Lady Gladiators cage the Wampus Cats in five

Kelly Lewis Posted March 28, 2009 4:15am Lady Gladiator Softball

Image: Striking the Lady Gladiator pose — Catcher, Bailey Bumpus warms-up before the game. — Striking the Lady Gladiator pose — Catcher, Bailey Bumpus warms-up before the game. (Kelly Lewis)

The Lady Gladiators played the Itasca Wampus Cats on Friday evening. The game, scheduled to be played in Itasca, had to be played in Italy. Recent rains caused the Itasca softball field to be unplayable. Regardless of the location the Lady Gladiators took to the field ready to play.

The Wampus Cats made a quick statement when their lead-off batter got on base with a single to the left side. Stealing second base then advancing to third on a throw, Itasca scored a run on an Italy throwing error. But, that was the end of the Wampus Cat offense. After the first half-inning it was all Italy.

Leading the offensive charge was Junior first baseman, Drew Windham. Windham batted a 1000, scored 3 of the 11 runs scored by the Lady Gladiators and had an RBI. Freshman, Megan Richards and Junior, Cori Jeffords mirrored each other step for step at the plate. Both batted a .667, scored 2 runs and had two RBIs. Bailey Bumpus (Fr) and Alma Suaste (Fr) each batted .333.

An important statistic that was noted when reading over the score book this evening was the number of Lady Gladiators that hit the ball in play every single at-bat that they had. Windham, Richards, Jeffords, Bumpus, Abby Griffith (Jr) and Marisela Perez (So) all had 100% contact at the plate and forced the Wampus Cats to work for every single out.

Defensively the Lady Gladiators were on their game. In this particular game (5 innings) Italy had to get a total of 15 outs. Of these 15 outs, 7 were fielded outs and 8 were strike-outs. This game showed great team effort by each and every player, all doing their job and doing it well.

Both of the pitchers on the Lady Gladiator roster were given time in circle during this game. Courtney Westbrook pitched 3 innings and had 4 strike-outs. Megan Richards closed the game, pitching the last two innings. Richards struck out four of the 6 batters she faced.

Final score 11-1. Italy is now 2-0 in district play. The win was the perfect gift for Abby Griffith who celebrated her 17th Birthday today. Happy Birthday Abby, and many more…wins!

Next week the Lady Gladiators will take on Avalon (Tuesday, March 31, 5:30) and Hubbard (Friday, April 3, 5:30). Both games at home. Be there!

Coach Richards — Assistant Coach Tina Richards oversees the throwing warm-ups. (Kelly Lewis)

Drew Windham at the plate — Drew Windham was the offensive player of the game, batting 1000 and scoring three runs. (Kelly Lewis)

Westbrook strides out — Courtney Westbrook brings the heat as the infield gets “down-n-ready”. (Kelly Lewis)

Routine Grounder — Cori Jeffords takes a routine grounder…. (Kelly Lewis)

Routine Throw — …and makes the routine throw to Windham at first base for the “routine out.” (Kelly Lewis)

A Floater — Megan Richards freezes the batter with her mean off speed drop ball. (Kelly Lewis)

Juniors on a mission — Courtney Westbrook, Meredith Brummett and Abby Griffith are just as focused on making the playoffs as they are on this next pitch. (Kelly Lewis)

“Rich” — Megan Richards added impressive numbers to her stat page against the Wampus Cats. (Kelly Lewis)

“Good Game” — “I’ll Say!” (Kelly Lewis)

Abby celebrates her 17th Birthday — Abby Griffith got to have her cake and eat it too as the Lady Gladiators’ wish came true when they defeated Itasca 11-1 on Abby’s 17th Birthday!
Happy Birthday Abby, we love you!!! (Barry Byers)