Leopards shake off fatigue, top Rebels

April 24, 2010|By BRETT NIEVES/Staff Correspondent

SMITHSBURG -- Smithsburg's softball team had no problem battling through the fatigue of playing their third game in three days and fourth in five days defeating South Hagerstown 10-4 on Friday in the MVAL Antietam.

The Leopards (7-4, 5-3) used three pitchers -- Paige Decker, Shayla Murray and Cara Ferguson -- to hold the Rebels' offense to six hits.

"We're blessed to have the pitching we do," said Smithsburg coach Katy Barnhart. "We like to get everybody reps. Plus, we've had a lot games this week and they get tired."

Half of the Rebels' runs came in the first inning. Leadoff batter Destanie Agee walked and eventually crossed home on Taylor Leather's single. Leather came around to score on Katilyn Mades' single for South (0-12, 0-9).

The Leopards exploded for five runs in the second. Danielle Beaver hit a two-run double, Danielle Hudson followed with an RBI double and Murray hit an inside-the-park home run -- her second of the season -- to score two more and give Smithsburg a 5-2 lead.

"I was listening to my coaches," said Murray. "They were both telling me to come home."

The Leopards increased their lead to 6-2 in the third with an RBI single by Decker.

The Rebels rallied in the fourth. Courtney Showe reached on a third-strike wild pitch. Agee followed with a fly ball to deep center that was dropped for an error as Agee and Showe both rounded the bases, making the score 6-4.

Smithsburg answered back in the bottom half. Beaver doubled, Hudson singled and both crossed home on wild pitches later in the inning. Karah Knight's RBI groundout sent Kayla Wastler home.

Wastler hit an RBI double in the sixth inning to cap the Leopards' scoring.

South 200 200 0 -- 4 6 1
Smithsburg 051 301 x -- 10 12 2
Herr and Sharpe. Decker, Murray (3), Ferguson (5) and Sprecher. WP -- Ferguson. LP -- Herr. HR -- Sm: Murray (2nd, none on).

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