(April 16th, 2015) – STRYKER: It wasn’t until the fifth inning that anyone would have guessed the contest between Hilltop and Stryker would come to an early conclusion, Yet that’s exactly what happened, as the Lady Cadets overwhelmed their Panther hosts in the top of the fifth.
That late effort gave the girls of West Unity a 12-0 win over the Lady Panthers.
In the top of the opening inning, Hilltop gained an early advantage thanks to a 2 run showing. The Stryker offense, which struggled throughout the game, was unable to rebut. The Cadets would strike again in the third, racking up 3 more runs. This gave them a 5-0 lead going into the fourth inning.
Neither side was able to score in the fourth. The fifth inning, however, was Hilltop’s to take. In the top end of said inning, the Lady Cadets scored an impressive 7 runs. Suddenly needing 3 runs to keep playing, the Lady Panthers found themselves unable to do so, ending the game.
A major portion of the Hilltop game plan was to test the Panther defense on the base paths. Several Cadets stole bases throughout the contest. Ariana Brown led the way, as the sophomore took 3 bases. Bailey Funkhouser, Allie Schmitt, and Becca Miller all registered a stolen base as well.
Miller, a freshman, also knocked in an RBI single from the batter’s box. Junior Karissa Crisenbery hit for a single and a double, earning an RBI as well.
Katie Yoder hit a single for Stryker, as the senior was one of two Panther batters to register a hit. Emily Cadwell also got on base with a hit, getting a single as well.
Bailey Funkhouser assumed pitching duties for Hilltop in all five innings. The junior gave up no earned runs and only 2 hits. She also had 8 strikeouts and 1 walk.
Miranda Maynard managed the mound for Stryker. Pitching for all five innings, the sophomore gave up 5 earned runs off of 9 hits. Maynard struck out 3 batters, walking 2 more in the loss.
