ball to third baseman Krystal Rammel. However, they had the wheel play on for a possible bunt and no one was covering at second base.

Rammel instead had to take the out at first, leaving Voisard at second with two outs.

Lynnette Stauffer made Fort Recovery pay for the pair of problems, knocking an RBI single to center field. Cheri Stannen then put the Tigers (9-13, 2-2 Midwest Athletic Conference) ahead for good with an RBI double to left-center field, and Kristi Schmidt drove her in with a single to left.

Smith took just her third loss of the season, allowing three unearned runs on four hits in six-plus innings. She struck out 10 and walked two.

“Her drop ball started to flatten out a little bit,” said Versailles coach Ron Mescher. “Either that or we started to catch up with it.

“I kind of thought it was just a matter of time.”

Fort Recovery had its chance to pull even in the bottom of the sixth after Smith led off by being hit by a pitch. After a pop out by Renee Evers, Brenda Rindler knocked a pinch-hit single.

Pinch runner Tiera Judy and Rindler advanced to second and third on a ground out by Megan Wenning. Ciera Rammel popped out to end the threat, leaving a pair of runners stranded for the third straight inning.

The Indians left nine runners on base overall, but got nothing going in the seventh inning with three infield pop ups from Grisez, Kaup and Krystal Rammel.

“I think they got a little too anxious to hit the ball,” said Osterholt of the final frame. “They took a swing at a few bad pitches.

“We had opportunities, but just couldn’t get them around. We had our chances.”

The loss dropped the Indians to 14-6 overall, still one win short of tying the school record they set last year. More importantly, they slipped to 3-2 in the Midwest Athletic Conference, one game behind New Bremen.

The Indians will play to tie the school win record when they take on the St. Henry Redskins for the sectional title at New Bremen Monday. They defeated St. Henry in the regular season this year, but did the same last year before falling to the Redskins in sectional play.

“That’s what (St. Henry coach Josh Link) is planning this year,” said Osterholt. “We have to come out and play hard every inning, every pitch, every hit. We just have to play hard the whole game.”

The Indians got their lone run in the first inning against Versailles after Ciera Rammel led off with a single to left field. Grisez sacrificed her to second with a bunt, Kaup pushed her to third with an infield single and she scored on a wild pitch.

Mescher credited his defense with keeping the Tigers in the game after the quick Fort Recovery score.

Catcher Katie Folkerth caught Kaup trying to take an extra base in the first inning, essentially ending the threat. Right-fielder Melissa Heft made a nice play on an Alyssa Tobe fly ball with one out and the bases loaded in the fifth, and doubled Rammel off of first base.

“(She) made a great play to get us out of that inning,” said Mescher. “Megan Brown battled. She got herself in trouble a few innings, but she worked her way out.”

Brown went the distance for the win for Versailles, striking out one and walking two. She gave up twice as many hits has Smith — eight — but held the Tribe scoreless after the opening inning.

Grisez had the lone extra-base hit of the game for the Indians, a double in the fifth inning.

Tobe struck out two in one perfect inning of relief.

Junior varsity

The Fort Recovery junior varsity softball team (4-8) never recovered from its first inning Thursday in a 12-7 loss to Versailles.

The Indians scored twice in the top of the first inning, but the lead was short-lived. Versailles put up eight runs in the bottom of the frame and never trailed again.

Kelly Link was a perfect 4-for-4 with a triple in the defeat. She drove in one run and had two stolen bases.

Brittany Brackman went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Kristen Schwieterman and Sandra Sudhoff each had two hits, one run, one RBI and one stolen base.

Lori Osterholt took the loss.[[In-content Ad]]