by Devan Matthews
Correspondent
The Maple Heights High School softball team opened up the 2008 season in fine fashion recently, knocking off Lake Erie League Erie Division rival Warrensville Heights by the score of 11-5 at home April 7.
The win was the third in a row for the Mustangs over the Tigers. Maple Heights swept the season series between the two squads last year.
Pitcher Sam DeJarnett (1-0) notched the pitching victory for the Mustangs. She threw a complete game, allowing three earned runs, striking out three batters and walking one.
"There were a lot of ground balls," said Maple Heights head coach Rocco Covelli. "There were maybe seven or eight ground balls right to our infield. There weren't many balls that were hit very hard."
The score was tied 3-3 entering the bottom of the fifth inning. However, the Mustangs proceeded to score four runs in their half of the fifth stanza and four more in the bottom of the sixth frame.
"In the fifth and sixth innings, we dominated their pitcher," said Covelli. "We batted around both times. We sent 10 batters to the plate. That was the difference in the game right there."
Those eight runs were more than enough for DeJarnett, who disposed of the Tigers with the help of her defense.
"We did a very good job defensively," said Covelli, "especially [senior] Crystal Alexander. It was her first game as a varsity catcher, and she did a great job."
At the plate, junior Krystina Pace smashed three hits and drove in three runs. In addition, senior Monica Daniel racked up three RBIs, and junior Shanae James produced two hits.
"Before last season, we were 0-6 against Warrensville the previous three years," said Covelli. "After sweeping them last year and then beating them in the opener this season, it's a good feeling. There was a time when we thought we might never beat those guys."
Maple Heights has had four games postponed so far this season: at Brooklyn April 1; vs. Regina April 3; and a doubleheader against Cleveland Central Catholic at home April 5.
Right now, it's not clear which contests will be made up and which ones will not.
This week, the Mustangs have two more games on the schedule. Maple Heights was set to host Shaw April 9, but results were not available at press time.
On April 10, the Mustangs will welcome Rhodes to town. In addition, they originally had a doubleheader slated against Lake Ridge Academy for April 12. However, since that's the day that the ACT test is administered, that twin bill has been postponed.
"We're going to be completely loaded for the next three or four weeks," said Covelli. "We could use this break right now to get ready for that stretch. We want to be prepared for it."
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