Amanda-Clearcreek holds off Warren, 10-6

AMANDA – Amanda-Clearcreek softball coach Ben Hedrick knows there will be games like this, mainly because his team is so young.

The Aces start a freshman, five sophomores, two juniors and a senior. Usually when a team is young, it is inconsistent, and that is what took place Saturday against visiting Warren.

However, Amanda-Clearcreek showed its potential by jumping out to a 10-0 lead, but then their youthfulness came out when the Aces had a chance to close the game out in the fifth inning because of the run-rule.

The Aces gave up five runs in the fifth and a run in the sixth — and didn't help their cause by committing four errors during that stretch — but held on for a 10-6 victory over the Warriors.

"We came out and hit the ball well, especially the first couple of innings," Hedrick said. "I was really pleased with our focus and the fact that we were ready to play right from the start.

"But I was not very happy after we went up 10-0. I thought we lost our focus because we could have closed that game out, but we let them get back in the game. We are a young team, but that is not a reason to lose your focus."

The Aces (5-5) had 13 hits in the first four innings in building their big lead, but failed to get a hit in the final two innings.

Amanda-Clearcreek scored three runs in the first inning. Haley Hedrick led off with a single, was sacrificed to second by Kaitlyn Hines. Courtney Bussert reached on an infield hit and Kassidy Hines loaded the bases on error by the pitcher. Maddie Tolliver then delivered a single that scored two runs, and another error allowed the third run to score.

The Aces made it 5-0 in the second inning. Hedrick got things started again. After a pop out, she hit a triple. Hines walked and Bussert plated a run with a single. Hines would eventually score on a wild pitch.

Amanda-Clearcreek blew the game open in the fourth by scoring five more runs. The Aces had seven hits, highlighted by Bussert, who knocked in two runs. Kassidy Hines and Tolliver also had an RBI each.

Bussert went 3-for-3 with three RBI and two runs to lead the way for the Aces, and Hedrick was 3-for-4 and scored three runs. Tolliver had two hits and three RBI.

The Aces used three pitchers in the game, with Reanna Moline starting. She was relieved by Kassidy Hines in the fourth and Samantha Harvey entered in the sixth inning and finished the game.

"We are progressing as a team, especially with how young we are," Hedrick said. "I'm pleased with where we are, but we need to keep progressing. We are much improved over last year and we are a lot more competitive."

twilson@lancastereaglegazette.com

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