Jeff Tully
Things got wild, and downright ugly, at times in the nonleague
softball game between Providence and Bellarmine-Jefferson highs.
But instead of putting down her opponent, or focusing on the bad
things her team did, Pioneer Coach Maggie Boozel chose to spotlight
the positives in a 24-8 victory against the visiting Guards at Olive
Park.
The game was called after four innings because of the 10-run mercy
rule.
"The good thing for us in this game is we were able to work on
some things, and we were able to get some of our players into the
game who normally don't get a lot of playing time," Boozel said.
"Even with the bad things, you can always get positives out of a
situation like this. I am happy for the things we did well."
One of the positives for the Pioneers (2-6) was they limited the
Guards to just one hit -- that coming on a single in the first inning
by Ester Diaz.
The team also received fine performances from first baseman Sara
Anderson and catcher Danielle Austin. Anderson went two for three
with three runs scored, two runs batted in and a walk and Austin was
three for three with three runs scored, two RBI and a walk.
Bell-Jeff (1-4) actually was in the game in early innings, as
Providence freshman pitcher Natalie Kasbarian had some problems in
the circle.
Kasbarian was called for a balk against the second batter she
faced, which seemed to rattle the first-year player.
"Natalie is a very shy person to begin with," Boozel said. "She
didn't even want to pitch this game because she was so nervous.
"But when she was called for the balk, I really think that got to
her. That made her even more nervous."
Taking advantage of six walks and two hit batters, the Guards were
able to score five runs in the first two innings.
Providence came back to tie the score at 5 with two runs in the
bottom of the second inning.
Then things got really wild. Pitchers on both sides continued to
struggle, leading to a cavalcade of runs -- mostly by the Pioneers.
When the game was finally called, the Guards and Pioneers had
racked up some pretty unimpressive numbers. Along with scoring 32
runs on just nine hits, they also combined for 25 walks, eight
errors, six hit batters and three balks.
The Pioneers, who begin Liberty League play Thursday with a 3:30
p.m. game against North Hollywood Oakwood at Olive Park, scored 24
runs on eight hits.
*--*
BOX SCORE
*--*
*--*
Bell-Jeff 1 4 0 3 -- 8 1 6
Prov. 3 2 5 14 -- 24 8 2 *--*
*--*
Bell-Jeff IP H R ER BB K
J. Vera 3 7 10 8 4 0
Campos 2 1 14 8 8 1 V. Vera 1 0 0 0 3 0
Totals 4 8 24 16 15 1
*--*
*--*
Providence IP H R ER BB K
Kasbarian 3 1 5 4 6 2
Suedkamp 1 0 3 3 4 1
Totals 4 1 8 7 10 3
*--*
*--*
WP-- Kasbarian (1-0).
LP-- J. Vera (n/a).
2B: P-Barakat
SB: P-Suedkamp 4, Blair 2, Roche, James-Jolly, Anderson, Barakat,
Contreas.
*--*
