Howland capitalizes on Boardman errors

April 15, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

By BRIAN DZENIS

HOWLAND

It’s a common cliche that coaches always talk about the little things in sports because they make the big things happen.

Games like Thursday’s softball contest between All-American Conference Red Tier rivals Howland and Boardman is the reason that saying exists. The Tigers topped the visiting Spartans, 6-3, because the road side botched a few routine plays.

Two errors and a passed ball led to three of Howland’s six runs.

“We made our routine plays and that has been biting us in the butt lately,” Howland pitcher Hannah Kowach said. “We had it all under control today.”

The Tigers opened the bottom of the first with consecutive singles from Sara Price and Mercadezz Morrow, then an error at first, followed by a passed ball to let both girls score. Gabby Hartzell hit a sacrifice fly to score Leah Pollifrone to give the Tigers a three-run lead.

Boardman (2-2) responded by loading the bases, but managed only a run after Kowach walked Lauren Pavlansky to score Sydney Aey. The Spartans previously beat the Tigers, 14-4 last week, but the hits didn’t come with runners in scoring position. Boardman coach Mike Trell didn’t use his full complement of starters in the second go-around since his team played a late game in Akron on Wednesday. He has no regrets about giving some of his lesser-used players some innings.

“If that’s the outcome, that’s the outcome.” Trell said.

A botched throw from catcher to third base gave Howland (4-4) its fourth run in the second. Aey cut the deficit with and RBI-single during Boardman’s turn. The Tigers one-upped the Spartans once again in the bottom of the third with three straight doubles from Hartzell, ReAnn Litz and Emily Darlington for the team’s final runs.

Kowach picked up the win conceding one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out two. She’s started three games in a row for the Tigers and has thrown 266 pitches across all three games.

“I’m good. I’m all right,” Kowach said. “I’m a little sore, but I had to get the job done.”

Pitching isn’t Howland’s deepest position, so she has been asked to carry the load.

“She has the most pitching experience out of my two pitchers. She’s a senior. She’s college-bound player, so I expect someone of her caliber to go in day in and day out,” Howland coach Melissa Starkey said. “Obviously, she’s not going to throw all 20 games, but we depend on her a lot.”

Kowach gave way to Hartzell after six innings.

In Kowach’s last inning of work, Boardman’s Savannah Dempsey scored from third as Pavlansky was caught trying to steal second. Boardman loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, but nothing came of it. Hartzell coaxed a groundout to earn the save.

“That was the story of the game. At various times, we had runners at first and second and just could not get the big hit,” Trell said. “It happens in softball, you just have to regroup and battle.”