Girard snaps skid against Champion
By ERIC FORTUNE
CHAMPION
For Girard High softball coach Renny Paolone, Monday’s 6-2 victory over Champion has been a long time coming.
“It was extra sweet because last year it was said that we hadn’t beat them in this century,” Paolone said.
“They had a streak against us and they didn’t want us to ever break the streak.
“So, this is big for us,” Paolone said. “This changes this program. We’ve taken a step to the next level, I think.
“We’ve never beat this team in the history of Girard. This is the first time ever.
“I’m so proud of them.”
The Indians (2-3, 2-2 All-American Conference Blue Division) struck with timely hitting, Champion miscues and Neco Maderitz’s four-strikeout, four-hit complete game.
“We helped her out a bit,” Champion coach Cheryl Weaver said of Maderitz.
“She got us to pop up quite a bit and we started to swing at her pitches high out of the strike zone.
“She’s a good pitcher, but I don’t think we were quite into it [the game].”
After two scoreless innings, the Indians scored when Byrnes’ double brought home Mel Bakes.
The Golden Flashes (3-2, 3-2) took advantage of Bakes’ error on a hit by Toni Cameron to start off the inning. After, Maderitz retired the next two batters, a walk to Carissa Hurst brought Brittany Allen to plate.
On a 1-2 pitch, Allen tripled to the gap in right-center field to score Hurst and Allen for a 2-1 lead.
In the fifth inning, errors at second base and in left field contributed to the Indians scoring thee runs.
Byrnes double scored to runs to put Girard ahead, 3-2.
“We got our confidence back,” said Byrne who had three hits. “It’s been a rough start to this season, hitting-wise.”
Gab Cario singled to score Byrnes.
“We fouled off what we didn’t like,” Maderitz said of Champion pitcher Haylee Gardiner.
“We saw that she had a changeup and we knew inside and outside what she had. We were able to use that to our advantage.”
Maderitz held the Golden Flashes in check, allowing one hit in their final three at-bats.
“I think this is going to help us for the rest of the season,” Maderitz said. “This was a big game we were able to bring home.”
Three errors by the Golden Flashes led to four unearned runs.
“That hurt us big time,” Weaver said. “I hate to talk negative about things, but these girls should have known that there are times you’ve got to go to first. You need that out.
“They made the wrong choice and it happens. Against a good team like Girard, they take advantage of that.”