Softball team ends busy week with a sweep of East Hardy

Berkeley Springs climbed over the .500 mark in girls' softball, winning five of seven games last week, including a double header sweep of visiting East Hardy on Saturday, April 7.

"This double header sweep was much needed," said Berkeley Springs coach Greg Brown. They came in with a winning record and we took care of business. Sam Zahnow and Katie Kesecker did a great job on the mound."

The Indians took the first game of the double header 9-2, with Zahnow picking up her second win of the year.

Berkeley Springs, which out hit East Hardy ten to five, scored two runs in the first inning, one in the second and two more in the third for a 5-0 lead. That was more than enough support for Zahnow who went the distance, allowing two runs on five hits. She struck out five and walked one.

Kayla Hill provided much of the offense with a pair of singles and a triple in four plate appearances. Hill scored one run and collected three RBI. Sarah Risinger had two hits and scored two runs with a RBI.

In the nightcap, the Cougars jumped on starting pitcher Kesecker for two runs in the top of the first for a quick 2-0 lead. The lead was short lived however as the Indians scored three times in their half of the inning for a 3-2 lead.

East Hardy regained the lead with two more runs in the third, before the Indians tied the game with a single run in the bottom of the inning.

Berkeley Springs scored two runs in the fourth and six more runs in the sixth to put the game away. East Hardy scored a single run in the seventh to make the final Berkeley Springs 12, East Hardy 5.

Kesecker went the distance for her fourth win of the year against two losses. The sophomore allowed five runs on eight hits, striking out four and walking one.

Risinger, Zahnow and Amanda Waltman had three hits each. Risinger had a double, two singles and scored three runs. Waltman had a pair of doubles and single, scored one run with three RBI, while Zahnow had three singles and scored three runs.

Kesecker and Alyssa Spielman had two hits each. Kesecker secored a run and had 2 RBI, while Spielman had a RBI and a run scored.

The week didn't start out too well for the Indians, however, as they dropped the first game of a twinbill against visiting Frankfort, 6-2.

Frankfort, Berkeley Springs' sectional rival, took a 3-2 lead after three innings of play and then added three more runs in the fifth to secure the four-run victory.

Zahnow started and was tagged with the loss. She allowed six runs on 12 hits, walking one and striking out two. The Indians managed only four hits off Frankfort, two by Kesecker and one each by Zahnow and Lauren Hill.

Berkeley Springs won the nightcap with a dominating 13-2, five-inning win.

Kesecker started and went the distance allowing only two runs on one hit. She struck out two and walked one.

The Indians scored two runs in the top of the first for a 2-0 lead, but Frankfort tied the game 2-2, with two runs in the bottom of the second, before Berkeley Springs put the game away with a six-run third. They added four runs in the fourth and one run in the fifth for the final margin of victory.

"These two games were like night and day," said Brown. "I think everyone was pressing and nervous in the first game because it was Frankfort. Unfortunately they didn't realize we were the better team. The kids started gaining confidence in the second game and ended the seven-game winning streak that Frankfort had on us over the past three years. We kicked that monkey off our back. I thought Katie Kesecker did a good job of shutting down the Frankfort offense."

Berkeley Springs extended their winning streak to three games with a double header sweep of Hampshire County on Wednesday, April 4, by respective scores of 10-0 and 15-2.

Kesecker picked up her second win of the season with a shutout in game one. Kesecker allowed no runs on three hits, striking out four, with no walks in six complete innings.

The Indian bats came alive, scoring runs in every inning but the third, on their way to the easy victory. Kesecker helped her won cause with two extra base hits and a single. She scored two runs and had one RBI. Waltman and Ashley Hovermale also had three hits in the game. Waltman scored two runs, while Hovermale had three RBI.

Risinger and Susannah Bennett also collected multiple hits. Risinger had a single and a double and two RBI, while Bennett had a pair of singles with a run scored.

The bats stayed hot in the nightcap as the Indians cruised past the Trojans 15-2 in five innings.

Zahnow had the big bat going 4-4, with three doubles, a triple, five RBI and four runs scored. Kesecker had two hits and scored two runs.

The game was never in doubt, with the Indians jumping out to a 6-1 lead after the first two innings of play and then added four more runs in the fourth inning and five in the fifth for the lopsided win.

Kesecker went the distance to pick up her third consecutive win. She allowed two runs on four hits, walking two and striking out seven.

"Katie had really stepped up for us this year," said Brown. "She has been the workhorse of the pitching staff. She has pitched in eight of our eleven games. She won both ends of the double header and went 5-7 at the plate. What coach doesn't want that?"

The trip to Southern Fulton on Thursday, April 5, is one that Brown would like to forget about. The Tribe lost to their Pennsylvania rival 12-3 with a performance that had Brown fuming.

"This game was an embarrassment," said an angry Brown. "I don't know if in my ten years here if I've ever seen a Berkeley Springs team quit. We were close to that today. I told the girls we will never use injuries or weather as an excuse for losing. This was a very disappointing loss not only because of the score, but because of the effort and attitude we put forth."

Southern Fulton scored runs in each of the first three innings to take a 5-0 lead. After Berkeley Springs finally got on the board with a single run in the top of the fourth, Southern Fulton closed the door on an Indian comeback with three runs in the bottom of the inning for an 8-1 lead and then cruised to the easy victory.

Kesecker was tagged with the loss. She worked the first three innings, allowing five runs on four hits. She walked two and struck out two. Zahnow pitched the final three innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking two.

Waltman had three hits, scored a run with a RBI and Hovermale had two hits and one RBI to lead the Berkeley Springs offense.

"Going 5-2 during the week wasn't bad, but we should have been 7-0," Brown said.

Though Brown was somewhat disappointed that the Indians lost two games, he was very happy to see some players start to step up.

"Sarah Risinger, Ashley Hovermale and Kayla Hill have pumped up their offense this week while playing solid defense," said Brown. "Alyssa Spielman moved from first to centerfield because of some injuries and has done a great job out there. Spielman is a coach's dream. She will play anywhere and get the job done."

Berkeley Springs doesn't play again until they travel to Hancock for a single game on April 16. They will return home on April 18 to host a double header against Keyser.