Rock Falls Misfires in Rocket Race
Three Rockridge Pitchers Combine for One-Hitter in 6-3 Non-Conference Win ...
| Northern Illinois Sports Beat http://www.northernillinoissportsbeat.com |
By Cody Cutter
Northern Illinois Sports Beat Publisher
EDGINGTON (Mar. 30) – When an early game is between two unbeaten teams, the
winner usually puts themselves on the map.
The unbeaten Rockridge Rockets accelerated into full speed to get there during their
game against fellow unbeaten Rock Falls. Rockridge pitchers Amanda Williams, Kaitlyn
Robison and Taylor Seaba combined for a one-hitter while the offense scored the first six
runs of the game in beating Rock Falls 6-3 at Rockridge High School.
Rock Falls (3-1) started the game with an infield single by Paige Last. That was all they
could do with the bat, however, as Williams retired the next 11 batters before giving up a
walk in the fourth inning. The team's No. 1 starter rested yesterday against Riverdale, and
it payed off.
“She looked very solid,” Rockridge coach Jenn Duyvejonck said. “We rested her
yesterday knowing we were going to throw her today. She came in and threw five very
solid innings of softball.
The time off allowed Williams to go into the sixth inning as she continued her one-hitter.
Before she finally tired out after two walks in the sixth, Williams had three strikeouts in 85
pitches.
“It's a big deal. The girls did amazing,” Williams said. “You can't ask for anything more
than your all. The girls gave it their all today and didn't give up.”
Seeing maroon on the bases helped Williams in her win. Rock Falls pitcher Taylor Byrd
was rocked for six runs in three innings. With runners on second and third with two outs in
the first inning, Rockridge's Gillian Goodwin hit a shallow pop-up toward first baseman
Jordan Giddings. The ball fell just outside Giddings' glove and allowed Jennifer Krueger
and Emily Woods to score. It was the second defensive woe in the inning, as Woods
reached on an underthrow of first base by Byrd.
“I guess I'm disappointed.” Rock Falls coach Kris Nunez said. “Today we came out and I
don't think I have any other words for it except 'flat'.”
Krueger brought home Molly Wright, who led off the inning with a single, in the third inning
with a single herself to center field. The bats were more productive in the fourth inning as
Rockridge (5-0) tacked three hits on Byrd. Wright drove in Caitlyn Lingle, who led off that
inning with a single, with a line drive to left-center field. Two batters later No. 9 hitter Nikki
Dixon launched a liner to right field to bring in Wright and courtesy runner Robison.
Rock Falls got its runs in the sixth inning without getting a hit. After Williams left after
walking two on in the sixth, Robison walked two herself. The two batters Williams walked,
Linsey Brown and Cheyenne Burnett, scored on passed balls. Robison walked Jessica
Raymond and Byrd before handing the ball to Seaba. After first striking out Amanda
O'Malley, Seaba made Giddings connect but for a ground out to short. That was still
enough to bring in Raymond from third base.
“They are a very, very good softball program,” Duyvejonck said. “We knew going in it was
going to be a tough game, and we were looking forward to playing them. We weren't
disappointed, they brought in very good competition. That's what we like to play, the best
competition around.”
Seaba struck out Vicki Jones to end the sixth inning, and struck out Ali Johanssen and
Brown both on three straight pitches to conclude the game with more strikeouts (four)
than Williams had (three) in a 26-pitch save.
Krueger (2-for-2), Goodwin (2-for-4) and Wright (2-for-3) each had multiple hit games for
Rockridge. Raymond was the only Rock Falls runner to reach base twice, with two walks in
three time at bat.
“Every win is a big win for us,” Williams said. “We take every game personally and work
our hardest. I feel that's what makes Rockridge one of the best teams around. I feel like
these girls really bring many different talents to the plate.”
Byrd struck out four, scattered six hits and walked two in throwing 69 pitches. Giddings
relieved, giving up two hits, striking out three and walking two.
“We're very young. We have three freshmen and a sophomore starting,” Nunez said. “We
have a lot to learn, and since its early in the season I hope we use this as a learning
experience, and know next time against a team like Rockridge you have to come ready to
play in the first inning.”
Cody Cutter is the Publisher of Northern Illinois Sports Beat. He can be reached at
Northernillinoissportsbeat@yahoo.com. --- Talk about what's written on our Message
Boards!
Northern Illinois Sports Beat Publisher
EDGINGTON (Mar. 30) – When an early game is between two unbeaten teams, the
winner usually puts themselves on the map.
The unbeaten Rockridge Rockets accelerated into full speed to get there during their
game against fellow unbeaten Rock Falls. Rockridge pitchers Amanda Williams, Kaitlyn
Robison and Taylor Seaba combined for a one-hitter while the offense scored the first six
runs of the game in beating Rock Falls 6-3 at Rockridge High School.
Rock Falls (3-1) started the game with an infield single by Paige Last. That was all they
could do with the bat, however, as Williams retired the next 11 batters before giving up a
walk in the fourth inning. The team's No. 1 starter rested yesterday against Riverdale, and
it payed off.
“She looked very solid,” Rockridge coach Jenn Duyvejonck said. “We rested her
yesterday knowing we were going to throw her today. She came in and threw five very
solid innings of softball.
The time off allowed Williams to go into the sixth inning as she continued her one-hitter.
Before she finally tired out after two walks in the sixth, Williams had three strikeouts in 85
pitches.
“It's a big deal. The girls did amazing,” Williams said. “You can't ask for anything more
than your all. The girls gave it their all today and didn't give up.”
Seeing maroon on the bases helped Williams in her win. Rock Falls pitcher Taylor Byrd
was rocked for six runs in three innings. With runners on second and third with two outs in
the first inning, Rockridge's Gillian Goodwin hit a shallow pop-up toward first baseman
Jordan Giddings. The ball fell just outside Giddings' glove and allowed Jennifer Krueger
and Emily Woods to score. It was the second defensive woe in the inning, as Woods
reached on an underthrow of first base by Byrd.
“I guess I'm disappointed.” Rock Falls coach Kris Nunez said. “Today we came out and I
don't think I have any other words for it except 'flat'.”
Krueger brought home Molly Wright, who led off the inning with a single, in the third inning
with a single herself to center field. The bats were more productive in the fourth inning as
Rockridge (5-0) tacked three hits on Byrd. Wright drove in Caitlyn Lingle, who led off that
inning with a single, with a line drive to left-center field. Two batters later No. 9 hitter Nikki
Dixon launched a liner to right field to bring in Wright and courtesy runner Robison.
Rock Falls got its runs in the sixth inning without getting a hit. After Williams left after
walking two on in the sixth, Robison walked two herself. The two batters Williams walked,
Linsey Brown and Cheyenne Burnett, scored on passed balls. Robison walked Jessica
Raymond and Byrd before handing the ball to Seaba. After first striking out Amanda
O'Malley, Seaba made Giddings connect but for a ground out to short. That was still
enough to bring in Raymond from third base.
“They are a very, very good softball program,” Duyvejonck said. “We knew going in it was
going to be a tough game, and we were looking forward to playing them. We weren't
disappointed, they brought in very good competition. That's what we like to play, the best
competition around.”
Seaba struck out Vicki Jones to end the sixth inning, and struck out Ali Johanssen and
Brown both on three straight pitches to conclude the game with more strikeouts (four)
than Williams had (three) in a 26-pitch save.
Krueger (2-for-2), Goodwin (2-for-4) and Wright (2-for-3) each had multiple hit games for
Rockridge. Raymond was the only Rock Falls runner to reach base twice, with two walks in
three time at bat.
“Every win is a big win for us,” Williams said. “We take every game personally and work
our hardest. I feel that's what makes Rockridge one of the best teams around. I feel like
these girls really bring many different talents to the plate.”
Byrd struck out four, scattered six hits and walked two in throwing 69 pitches. Giddings
relieved, giving up two hits, striking out three and walking two.
“We're very young. We have three freshmen and a sophomore starting,” Nunez said. “We
have a lot to learn, and since its early in the season I hope we use this as a learning
experience, and know next time against a team like Rockridge you have to come ready to
play in the first inning.”
Cody Cutter is the Publisher of Northern Illinois Sports Beat. He can be reached at
Northernillinoissportsbeat@yahoo.com. --- Talk about what's written on our Message
Boards!
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