Lady Pioneers romp over Mapletown, 12-0
DILLNER — West Greene’s softball team can hurt you in a lot of ways, most notably with its potent, high-powered offense.
The Lady Pioneers’ bats were on full display Thursday afternoon, as they pounded out 15 hits, including seven for extra bases, en route to a five-inning, 12-0 win over Mapletown in Section 2-A action at Dunkard Township Park.
“Sometimes I just got to get out of the kids’ way,” WG coach Billy Simms said. “I ran us into some outs on the bases in the first inning and as a coach you are always learning. We really hit the ball hard today and I think our hitting was contagious.”
Besides the notable power at the plate, the Lady Pioneers (4-0, 8-3) also got another stellar performance in the circle from Jade Renner. The lefty threw just 72 pitches over five innings and allowed three hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks.
“We played with a lot of energy today,” Renner said. “These last two wins (West Greene defeated Jefferson-Morgan on Wednesday) were big because both teams were undefeated in section play. We responded pretty well and our offense really got us going.”
The loss was the first for the Lady Maples (2-1, 4-1).
“I thought we were on our toes in that first inning and prevented the opening run,” Mapletown coach Raquel Cole said. “They just had that one big inning and we couldn’t respond to it. Our girls were a little nervous because it was against West Greene. We were too serious today and a little tight in the dugout.”
West Greene threatened to score in the top of the first when McKenna Lampe slapped a bunt single and advanced two bases after a passed ball and a wild pitch.
After Madison Lampe walked, she tried to run to second base, but Mapletown’s defense didn’t flinch and was able to gun down McKenna at the plate for the first out. Madi Blaker, who took the loss with three walks and no strikeouts, was then able to escape with no damage after two ground outs.
After the Lady Maples went down in order in the bottom of the first, the visitors struck for a run in the second when Mackenzie Carpenter smacked a one-out single and scored on an RBI hit by Kylie Simms.
West Greene took firm control with nine runs in the third inning.
The offensive onslaught began with a first-pitch, solo home run by McKenna Lampe.
“McKenna is just an all-around solid hitter,” Simms said. “Her speed is her game, but she has very under-rated power. We are still not sure why people don’t recognize that. She’s a special lead-off hitter and just a hitter you usually don’t see at the Class A level.”
The Lady Pioneers increased their lead to 5-0 after three consecutive RBI singles by Brianna Amos, Jersey Wise and Carpenter. Later in the inning McKenna and Madison Lampe stung a pair of two-out, two-run doubles followed by an RBI double by Kaitlyn Rizor.
After a scoreless fourth inning, West Greene tacked on two more runs in the fifth courtesy of a RBI triple by Hannah Pettit and a RBI double by Madison Lampe.
“We beat two really good teams these last couple of days,” Simms said. “Now we control our destiny in the section. For us, our first goal every year is to win the section. I thought our offense sparked us in those wins, but our pitching and defense has been effective. When you don’t give up runs, you get yourself a chance to win.”
The Lady Maples were held hitless in the first two innings, but led off the next three frames with hits. Kat Fox and Macee Cree had singles in the third and fifth, while Hannah Dusenberry roped a double to left-center field in the fourth.
West Greene was able to evoke the 10-run mercy rule in the fifth after Renner ended the inning with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to third.
“I’m just focusing on throwing strikes,” Renner said. “I think sometimes it’s been luck for me to get this many strikeouts. I work on my mechanics and I just try to spot the ball where my catcher’s glove is. Sometimes it’s that simple.”
Both teams will be back in Section 2-A action on Friday, as West Greene travels to Avella and Mapletown ventures out to Jefferson-Morgan.
“We just have to bring our A-game,” Cole said. “We are young, and we are still learning. Our girls will fight and I really do like the hot start we have been on. The girls are just having fun and the momentum is carrying from game to game. We have to focus on the next game and just get better every time out.”
“McKenna is just an all-around solid hitter,” Simms said. “Her speed is her game, but she has very under-rated power. We are still not sure why people don’t recognize that. She’s a special leadoff hitter and just a hitter you usually don’t see at the Class A level.”
The Lady Pioneers increased their lead to 5-0 after three consecutive RBI singles by Brianna Amos, Jersey Wise and Carpenter.
Later in the inning with two outs, both McKenna and Madison Lampe stung a pair of two-run doubles followed by an RBI two-bagger by Kaitlyn Rizor.
After a scoreless fourth inning, West Greene tacked on two more runs in the fifth courtesy of a RBI triple by Hannah Pettit and a RBI double by Madison Lampe.
“We beat two really good teams these last couple of days,” Simms said. “Now we control our destiny in the section. For us, our first goal every year is to win the section. I thought our offense sparked us in those wins, but our pitching and defense has been effective. When you don’t give up runs, you get yourself a chance to win.”
The Lady Maples were held hitless in the first two innings, but led off the next three frames with hits. Kat Fox and Macee Cree had singles in the third and fifth, while Hannah Dusenberry roped a double to left-centerfield in the fourth.
West Greene was able to evoke the 10-run mercy rule in the fifth after Renner ended the inning with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout to third.
“I’m just focusing on throwing strikes,” Renner said. “I think sometimes it’s been luck for me to get this many strikeouts. I work on my mechanics and I just try to spot the ball where my catcher’s glove is. Sometimes it’s that simple.”
Both teams will be back in Section 2-A action on Friday, as West Greene travels to Avella and Mapletown ventures out to Jefferson-Morgan.
“We just have to bring our A-game,” Cole said. “We are young, and we are still learning. Our girls will fight and I really do like the hot start we have been on. The girls are just having fun and the momentum is carrying from game to game. We have to focus on the next game and just get better every time out.”