Wartburg Romps over Rockwood 6-1 in 3-A Tournament
By Terry Futrell
The Wartburg Lady Bulldogs proved once again that an effective balance of offense and defense wins softball games. Taking a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, Wartburg held on to defeat the Rockwood Lady Tigers 6-1 in the opening round of the District 3-A double elimination softball tournament on May 6.
While the number of strikeouts by a pitcher often gets most of the attention, it was the accuracy of Wartburg pitcher Madelyn “Bit” Cox that was an important factor in the Lady Bulldog victory. While Rockwood pitchers struck out eight Wartburg batters, they also walked 12 Lady Bulldogs. In contrast, Cox struck out five Lady Tigers, but only walked one. Coupled with the superb Lady Bulldog fielding that achieved a 0.955 fielding percentage and committed only one error, the outcome of the game was never in doubt.
Wartburg’s Jacey Gouge led off in the first inning with a single to right field. Rockwood pitcher KaeLee Dyer Hit Alexis Harrison with a pitch before striking out Allie Aytes. Dyer then walked three consecutive Wartburg batters, scoring both Gouge and Harrison. Taylin Griffith scored on a Rockwood error, giving Wartburg a 3-0 lead before Rockwood could gain the third out.
Rockwood hit two singles in the bottom of the first, but could not capitalize and left two runners stranded as the inning ended.
Dyer walked the first three Wartburg batters in the top of the sixth inning and was relieved by Hailey Griffis. Griffis then walked the first batter she faced. Dyer and Griffis combined for five walks in the inning, leading to three Wartburg scores, extending the Lady Bulldog lead to 6-0.
After Cox hit the first Rockwood batter with a pitched ball in the bottom of the sixth, the Wartburg fielders stepped up and quickly put the next three batters away.
Cynthia Susak led off for Wartburg in the top of the seventh and singled on a ground ball to the pitcher. Rockwood then put away the next three Wartburg batters and had one more opportunity for a comeback in the bottom of the seventh.
After Bella Jolly grounded out, Hailey Griffis hit an infield single and was replaced by courtesy runner Samantha Tilley. Shealynn Wilson tripled on a fly ball to deep right field, scoring Tilley. After the next batter grounded out to Wartburg first baseman Taylin Griffith, Dyer stepped up to the plate with two outs. Lady Bulldog pitcher Cox threw some smoke and Dyer went down in three pitches, sealing the Wartburg victory 6-1.
Wartburg moves on to face district leader Harriman on Tuesday in the winners’ bracket. Rockwood drops into the losers’ bracket where they will play Wednesday evening.
Click on any photo in the gallery below to view a larger version, then click again on the larger vsersion to view or download the high-resolution version of the photo.
