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Rockford Independent • Monday, May 4, 2009
Softball team outlasts Jenison 2-0 in 13-inning contest BY BOB WELLS
The most recent chapter in the well documented rivalry between two of the area’s powerhouse softball programs was an epic battle of will and grit. The game was eventually won by the visiting Rams in 13 innings by a score of 2-0 behind the dominant pitching of Tricia Graham, great defensive plays, and the clutch hitting of Lauren Pasciak. “Jenison always has a respectable team,” said head coach Casey Dunham. “We knew the pitching would be tough and that they would put pressure on our defense and they did. Our Rams were able to handle that pressure and work their way to victory. It was a great Rockford Independent/Bob Wells game for players, coaches, and spectators.” Lauren Pasciak blasts the game-winning hit in the 13th inning against the Wildcats. Rockford claimed The Rams had threatened the contest 2-0. a few times in the game, but were not able to come up with the big hit until the top of the 13th inning. The inning began quietly as Jenison’s pitcher, junior Kendra Thomas, retired the first two batters she faced. Ram junior rightfielder Morgan Ruchty got things going with a perfectly executed slap hit past the pitcher and when she beat the throw from shortstop, the rally began. Ruchty then stole second base to get into scoring position for senior shortstop and co-captain Carly Shutich. Shutich worked the count and held off on a tough 3-2 pitch that was just off the plate for a hard-earned walk to set the stage for Pasciak, who had already doubled to deep center field earlier in the game. The left-handed hitting junior went with the pitch and laced a bullet to deep left-center to bring home the eventual game-winning runs for the Rams as pandemonium broke out in Ram Nation. Armed with the lead, Graham retired the first two batters in the bottom of the
Rockford Independent/Bob Wells Alex Fulbright catches a foul pop-up for the final out.
13th before allowing a bloop single. But in the very next at-bat, senior co-captain Alex Fulbright raced over into foul territory and snagged a pop fly, near the third base dugout. The huge victory was secured for the Rams. Dunham was thrilled with the effort of her team. “What a game!” said Dunham. “I’m so proud of our Rams for their persistence. They have demonstrated their willingness to go the distance a couple of times now during this start of the season. It’s one of the qualities that makes this year’s group so special. They are willing to continue fighting and to keep a positive attitude no matter the circumstance. “Offensively, we had some nice hits, however, in the top of the 13th we strung a couple together which were key to pulling out the victory, after all, that’s what it’s all about - teamwork.” The Rams needed some stellar defensive plays to
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keep themselves alive as Jenison threatened to win it in the bottom of the seventh and again in the bottom of the eighth innings. In the seventh, Jenison’s leadoff hitter ripped a hard grounder just to the right of second base that appeared to be headed for the gap in the outfield and probable extra bases. But second baseman Taylor Sergent ranged quickly to her right and kept the ball near the infield, holding the batter to a single. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runner to second, Ruchty raced over toward the right field line and made a nice shoestring catch of a line drive which likely would have ended the game. In the next frame, Jenison again got their leadoff hitter on base, and had runners on second and third with two outs, when Sargent made another key play, cleanly fielding a slap that got past the mound and quickly getting the ball to first baseman Peyton Wells for a bangbang play to end the inning and extend the game. For the game, Graham struck out 13 and didn’t walk a batter. The Wildcats totalled just five hits on the day. For the season, Graham (9-0) has an amazing 127 strikeouts and has given up just 17 hits and 10 walks in 63 2/3 innings pitched. Her overall ERA is 0.57, and in the OK Red so far, the Rams (4-0, 11-1 overall) have not given up a single run. Dunham and assistant coach Ralph Munger are quick to point out that a lot of work remains. “We look forward to working toward consistency and building on what we learn each and every day at practices and in games in order for us to be the best we can be,” said Dunham.
