NHS lady softballers claim 4-3 win over GB
By Missy Hinks

The Nordhoff Lady Rangers met on the field against the girls from Grace Brethren. Grace Brethren started strong with pitcher J. Palacios doubling in two runs in the first, and L. Orona belting a solo home run in the second. In the bottom of two the Lady Rangers made their move, with cleanup batter Candace Schmidt singling to left, to start the charge.

A great throw by Brethren's catcher B. Palacio put out Schmidt at two. A sharp single to right by Carly Witt put a runner on first. Mallory Hinks singled a shot to right scoring Witt.

In the top of the third, Ranger pitcher Rachelle Madrid took care of two herself with a strikeout, putout, and a final fly ball to left field. In the bottom of the third, catcher Sarah Stoltz tripled with a hard shot to left, but was unable to come across the plate.

Nordhoff's defense came through again in the top of four, with a fantastic catch in right field by Liscian Charolla for the first out, a putout from third baseman Shanice Garcia to first baseman Ali Weedon, and a strikeout.

Lady Ranger Schmidt came through once more, to start the fourth with a hard ground ball single to left. Right fielder Charolla reach first on a dropped third strike. With two on, Carly Witt proved her power with a center field home run to clear the bases, and bring Nordhoff up by one run.

Knowing they would have to hold the hard-hitting Grace Brethren in the top of the fifth, the Ranger defense dazzled the fans, with a sharp line out to Madrid up the middle for the first out, and a spectacular diving catch by Christina Stoltz in the outfield for out number two, to save a run crossing the plate. Shanice Garcia snatched the third out, with her solid glove snagging a sharp line drive.

Shut down in the bottom of five, the Rangers took the field. Brethren's hard hitting catcher, B. Palacio doubled to center field to start her team off. Teammate J. Palacio reached on an error, to put the winning run on first.

Madrid worked well under pressure, pitching two strikeouts. She worked her way out of the inning with a line out to third baseman Garcia.
Once again Brethren's pitcher, J. Palacios shut down the side to end the sixth.

Nordhoff pitcher Madrid shined again in the top of seven, with a strikeout swinging, a putout by the shortstop Hinks, and a strike out looking for the third out, and the game winner.

Madrid racked up 10 strikeouts for the game.

2003 The Ojai Valley News

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