Strong pitching helps ladies win
By KRIS BAGLEY sports@leader-news.com

The Lady Ricebirds can win the close ones.

In a softball game filled with strong pitching on both sides, El Campo was able to hold off Sweeny for a 2-1 win Tuesday.

So far this season, the Lady 'Birds have several one-run wins, including two in the El Campo tournament last week. It is those close wins that Head Coach Shane Wagner hopes will prepare his team for tough games later in the schedule.

"I think out of our six victories, five of them have been one-run games," Wagner said. "We have proven that we can win the close games. That's something for this team right here to prove to themselves that not only can they win, but they can win the tight games against good teams."

El Campo's latest win was no different as Emily Bergstrom pitched a strong game for the team. Through seven innings, she struck out six batters and held the Lady Bulldogs to one run.

It was just enough to get past Sweeny's high-speed hurler, Allie Chenault.

"This year, just about every team we've faced, except for one exception, has had strong pitching," Wagner said. "Of course, that's what I'm looking for out of a pre-district schedule. I love facing pitchers like that and to face pitchers like that and succeed just makes it more enjoyable."

El Campo got on the scoreboard early with strong play in the bottom of the first.

With one out, Angela Fiala blasted a deep fly ball to left field for a triple.

Brittney Oates sent a sharply-hit ground ball to Sweeny's shortstop in the next at-bat. While she tried to beat out the throw to first base, Fiala sprinted home for the first score of the game.

The Lady 'Birds grabbed another run in the bottom of the fourth.

After the first two batters struck out swinging, Kristi Michaelsen drew a walk.

Lindsey Marik followed Michaelsen's at-bat with a single and so did Anna Raun. With the bases loaded, Fiala came through with the big hit.

Another single scored Michaelsen to give El Campo a 2-0 lead.

Sweeny's only run of the game came in the top of the fifth. It cut El Campo's advantage to 2-1, but as the game went on, the Lady 'Birds' defense and pitching prevented Sweeny from a complete comeback.

The Lady 'Birds are enjoying some nice winning momentum early in the season. This time last year, the team was struggling against many of the same teams.

Now, Wagner said, it is as if something has changed with the mentality of the Lady 'Birds. They believe and that could mean great things as the season progresses.

"I actually think our schedule so far to this point has been tougher than last year," Wagner said. "Last year, I think they finally proved to themselves with a good district performance that they can win. They didn't know they could. Now this year, we've just carried over with the returning starters that I have as far as defense goes.

"I have some real good leadership from the seniors on this team. That helps in a tight, close situation. This team is a close-knit team. You really have to have that, especially with a girls team, to succeed."