(March 28th, 2015) – CINCINNATI: The bats were live in Cincinnati, as Hilltop took on New Richmond in their second of two games played on the day. With each team accumulating 12 hits, there was no shortage of offense on the neutral field.
An early deficit proved too much for the Lady Cadets to overcome, as they dropped the tight contest 6-4.
Hilltop began the game by driving in a run during the top half of the first inning. New Richmond was quick to respond, however, scoring 4 runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. After a quite second, the third inning saw the girls of West Unity earn another 2 runs, while New Richmond added 1 more to their total.
New Richmond had another runner cross home plate in the fifth inning, giving themselves a 6-3 advantage. Immediately afterward, in the top of the sixth, Hilltop answered with another run as well, but they were unable to make up any ground on their opponent. Being shut out in the seventh and final inning, the game would end with the Cadets down a pair of runs.
Allie Schmitt had a spectacular day for Hilltop, despite her team’s defeat. Going 3 for 4 from the plate, the junior hit her first home run of the season, complimenting the blast with 2 singles. She also drove in a team leading 2 RBIs. Classmate Karissa Crisenberry also went 3 for 4 against the New Richmond pitching, reaching first base 3 times and bringing in 1 RBI. Bailey Funkhouser added 2 hits of her own, a pair of singles.
When on the field, the Cadet defense played solid. Stranding 11 runners on base, they were able to minimize the damage from their 2 errors in the contest. Funkhouser, who pitched all six innings, gave up 6 earned runs on 12 hits. She only walked a single batter, striking out 2 in the loss.
The loss puts Hilltop at a 1-1 record on the young season.