North does right things to beat South

May 09, 2002|BY JACK HILL III

Staff Correspondent

Sometimes it's not the spectacular things that win games, it's the necessary ones.

The North Hagerstown softball team got early offense and solid pitching, definitely necessary things, and turned them into a 7-3 victory over city rival South Hagerstown on Wednesday to split the season series.

North's Sierra Routzahn allowed just one earned run and scattered six hits in her first complete game of the season for the Hubs (4-16, 3-15 MVAL).

"I just threw strikes," Routzahn said. "I felt like that I was in control for the whole time. I think that we all played good as a team. ... It was a good win going into the region tournament."

North Hagerstown coach Brian Guessford was pleased with Routzahn's pitching performance.

"She got a little bit tired near the end of the game, but she hung tough," Guessford said. "Whenever she got behind in the count, she was able to battle back."

The Hubs got on the board first on Danielle Brooks' RBI single in the top of the first, but the Rebels (3-14, 3-14) tied it on Allison Wine's bases-loaded walk.

The Hubs took the lead for good in the second. Sara Austin's fielder's choice knocked in Jessica Becke and Brooks singled in Routzahn for a 3-1 game.

"We gutted out a tough win," Guessford said. "We hit the ball. We came through with some clutch hits. We have shown a tremendous amount of improvement in all areas since the beginning of the season."

North 7, South 3

North 1220011-763

South 1000110-361

Routzahn and Brooks. Higgs, Atkinson (3) and Line. WP-Routzahn (2-6). LP-Higgs (0-2).

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