Ortwein, Rebenack crush Patriots (05/09/06)

The Anderson Indians softball team racked up 14 hits. But it was really just three that made the difference.

Mallory Ortwein hit a couple of home runs, and Johnna Rebenack ripped a bases-loaded double as both finished with four RBIs in Anderson’s 10-1 victory over Jay County Monday.

“I’m kind of disappointed,” said JCHS coach Jack Wood. “I just don’t think our effort was there like it had been. We started out all right, then we had bases-loaded and didn’t get ... anything out of that. I think from that point on we just kind of hung our heads ... We hadn’t done that all year.”

The Patriots loaded the bases with one out of the second inning, but couldn’t get any runs and Ortwein started her onslaught in the top of the third.

The Indian junior clobbered an Amber Edmudson pitch well beyond the left-field fence to lead off the third inning. Her fifth home run of the season and 23rd of her career — which tied the state career record according to Anderson coach Dick Hines — gave the visiting team a 3-1 lead.

The score remained the same until the fifth inning when Ortwein came up with two on and two out. Again she went deep to left field, this time just barely clearing the fence for a three-run homer to break the state mark.

Ortwein headed to the plate again with runners on second and third in the sixth inning and Wood called for the walk. But Rebenack took advantage, following with a three-run double to left.

“She’s started to really warm up,” said Hines, whose team improved to 11-7, of Ortwein. “She hit one against New Castle last week and one against Marion. She’s got four in the last eight days.

“She’s got really good support around her. I’ve got three really experienced girls (in the middle of the order).”

Ortwein went deep in her only two at bats, walked in her other two plate appearances, scored twice and drove in two runs. Rebenack was 3-for-4 with four RBIs.

Chrissy Stephens, Taylor Williams and Jenny Matthews each added two hits, and Williams and Kylie Sylvester scored two runs apiece.

Amber Edmundson took the loss as all 10 runs were earned on 14 hits and three walks.

“Anderson’s a pretty good hitting team, but their pitcher is definitely hit-able for us,” said Wood. “We were kind of aggressive there in the first few innings then just kind of sat back and didn’t attack the ball at all.”

All of Jay County’s opportunities came in the first three innings before Anderson pitcher Sammy Bell retired the final 15 batters she faced.

The Patriots (11-10) got a one-out walk from Amber Champ in the first inning, and Trisha Champ followed with a line shot to right-center field.

Amber Champ scored, but Trisha Champ was cut down on a perfect throw as she tried for a triple.

Trailing 2-1 in the second inning, Jay County got consecutive one-out, infield singles from Miranda Betz and Saffron Redwine followed by a single to center field by Erica Murray.

No. 9 hitter Danielle Jackson hit a back to the pitcher with the bases loaded, and Bell tossed to home plate.

Photos showed Ortwein, the catcher, to be several inches away from the plate when she made the catch. However, the umpire called Betz out, and Bell retired Shae Keller to end the threat.

Amber Champ opened the third inning with a single to center before Bell sat down 15 straight to end the game.[[In-content Ad]]