By RICHIE HALL
WESTFIELD – The Westfield softball team was in celebration mode for its Senior Night game Wednesday against Hamilton Heights.
The Shamrocks were ready to party from the start. Westfield scored six runs in that first inning, and that lead held for the remainder of the game as the ‘Rocks beat the Huskies 9-4.
“We’re playing better,” said Shamrocks coach Brian Revercomb. “We played really well earlier this season and kind of got in a rut. Whenever you’re trying to come out of a little bit of a rut, a win’s a win at that point, right? We just fought and fought and fought, put up a few more runs there and we’re fortunate to come away with a win.”
Avery Parker, a senior, drove in the first run as her left field hit scored Cara Snedeker. Allie Dolenc then delivered her own base hit to score Parker.
“Avery Parker leading us this year, she creates a lot of opportunities for other hitters, and in turn, they create opportunities for her as well because they’re hitting well,” said Revercomb.
Sam Breaux added a two-run single to send in Ava Kainrath and Breaux. Mya Hughes also had a two-RBI hit, that one scoring Natalie Deck and Breaux. With that, Westfield led 6-0.
Heights got on the board in the top of the fourth inning by scoring two runs; Kaylee Rhoton and Ashlyn Fletcher both got home on separate errors. Westfield got a run back in the bottom of the inning. Dolenc led off with a double, then eventually scored on Breaux’s RBI groundout.
The Huskies continued to battle, adding two more runs in the fifth inning. Bella Neiling singled in Faith Hittle, then Ashlyn Tharp scored on a passed ball.
“We spot them six in the first inning,” said Heights coach Ken Olovich. “From there on in, it’s a pretty even ballgame. We had a couple of plays and miscommunications, but I like how we kept our heads up and battled back in the game.”
The Shamrocks scored their final two runs in the sixth inning, with Grace Feltz and Brookly Miner getting home after Mya Hughes reached on error.
Hughes was 3-for-4 at the plate, with Breaux totaling three RBIs. Morgan Squires pitched five innings for the win, with Rylie Redstone getting the save.
Neiling hit 3-for-3. Alayna Baber pitched a complete game, striking out six.
Westfield is 14-7 and hosts Western on Monday. The Huskies are 6-11 and play a Hoosier Conference game today at Lewis Cass.
WESTFIELD 9, HAMILTON HEIGHTS 4
Heights AB R H RBI
Jessa Steffen 4 0 0 0
Faith Hittle 3 1 2 0
Alayna Baber 4 0 0 0
Bella Neiling 3 0 3 1
Kaylee Rhoton 3 1 0 0
Ashlyn Fletcher 2 1 0 0
Kassidy Schakel 3 0 0 0
Emma Blanton 3 0 0 0
Morgan Ottinger 3 0 0 0
Ashlyn Tharp 0 1 0 0
Totals 28 4 5 1
HBP: Hittle, Fletcher.
Heights pitching IP R ER H
Baber 6 9 7 11
Strikeouts: Baber 6. Walks: Baber 7.
Westfield AB R H RBI
Maggie Roh 2 0 0 0
Cara Snedeker 3 1 1 0
Avery Parker 3 1 2 1
Allie Dolenc 4 2 2 1
Ava Kainrath 2 1 0 0
Sam Breaux 4 1 1 3
Natalie Deck 4 1 2 0
Grace Feltz 0 1 0 0
Brookly Miner 2 1 0 0
Mya Hughes 4 0 3 2
Totals 28 9 11 7
2B: Dolenc. SB: Parker 2, Hughes. HBP: Kainrath, Miner.
Westfield pitching IP R ER H
Morgan Squires (W) 5 4 3 4
Rylie Redstone (S) 2 0 0 1
Strikeouts: Redstone 4, Squires 3. Walks: none.
Score by Innings
Heights 000 220 0 – 4 5 8
Westfield 600 102 x – 9 11 2