4/26/2008 1:22:00 AM
Errors burn Cougars in loss to Defiance
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BY JOHN SNODGRASS
Times Bulletin Sports Editor
sports@timesbulletin.com
VAN WERT - Four errors cost the Cougars five runs and, ultimately, the game Friday evening at Jubilee Park.
The eighth-ranked Defiance Bulldogs held off a Van Wert seventh-inning rally and struck for four runs on two hits in the top of the third and another run in the sixth to take a 5-4 Western Buckeye League victory.
"Errors hurt and you've got to take care of the ball," Van Wert coach Jeff Bolenbaugh said. "We didn't do a good job of that tonight. Four errors in the game and that hurts. That was the whole key. Make those plays and they don't score those four runs in that pivotal third inning and we're right there in the game scoring two in the seventh to possibly win."
Van Wert (11-6, 2-4 WBL) scored first in the bottom half of the opening frame when Whitney Parrish led off with a double off the fence in center. Morgan Williams plated her in the next at bat with single to left and Alexa Jent followed by working a walk on five pitches. The Cougars would score no more, however, as a pair of strikeouts sandwiched around a lineout to center ended the rally.
Defiance answered with its big third inning.
Britney Lopez led off the inning with a single to left. Gabriela Gonzales' sacrifice bunt attempt followed. Lopez easily made it to second and ended up on third when the Cougars' force out attempt at first resulted in an error.
Now with two on and no outs Williams walked Marissa McDonald to load the bases. An error during the next at bat plated Lopez and suddenly the score was tied.
Lindsey Tobias gave the Cougars a little breathing room by hitting into a shortstop-to-catcher fielder's choice at the plate, but yet another error allowed McDonald to score. Now down 2-1 with the bases still loaded and just one out, Defiance junior Ashley Elders stepped to the plate and connected for a two-RBI single to right. Van Wert was able to salvage something out of the play, however, as they prevented a third run from scoring by catching Auroa Lopez in a pickle between third and home. With two down, Williams got Ashley Brandon to pop out in foul territory in right field as Van Wert's Madison Kohn made a quality catch while on the run.
Van Wert pulled within two in the fourth when Madison Kohn reached on a fielder's choice and scored three walks later.
The Bulldogs added another run in the top of the sixth with Britney Lopez reaching on a one-out single. She advanced to second on a bloop bunt single by Gonzalez and scored on a two-out error.
The Lady Cougars' seventh-inning rally began when Ashley Harshman led off the inning by hitting a high pop into right field. The ball glanced off of Sabra Shumaker's glove and allowed Harshman to get to second. Parrish followed with her second double of the evening to plate Harshman. Parrish scored during the next at bat - moving to third on a passed ball and to home on a wild pitch. It was too little too late though as a pop out, a single, a fielder's choice and another pop out ended the game.
"At least we didn't die. We've been working on that. Staying positive and knowing that the game is never over until the final out," Bolenbaugh said. "I was pleased that we made a good comeback to make it 5-4."
The Bulldogs used three pitchers across the seven innings to record the win. Ashley Brandon went the first three allowing the one earned run on two hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Danielle Tumblin went 0.2 of an inning allowing one earned run on one hit with three walks and no strikeouts. Megan Turner went the final 3.1 giving up two runs with two strikeouts.
Williams saddled the loss. She went the distance, allowing five runs (none earned) on eight hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.
"It still comes down to taking care of the ball," Bolenbaugh said. "We get a well pitched game like that. Mo (Williams) did a heck of a job pitching tonight and we just didn't take care of the ball."
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