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Burke, Nites lead Howland past Hubbard
By Jim Flick
HOWLAND
A newcomer pitched a shutout, while a veteran drove in three runs as the Howland High softball team blanked Hubbard 10-0 on Thursday.
The newcomer was freshman Hannah Burke, who pitched a complete-game shutout to boost her season record to 8-3. She struck out four and walked only two.
Pitching as freshman can be intimidating, admitted Burke.
“But I got my team to back me up. I did OK,” she said, shrugging, “but I’d like to do better. I’d like to improve.”
The key veteran was right fielder Olivia Nicholas, a senior who went 4 for 4 with three singles and triple. She drove in three runs and also scored three runs.
The game ended in the bottom of the sixth when Nicholas crossed home plate for the third time, on a wild pitch.
“I thought we played as a team,” Nicholas said. “We were all aggressive, we were all working together. We were having fun, playing our game.”
“It was a team effort today,” said acting coach Dave Matz. “We took care of business.
“Our senior leadership between Erika Nites, Olivia Nicholas, Christina Brindley, Tori McCormick, and Kristen Vardavas, did an outstanding job.”
Howland (10-5) started taking care of business in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Emily Price, a sophomore, walked. McCormick followed her with a single that drove in the game’s first run.
McCormick scored on a sacrifice by senior catcher Tori McCormick to give Howland a 2-0 lead.
The Tigers scored four runs in the third inning to boost their lead to 6-0. Senior first baseman Christina Brindley doubled to drive in a pair of RBIs.
An unearned run in the fourth inning give Howland a 7-0 lead.
In the sixth inning, sophomores Julie Sheffield and Emily Price singled to start the rally. Nicholas then smacked a triple to left field to drive in both runners. A few pitches later, she scored the run that ended the game.
Hubbard (4-9) loaded the bases with one in the fifth on singles by junior Kayla Motok, freshman Taylor Watson and senior Samantha Dudley. But the Eagles couldn’t push home a run.
“They deserved it,” said Hubbard coach Ken Miller. “They executed and we didn’t.”