De Perry Drives In Game Winner For Shawano
Shawano 5, Freedom 4 (10 Innings)
On a day that was nice enough to play two, Shawano used 10 innings to come from behind to top Freedom 5-4 in the season opener. The Hawks were slow to start, picking up just three hits in the first six innings against Freedom’s Peyton Dorn.
“We were a little late on the pitches, so we have to see a little quicker pitching at practice” said Coach Brian Johnson. “That is a nice Freedom team, and to get down and then fight back, we know we play, but you have to have that killer instinct” said Johnson. “Now this sort of sets the tone, we can come back, we know that now.”
The Irish jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning on a two-run home run by Callie Brockman. With two outs in the bottom of the 7th, Erin Cerveny drove in two runs with a double, and Sarah Petry tied the game with a base hit.
“The bottom of order played really well and our defense played lights out.”
It took until the top of the 10th for Freedom to score again. Lori Meyer hit a two out double, and Dorn drove her in for the go ahead run. In the bottom of the 10th, Petry and Kate Hoffman both reached on errors and Tatum De Perry drove them both home with a base hit to win the game 5-4.
“I got up there and I heard my girls backing me up, and I just told myself I have to hit this” DePerry said after the game. ” When I saw the ball go through the hole, I knew we had it.”
“Kate Hoffman is lightening quick and we liked our situation” said Johnson. “We thought about the suicide squeeze, but I decided no way, let go for the win.”
Erin Cerveny earned the win, pitching 5 2/3 innings and was 3-5 at the plate with two runs driven in.
“I got out of Erin Cerevny what I expected to, but Emily Bastar came on in relief and did real well for us.
Nobody had more than one hit for Freedom.
Porath’s Home Run Not Enough For Bulldogs
Weyauwega-Fremont 5, New London 2
The New London Bulldogs softball team dropped their season opener to Weyauwega-Fremont Tuesday at home. Considering the weather has forced many of New London’s practices to be held indoors in the early weeks, head coach Tony Porath said his team played about how he expected they would.
“It’s no excuse, but it is different when you’re out here and throwing live and you get the wind and all that,” coach Porath said following the game. “I told the girls we weren’t great, but we weren’t terrible and we’ve got some hope. I think there’s a chance we’re going to be okay.”
Weyauwega-Fremont grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the 3rd inning, while tacking run one each in the 4th, 5th, and 7th innings. Kiley Akey led the Indians offensively, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Cadyn Ehrenberg went the distance pitching, giving up a pair of runs on five hits, while striking out 13.
Leah Porath provided an offensive spark for the Bulldogs in the 4th inning when she blasted a solo homerun to put New London on the board. She finished 2-for-3 on the day. Kate Christian drove in Elise Sturgil for the only other Bulldog run, also coming in the 4th.
Porath managed to go six innings strong on the mound, allowing four runs. Pitching will be something relatively new for Leah this season, but coach Tony Porath thinks she’s only going to get better.
“That’s another new spot for us,” said coach Porath. “I thought she did okay. She did pitch some last year. [She will] get a little more confidence now after her first game and I’m glad we play teams like this. It’s just going to help our whole team.”
After getting a true look at his team in game action, coach Porath now knows what he’d like to see improved upon as the season progresses, which will likely come as the weather improves.
“There’s some defensive stuff, not being outside, that we’re going to need to work on,” Porath said. “Hitting live too, anybody can hit off a machine. I think we’ve got some good hitters and today obviously that’s a good team. First time off a machine and you’re seeing it live and they’re moving the ball around, it’s going to be different for us, but I think we’ll be okay.”
The Bulldogs will be tested again out of conference on Thursday when they welcome in Luxemburg-Casco.