In the first two innings, batters on the Washington School softball team were struggling against St. Joseph Catholic School pitcher Sarai Hernandez on Wednesday. Hernandez had struck out four batters and allowed just one run.
Then, Washington School coach Jud Thigpen decided to employ a unique strategy in the bottom of the third inning when he directed most of his players to square around and bunt. This strategy was a total success as the Generals would score nine runs in the inning to end the game with a 10-0 victory.
“In high school softball if you can put pressure on the other team’s defense by just putting the ball in play, you give yourself a great opportunity to win the game.
“There pitcher was doing a good job of making us swing and miss. She had a good curve ball so we got the bunt game going and it worked for us,” Coach Thigpen said.
Washington School ace pitcher Avery Doolittle was once again strong in the pitching circle for the Generals as she gave up just one hit — a line drive double by Hernandez in the top of the third inning — and zero runs in the game.
Doolittle and Avery Selby both had two hits with Doolittle driving in a pair of runs with a double. Ali Anne Flanagan had a hit, a run and an RBI.
Khloe McCorkle scored a run and drew a walk. Henslee Trussell scored a run and drew a walk.
Allie Bennett had a base hit and scored two runs. Leila Olivi scored a run. The Generals improved their record to 6-2 with the victory as they head into a big Saturday where they will play in the Carroll Academy tournament.
“The big thing is we need to be playing more games. We had the Indianola Tournament rain out which hurt us because it would have given us like five more games.”
St. Joseph head coach Paul Hughes said he was proud of the way his team hung in the game in the first two innings. He said Hernandez did a fine job pitching in the game.
“She has only been pitching for a year and a half, but she is a natural.”
The Fighting Irish are a young team this year. St. Joe youngsters include seventh grade third baseman Caryn Jackson, seventh grade catcher Kaleigh Wilson, eighth grade first baseman Ava Hughes, ninth grade second baseman Lilly Naron , tenth grade centerfielder KK Holmes, ninth grade left fielder Kendra Brooks and seventh grader Harper Reno.
“I am hoping that we keep coming together these next couple weeks and keep getting better,” Coach Hughes said. “We are a young team, and these girls all want to play summer ball this summer which will really help.”
