by Devan Matthews
Correspondent
The Maple Heights softball team split a pair of games recently. Fortunately for the Mustangs, the game that they won was against a Lake Erie League Erie Division opponent.
Maple Heights suffered a 6-3 loss to Cleveland Rhodes at home April 10. However, the Mustangs rebounded with an impressive 18-3 win over division rival Cleveland Heights on the road April 14.
As a result, Maple Heights now sports an overall record of 2-1 and a ledger of 2-0 in league action.
According to Maple Heights head coach Rocco Covelli, one inning hurt the Mustangs in their loss to Rhodes. That inning was the fourth frame.
"We basically lost the game in one inning," said Covelli. "It was a five-run, five-error inning. We threw the ball all over the place. We were okay the rest of the way; we just couldn't hit the ball very well. Rhodes didn't even have a hit in that inning. We had a dropped third strike, bunts that were thrown into right field, you name it. It was a nightmare."
Senior Sam DeJarnett started on the mound for Maple Heights and went the distance. She allowed no earned runs and struck out seven batters.
"Sam pitched great," said Covelli. "There was just the one bad inning, where everyone in the infield had one error."
Two players led the Mustangs offensively with two hits apiece. They were junior Shanae James and senior Crystal Alexander, the first and second batters in the order.
Hitters five through nine were a combined 0-for-15 at the plate.
"We had six hits at the top of the order," said Covelli. "The bottom of the order didn't do much in that game."
In stark contrast to the Rhodes contest was the victory against Cleveland Heights. Maple Heights run-ruled the Tigers with a near-flawless performance.
"It was a little surprising," said Covelli. "The Cleveland Heights pitcher is pretty good. She threw fast. We played small ball during the first two innings, and then we started driving the ball to all parts of the outfield."
DeJarnett benefited from the offensive support, notching her second pitching victory of the season. She relinquished three hits and one earned run, whiffing 11 batters.
"Sam was pretty dominating," said Covelli. "It was nice to see her pitch like that."
Maple Heights boasted a number of offensive leaders. The Mustangs racked up a total of 18 hits overall.
Alexander led the way with three singles, a triple and three RBIs, while junior Shanna Gregory produced three hits and three RBIs.
In addition, junior Krystina Pace had two hits with the bases loaded, which chased home five runs.
Other major contributors included DeJarnett (two singles, two RBIs), senior Monica Daniel (two bunt singles) and James (two singles).
"Everyone in our lineup had at least one hit," said Covelli.
On April 16, Maple Heights was set to travel to Admiral King, but results weren't available at press time.
On April 18, the Mustangs are slated to host Shaker Heights. On April 19, Maple Heights will play a doubleheader against Cleveland Central Catholic at home.
"We're happy being 2-0 in the league," said Covelli. "Things are looking up right now."
E-mail: stowsports@recordpub.com
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