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Greenville
junior Ally Russell delivers a pitch against Hamilton Badin in the
season opener at
Stebbins Field Monday. Russell fanned 17 while allowing only one hit in
the 2-0 Wave victory
over the Rams. CNO Photos by George Starks
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Greenville claims opening day victory
Russell fans 17 hitters
By George Starks
GREENVILLE- In what could be called a masterful performance, Lady Wave
junior pitcher, Ally Russell, had exactly that.
A masterful performance!
Russell recorded 17 strikeouts on the night in the Wave season opener
against Hamilton Badin. In addition, Russell allowed only one hit on
the night as Greenville popped a 2-0 loss on the visiting Rams Monday.
“This was a great game for Russell,” said Wave coach Jerrod Newland.
“They (Badin) are coming off a 25-3 season last year and we were 25 and
something last year (25-7) and two good teams teeing it up and I knew
it would be a 1-0 or 2-0 game. Russell kept us in it and we made four
or five defensive plays when we needed to. We put the ball into play a
little bit and we came out on top.”
Greenville scored the winning run in the bottom of the first when with
two down, it was Jasmine Petry that got things started.
Staring at a full count, Petry ripped a single to left and Greenville
was in business.
Senior Haley Luce doubled to left scoring Petry, giving the Wave a 1-0
lead.
At that point, it was a pitcher’s duel as Russell and Ram pitcher
Michelle Ray were both setting down the opposition.
Badin’s only scoring threat came in the fourth inning when Taylor
Rutschilling ripped a triple to the right center field fence.
That was as close as the Rams would get to denting the plate as Russell
would get two routine ground balls with a strike-out sandwiched in
between.
“Stranding that runner at was huge,: said Newland. “I think you score
90 percent of the time when you reach third with no outs. When you get
one out, you kinda start back peddling. She’s (Russell) tough and she’s
going to keep us in a couple of ball games like she did today.”
On offense, the Wave recorded just four hits with Russell getting two,
a single in the third and a double in the fifth. Petry and Luce
collected the rest but it was more than enough for a victory.
“Those three kids pounded the ball tonight,” said Newland. “They hit
the ball hard and sharp. That’s about all you can ask for out of your
leaders is to hit the ball sharp and hard.”
The Wave put the second run of the game on the board in the fifth.
After freshman Sara Strait reached on an error, it was Russell who sent
a shot to the fence in left-center scoring Strait.
“When you put the ball in play, more often than not, things can
happen,” admitted Newland. “They botched a routine pop-up and it was
unfortunate for them and fortunate for us.”
In the field, the Wave had only one miscue, that coming in the first
off the bat of the Rams lead-off hitter. A mistake that didn’t hurt the
Wave in the end.
“Pitching and defense. That’s Lady Wave softball, we all know that,”
said Newland. “Russell is going to keep us in a lot of games. If we
score a few runs and plays behind her, I like where we’re going.”
Greenville traveled to Wright State on Tuesday for a game with Lebanon
and will play three straight road games before returning home on
Saturday, April 5 and a game with Springfield and Triad.
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Wave
senior Brianna Greer looks to put down a sacrifice bunt.
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