On senior night, Lakewood’s softball team dominates from start to finish
Senior Caroline Dunning scores in the first inning on Monday night softball game against the Clearwater Tornadoes at Lake Vista Park. Dunning scored on a passed ball made by the the Tornadoes pitcher, which made the game 8-0. (TONY RENGIFO | SNN)
By TONY RENGIFO
SNN Staff Writer
The Lakewood High School softball team defeated the visiting Clearwater Tornadoes in three innings, 16-1, on Monday night at Lake Vista Park. This was no contest as by the end of the first inning the Spartans were up 10-0.
Starting the game, sophomore Allison Campbell struck out the first batter she saw, allowed a walk, and then went right back to striking out, fanning the next two batters.
"I think I did good last night," she said Tuesday. "The other team was inexperienced so ...."
"She pitched really good," senior Marisa Rivera said.
Rivera said Campbell has stepped up to replace Mariah Watts, last year's pitcher who graduated.
"There were big shoes to fill and she filled them. She exceeded expectations," Rivera said.
In the bottom half, a two RBI (runs batted in) double by junior Angelina Carney, an RBI single by junior Elinor Gale and three other hits, five passed balls, and four walks all in the first inning led the Lady Spartans to score 10 runs, taking a gigantic early lead.
Except allowing a hit to the second batter of the inning, Campbell continued where she left off, striking out three more batters to let her team get back to offense.
The bottom of the second inning saw another run scored by the Lady Spartans. A single by Rivera and a throwing error by the defense lead to freshman Victoria Hadley advancing from second all the way to home.
Campbell continued her triumphant performance, striking out three more batters and allowing a run. She finished with nine strikeouts, two hits, two walks and a run allowed.
Now an 11-1 game, the Lady Spartans needed five more runs to mercy rule the Clearwater Tornadoes. Due to three hits, a walk, a couple passed balls, and a huge error by the opposing team, the Lady Spartans quickly scored all five.
In the final play, freshman Emmaline Bogner hit a grounder to first base where the first basemen would make an error and allow two more runs to score, making the score 16-1.
Monday night was also Senior Night, and Rivera and Caroline Dunning were honored during a pre-game ceremony.
On what she'll miss the most from her four years of playing softball Rivera said, "Probably all of the girls. All of the fun we had. We're like a family. It was a great experience." Rivera plans to go attend Saint Leo University in Pasco County next year.
"I'll miss Marisa in the outfield," Carney said.