Softball: Plainfield East can’t shake Andrew’s Rust
By Scott Ehling For Sun-Times Media April 7, 2012 7:06PM
Updated: May 9, 2012 9:48AM
No rusty bats for Andrew here.
Andrew pounded out thirteen hits, including four home runs, en route to an 11-3 victory over host Plainfield East on Saturday.
Senior Shannon Rust did her part at the top of the Thunderbolts lineup, going 4-of-5 (2 HR’s, 2B, 3 RBI) at the plate.
“I wasn’t expecting that going into the game at all,” Rust said of her offensive production. “I was just looking to lead-off our team with a base hit and then it kept going and going.”
Andrew also had great production from junior Jenna Lenza (1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI) and senior starting pitcher Brooke Hofer (2-for-4, RBI). Hofer shook off a three-balk first inning to go the distance for win (7.0 IP, 2 ER, 7H, 6 K’s). Catcher Taylor Messer (2-for-4) and Allisyn Lee (2-for-2, RBI) paced Plainfield East.
Andrew (7-3) jumped on the Bengals right away as consecutive singles by Rust and Dani Bestwina led off the game. Then Kelly Christner’s grounder was misplayed by the Bengals allowing Rust to score.
After Lenza’s sac fly plated Bestwina, Caitlyn Migawa followed with a two-run bomb to left center that translated to a quick 4-0 Thunderbolts lead.
“It was definitely one of our better hitting games,” Andrew coach Jim Holba said. “It’s something that we came out of the last few days and it was important to support Brooke (Hofer).”
Plainfield East (7-4) scratched out a run in their half of the first inning as Hofer balked home Fran Giovannini to make the score 4-1.
“It’s kind of different every game but I started the game with a bad habit and I just needed to adjust to the umpire,” Hofer said.
Andrew wasted no time in getting the momentum back as Rust’s solo shot in the second inning coupled with Lenza’s two-run home run in the third gave the Thunderbolts a 7-1 lead that was too much for the Bengals to overcome.
“We never recovered from that first inning and for some reason when we play highly ranked teams we just don’t step up to the plate and play our best game,” Plainfield East coach Chris Morris said.
