Lake Linden-Hubbell's Becca Lyons, 23, takes the lead off Lance first baseman Danny Dantes during a game Monday at the Boneyard in Lake Linden. (Eddie O'Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)
LINDEN LAKE — The Linden-Hubbell Lakes softball team took a swing at the Boneyard Monday afternoon. They defeated the Reims Purple Hornets by a score of 14-3, 14-4.
“My girls want to hit it.” Lakes coach Curtis Kinnunen said. “We want to hit out more than walk. It makes for a more fun and interesting game. That's what we preach.”
Kinnunen added that of the team's 28 points, the best was the 14 points in Game 2.
“We were down 4-2, but we came back and won by 10 points.” He said.
In that second game, the Purple Hornets vs. the Lakes (4-3)
Both platings are performed on the first frame. The Lakes took the lead on an RBI single by Joby Daniels courtesy of Marissa Sullivan's second.
However, the 2-1 lead didn't last long as Lance Nine regained the lead with three runs of his own early in the third inning.
In that frame, second baseman Kyra Dakota reached base on an infield error. Shortstop Brooklyn Dompier then walked Lakers starting pitcher Ashlyn Steeves.
Now, with two outs and 1st base, third baseman Laura Cichos stepped up. She continued to hit deep hits that cleared the bases, and an RBI double that put her on second base.
She scored her third run of the inning after Lindsay Biecola brought home a single, making the game 4-2.
The Lakes further closed the gap with a run of their own in the bottom of the third inning, making it 4-3. This RBI was credited to catcher Olivia Shank, who hit the leadoff triple of the inning.
Steeves scored four points for the Purple Hornets (0-6), who couldn't have had a better record. On the other hand, the Lakes took the lead by scoring 5 points in the 4th inning, then scored 6 points in the 5th inning, earning a 10 point mercy victory after the 5th inning. Peyton Goldsworthy replaced Steeves and pitched the fourth and fifth innings, striking out five of the six batters he faced.
“Good pitching always helps.” Kinnunen said, “And we did that in both games today.”
If the Lakes' lineup came alive in Game 2, perhaps one of the reasons was that it was rested despite an 11-run win in Game 1.
In short, Lance's pitchers struggled to find the strike zone and the walks amounted to too many unearned runs.
Cichos gave up six walks in the first inning, which matched Lakes' five runs. She was saved the second time by Yadlin Goen, who did the same. She issued six walks and Lakes added five more points. Two more points were added in the third to give Lake Linden a 12-0 lead.
However, the Purple Hornets avoided a shutout thanks to strong base hitting in the bottom of the third inning.
Goen helped his cause with a leadoff double. She came home effortlessly with Keira Dakota's triple. Dakota then scored on Dompier's single to make it 12-3.
However, in the fourth, the Purple Hornets issued a walk and added two more runs, taking an 11-point lead and ultimately winning the game.
Shank started the first game and pitched five innings, allowing just three runs and winning the game.
Despite the lopsided loss, Reims coach Tara Kurtich is pleased with the girls' progress.
“Honestly, the progress from the first game to now is huge.” she said. “I’m proud of what we stand for.”
He was especially satisfied with his efforts in the second game.
“We were able to do a better gelling job as a team. Our communication is something we're working on.” she said. “This team has great potential.”
next
The Lakes will face Gojevic on Friday at home in the Boneyard. On the same day, the Purple Hornets welcome Ironwood to the field.
