Another dominating day
Hillman continues putting up runs in sweep of Cards
HILLMAN — Early on in the season, the Hillman softball team has had no problem scoring runs, despite playing in below average conditions.
After shellacking Newberry on Friday, Hillman kept crossing home plate early and often in a doubleheader sweep of Johannesburg-Lewiston on Monday at Hillman High School.
“The team played good tonight considering the conditions,” Hillman coach Ken Rundell said. “We had several girls chip in with timely hitting throughout the first game and that has been the story early on in the season which is good to see.”
In its first four games of the season, Hillman has yet to complete more than three innings as the Tigers swept Joburg by scores of 15-0 and 18-3.
Vanessa Schook took the mound in game one and was dominant, giving up just two hits while striking out eight while picking up her second victory.
Offensively, Hillman was led by leadoff batter Lyndsey Ryba who went a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI. Eve LaFleche went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI. Andrew Taratuta was also 2-for-2 and collected a triple and two RBI. Schook and Olivia Smith also had multiple hits and RBI in the win for the Tigers.
In the nightcap, the Tigers fell behind 2-0 after the top of the first inning, but the Cardinals lead didn’t last long as Hillman poured it on in the home half of the first and blew the game wide open, batting around the order twice and scoring 17 runs.
Ryba led off with a double to center field and the next nine Hillman batters walked, as all nine starters came across to score a run in the opening frame.
Ryba walked in her second at-bat to keep the bases loaded before LaFleche and Schook had back-to-back two RBI base hits as LaFleche doubled in two and Schook singled in a pair of runs to give the Tigers a 10-2 lead with still no outs in the inning.
LaFleche later scored on a wild pitch and Morgan Armon tripled to plate Schook to extend the lead to double digits. Andrea Taratuta also doubled and scored twice in the inning, while Ryba and LaFleche reached all three times and Ryba scored each time she was on base.
At the plate, LaFleche and Taratuta were both 2-for-2. LaFleche doubled and tripled in the game and Taratuta belted two doubles.
Morgan Dove picked up the win as she tossed a no-hitter and struck out four.
“The conditions were difficult to play in throughout the night, but Morgan stayed focused after allowing a couple walks early on that led to runs, but she did a good job,” Rundell said. “I was very pleased with the two wins. Our hitting has been timely from everyone in our order which is important and defensively we are making plays.”
Hillman improves to 4-0 on the year and will be back on the diamond on Monday when it opens up conference play at Mio.
Jonny Zawacki can be reached via email at jzawacki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5690.