Spartans outlast Cougars in softball

Published 1:30 pm Thursday, May 11, 2017

BAINBRIDGE – The Spartans moved into first place in the Metro League fastpitch standings by eking out a 7-5 win over Holy Names earlier last week.

A win at Holy Names on Thursday will clinch the regular season title for the Spartans.

Bainbridge put four runs on the scoreboard in the second inning.

With one out, the Spartans’ Olivia Wikstrom reached on an error. Megan Spray bunted for a single.

Abby Sullivan cleared the bases with a three-run home run, her first as a Spartan.

The Spartan hit parade continued as Morgan Lassoff followed with a single. A sacrifice bunt from Kensey Baker moved Lassoff to second. Tiana Rabang then brought Lassoff home with a two-out single.

Holy Names answered with three runs in the third to cut Bainbridge’s lead to 4-3.

A walk and an error put runners on first and second. Nicole Johnson singled in one run for Holy Names, then stole second and scored on Logan Luebbe’s two-run single. Two more singles loaded the bases.

Spartan Coach Haylee Baker then replaced Peato in the circle with Wikstrom. Wikstrom escaped the jam without giving up a run, inducing a pop up to the infield, a ground ball to Sara Colley at shortstop, who made the play to the plate to force the lead runner. A flyball to Rabang in right field ended the HNA rally.

Bainbridge added three needed insurance runs in the sixth highlighted by a double steal by Loverich (of second) and Baker (of home).

Loverich also scored on the play as the catcher’s throw to second base got past the centerfielder.

Wikstrom escaped another bases-loaded jam in the fourth.

In the seventh, Wikstrom gave up two runs on a single, a walk, a couple of wild pitches and a double.

The Spartans moved to 14-2 with the victory (13-1 Metro League).

Abby Sullivan went 1-for-3 at the plate for BHS, with a home run, three RBIs and a run.

Lassoff finished with 2-for-3 batting and two runs.

Rabang went 1-for-2 with an RBI; Wikstrom finished 2-for-3 with a run.

Loverich was 1-for-4, with an RBI, run and stolen base.