By Staff
Brandywine jumped out to an early lead as it swept a Lakeland Conference softball doubleheader at Edwardsburg Tuesday afternoon.
The Bobcats, now 13-1 overall and 6-0 in league play, led 9-0 in the fourth inning of the opening game before allowing two runs by the Eddies (3-10, 0-4).
Brittany Bennett, who relieved Nicki McGowen in the fourth inning, earned the pitching victory in the first game. Jenna Bowman took the loss for Edwardsburg.
Jessica Keeton led Brandywine at the plate in the opener with a single, double and triple for three RBIs. Emily Christiansen also hit a double for the Bobcats.
Samantha Fritsche hit a triple for two RBIs for the Eddies.
McGowen tossed a no-hitter in the second game as Brandywine cruised to a 12-0 victory. Shana Stoops took the loss for Edwardsburg.
Nakisha Washington hit a triple and a double for Brandywine in the nightcap while Keeton continued her effectiveness at the plate with a double. Christiansen added a triple.
Brandywine travels to Bridgman Thursday.
Brandywine….9
Edwardsburg….2
Brandywine 305 100 0--9 12 0
Edwardsburg 000 200 0--2 2 4
Nicki McGowen, Brittany Bennett (4, W); Jenna Bowman (L, 0-3).
3B: Jessica Keeton (B), Samantha Fritsche (E)
2B: Keeton (B), Emily Christiansen (B)
Brandywine….12
Edwardsburg….0
Brandywine 073 02--12 11 0
Edwardsburg 000 00--0 0 8
Nicki McGowen (W); Shana Stoops (L, 1-5).
3B: Nakisha Washington (B), Emily Christiansen (B)
2B: Jessica Keeton (B)
Team records: Brandywine 13-1 (6-0 Lakeland), Edwardsburg 3-10 (0-4 Lakeland)
Eddies split
The Niles softball team opened its season with a loss, but quickly rebounded and picked up a victory in the second game of Wednesday's non-conference doubleheader with Edwardsburg.
The visiting Eddies won the opener 5-3 before Niles bounced back for a 2-1 victory in the nightcap.
Kari Eckstein took the loss for Niles in the first game despite throwing 11 strikeouts. She gave up seven hits. Shanna Stoops earned the victory for Edwardsburg.
Ashton Parks had two hits to pace the Vikings at the plate in the first game. Tasha Lary, Jessica Johnson, Kate Whittaker, Krystal Lary, Stephanee Schrader, Jessica Cornelius and Kayla Gross each added a hit for Niles.
Crystal Crouch earned the pitching victory for the Vikings in the second game as she struck out four and gave up five hits. Jenna Bowman took the loss for Edwardsburg.
Parks again led Niles at the plate with two hits including a double that brought home the winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Krystal Lary had three hits for the Vikings as well.
Niles returns to action today at home against South Bend Washington at 5 p.m.
Edwardsburg….5
Niles……………..3
Edwardsburg 002 003 0--5 7 1
Niles 002 100 0--3 9 2
Shanna Stoops (W, 1-2) and Samantha Fritsche; Kari Eckstein (L, 0-1) and Nikki Lintz.
2B: Jenna Bowman (E)
Niles……………..2
Edwardsburg….1
Edwardsburg 000 001 0--1 5 1
Niles 010 000 1--2 10 1
Crystal Crouch (W, 1-0) and Nikki Lintz; Jenna Bowman (L, 0-1) and Samantha Fritsche.
2B: Ashton Parks (N), Kelli Kretchman (E), Jessica Shotwell (E)