Lady Wave starts season off right

Greenville junior Haleigh Luce scores the first run at Lady Wave Stadium while sophomore Ally
Russell {below} delivers the first pitch at the new complex Saturday against Wayne. The
Wave posted a 4-0 victory over the Warriors. CNO photo by George Starks

New stadium proves a good fit
By George Starks

GREENVILLE- After a Cincinnati Reds opening day victory, the late Joe Nuxhall often would say, “You can’t go undefeated if you don’t win the first game.”

It’s yet to be seen if the 2013 edition of Greenville Lady Wave Softball will go undefeated, but the first game out of the gate pointed in that direction Saturday as Lady Wave Stadium host its inaugural game against Wayne.

A year ago, on opening day, the Wave fell to the Warriors, 2-1 in a nail biter.

Saturday, that wasn’t the case as Greenville topped the Warriors, 4-0.

“It’s nice to always get that first win put away,” said Wave coach Jerrod Newland. “Today, the atmosphere was fantastic for the kids and the fans. It’s like getting a thousand pound weight off your shoulder. Monday, we had a foot of snow on the field and today we had a little dust. We didn’t know on Monday if we would even be playing, but here we are. We are a work in progress but it’s going to be a great year and each day we’ve got to come out here and learn and just keep it going. We’re not going to win them all, but I’ll take nine out of ten.”

When it comes to softball, it all starts with pitching and sophomore Ally Russell did not disappoint.

Moving in from Oklahoma, Russell scattered six hits, struck out nine and with her defense behind her, allowed only one runner to reach third.

That happened in the second as the Wave left runners at second and third.

“Every year is a different year and this year, Ally has gotten the nod,” said Newland. “My philosophy is you put your nine best on the field and that’s what I’ve done. In my world, the nine best plays and right now, it’s the sophomore Russell. She’s going to be a good one. She works her game year round.”

After graduation, Newland returned just three starters off the state runner-up team of 2013, Luce, Greer and Erin Albright. Now, the veteran coach starts two seniors, three juniors, a sophomore and three freshmen.

The wave didn’t exactly jump on the Warriors right away but got the fire burning in the second.

Junior Haleigh Luce got the Wave second started with a walk.

One out later, Brionna Greer put down a sac bunt but was able to reach as Warrior first baseman Ashley Donaldson was not able to handle the throw, dropping it just as Greer reached.

With Luce at third and Greer taking second, freshman Allison Minnich delivered the game winning RBI, scoring Luce, giving the Wave a 1-0 advantage.

Greer would later score on a passed ball and the Wave would hold a 2-0 lead after two innings of play.

Overall, the Wave knocked out nine hits and committed no errors.

“Hey, as long as you have a zero in the errors column, you’re going to win games and you’re on the right track,” Newland pointed out. “It took us a while to start hitting, especially the young kids, but we’re going to get there. Today we’re in March and I can’t wait to see where we’re at in April and May. Hopefully, we’ll be talking in June in Akron.”

The Wave would score two more in the third as Russell and Luce would both cross the plate on RBIs by freshman Jazzlyn Petry and freshman Ashton Kester.

For Newland, it’s one down and 34 to go.

“That’s the plan,” Newland said. “That’s the plan.”

Weather permitting, the Wave will be back in action, at home, Monday night against Urbana.