The
St Marys Mite girls took to the field Wednesday taking on Exeter at Teddy’s
field. After having their first game
rained out, the girls were excited to get into action and open the 2014
season. With a good mix of over-agers,
returning players and some rookies, the Mites were anxious to put all the
practice to the test.
Taking the field in their brand new uniforms, Julia Cameron took the mound and the K’s were flying.
Cameron struck out the order.
Cameron then led off in the bottom of the first with a solid double, stole third, and came home on a RBI single by Tianna Glousher.
St Marys added two more runs taking a 3 – 0 lead into the second.
Glousher pitched a shut-out second giving up two singles while earning two strike-outs to preserve the lead. Elora Vanderwal singled to lead off the bottom of the second, and came home on Shaylynn Ainslie’s RBI single give the hometown Mites a 4 – 0 lead.
In the third, Natalie Johnson took over the pitching duties. Despite a hit batter to start the inning, Johnson dug deep and struck out the next batter. Two walks were then surrendered and an error in the field allowed Exeter to claw their way back and finish the inning with a 4 – 5 lead. A little shaken by the lead change, the hometown batters struggled at the plate starting the inning with two strikeouts. However, the veteran Glousher was patient at the plate and drew a walk and eventually stole second. Lauren Gracey was equally patient drawing another St Marys walk which allowed Avery Aarts’ RBI single to tie the game. Johnson then singled brining home Gracey for the lead. The girls sensed a momentum shift and were on the attack with a well-timed double steal leaving runners at second and third. Anna Standeaven drew another walk to load the bases but that was all the scoring.
St Marys went on to an 11 – 6 victory in their season opener. Coach Staci Glousher summed up the game by saying “everybody did well. Our new girls are doing well learning their positions. We are going to have a fun year!” Asked after the game how her team did, rookie Sarah Lynch responded “good!”
Next action for the Mites is May 28 as they host Lucan at Teddy’s Field for a 6:30 start.