Fort rolls to win over Patriots (05/03/03)

FORT RECOVERY — Fort Recovery’s softball team used a balanced attack at the plate and nearly flawless defense Friday. Jay County had some errors and continued on the low end of what has been an up-and-down offensive season.

Those factors combined to give the Indians an 8-0 victory over the Patriots as they pushed their record to 12-4 on the year.

“We either get ‘em or we don’t,” said Jay County coach Harold Towell of his team’s offense. “There is no in between, it’s all or nothing.”

Fort Recovery scored once in the first inning and had a chance to add more as the first four batters all reached base. However, after Joscie Kaup scored on a passed ball, Patriot pitcher Ashleigh Myers struck out Renee Evers and got Tanya Thobe to fly out to end the inning.

The Indians would not waste a similar opportunity in the second inning.

Fort Recovery got its first five batters on base, which included back-to-back walks to start the inning from Allison Perkeybile and Alyssa Tobe. The runners advanced one base each on a wild pitch and both scored when Ciera Rammel knocked a single to right field.

Rammel stole second, and moved to third when Lisa Grisez banged a single to center field. Joscie Kaup followed with a routine ground ball, but earned a single when Jay County third baseman Stephanie Imel tried unsuccessfully to catch Rammel at home plate.

Julie Faller finally made the first out on a ground ball to shortstop Chelsea DeBoy, but got an RBI out of the situation as Grisez scored. Krystal Rammel then ripped a double to left-center field to bring in Kaup for a 6-0 Tribe advantage.

Both teams went scoreless for the next three innings before Faller and Krystal Rammel scored in the sixth for the final margin.

Kaup and Evers led the attack with two hits apiece. Kaup scored twice, and Ciera Rammel finished 1-for-1 with a single and two RBIs.

Fort Recovery coach Marie Osterholt said she was happy with her team’s hitting, but seemed even more thrilled with the defensive effort.

“Lisa (Grisez) had a nice unassisted double-play,” she said. “I liked that.

“Joscie (Kaup) made a great catch.”

The double play by Grisez ended the sixth inning after Stephanie Imel had delivered a one-out single for the Patriots. With Saffron Redwine on first in the third inning, Kaup made a tremendous catch diving back toward her own dugout on a fouled off bunt try by Katie Alberson.

Jenni Chittum and Ashley Cook turned in excellent defensive plays for Jay County (5-10), which saved it from being sent home after just five innings.

Chittum made a great catch in foul territory to end the first inning, and came rushing in to make a similar grab to end the second inning.

Cook made one of her outstanding plays in the fourth inning, stabbing a line drive from Thobe and stepping on first base to double off Krystal Rammel. Then at pitcher in the fifth inning she reached down to pick off a line drive from Grisez, this time doubling Ciera Rammel off first base to end the inning.

“Cook will be at third in the morning (in double-header action against New Castle at 11 a.m.),” said Towell. “Since we weren’t hitting the ball, I figured we’d get her an inning or two there. Those are the plays we need to make to beat good teams.”

Alyssa Tobe tossed a three-hitter in earning the win for Fort Recovery. She walked four and struck out five.

Ashleigh Myers took the loss, giving up six runs — five earned — on eight hits in four innings. She walked three and struck out two.

The Indians will visit Parkway Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Fort Recovery 4, New Bremen 0

Fort Recovery also scored a 4-0 victory over Midwest Athletic Conference rival New Bremen Thursday.

Sarah Schmitz tossed the shutout for the Indians, allowing just three hits. She struck out five and walked to as she ran her record on the year to 9-2.

Schmitz also went 2-for-3 at the plate with one run, one RBI and three stolen bases.

Evers and Faller also each had two hits. Kaup went 4-for-4 in the contest with a triple.

In junior varsity action, Fort Recovery dropped a 9-5 decision to New Bremen.

Megan Wenning took the defeat, allowing seven runs — four earned — in three innings.

Kim Link went 4-for-4 for the Tribe with two doubles, a triple, two runs and a stolen base. Kelsie Will had two hits and three stolen bases, and Lori Hart added three hits, two runs, one RBI and one stolen base.[[In-content Ad]]