Softball dominates in first action of fall
9/19/2015 4:40:00 PM | Softball
Last season, the Montana softball team finished its home schedule with large amounts of momentum, winning seven of the final eight games. On Saturday, almost five months since the last home game, the Griz picked up right where they left off.
Montana put up a six-spot on Williston State in the opening inning of the season, and cruised to a 13-0 victory in five innings against the Tetons.
The Grizzlies had 16 different players combine for 11 hits, including home runs from Lexie Brenneis and Katie Jo Waletzko. The Grizzlies offense received a lot of help from the pitching staff, as Meggie Reitz pitched a gem.
The senior threw three innings, striking out seven while only allowing one hit and zero walks. Sara Stephenson came on in relief, striking out three and not allowing a hit in two innings of work. Head coach Jamie Pinkerton was impressed by the performance from his pitchers.
"I think coming out of the gate we were definitely, in the circle, a lot better than what I could even expect with the inexperience we have," Pinkerton said. "Meggie came in and did what a senior should do, had three good innings, and then Sara came in and got the butterflies and nerves out of the way."
Montana jumped out quickly once again and dominated in the second game of the doubleheader against the University of Great Falls, winning 14-0 in another game decided early because of a run-rule.
Montana plated five of its first six batters, capped off by a two-RBI single from Madeline Merritt. The Griz bats cooled off over the next two innings, recording just two hits before exploding in the fourth inning.
Delene Colburn got things started with a solo-shot in the leadoff spot. Montana scored five straight base runners. Gabby Martinez plated two runners with a double after Bethany Olea and Ashlyn Lyons each hit safely.
With Martinez on second and Sydney Stites on third, Montana's power show continued with Brenneis' second home run of the day. The Grizzlies made solid connection with the ball all day, striking out only twice in the two games and forcing the defense to make plays.
"Timing was really good, I thought we swung the bats well," Pinkerton said. "I like the way the returners kind of got the line started and then when we switched the line-up in the third, the younger kids and the kids who didn't play as much last year came in and kept the line moving."
The Grizzlies were able to score five or more runs in four different innings, which is a characteristic Pinkerton calls "frenzy hitting."
"What I liked today is what we did last year when we played well," Pinkerton said. "One player gets it rolling and then everybody keeps the line moving. We were a frenzy hitting team last year, and that was the case today."
The pitching impressed again against Great Falls, featuring two different arms from game one. Maddy Stensby started for the Griz, going four innings without allowing a run. The true freshman from Olympia, Washington, struck out seven while allowing five hits. Haley Young came in for an inning, striking out two of the four batters she faced.
"Whenever you can play ten innings and not allow a run, I was real pleased with that," Pinkerton said. "I thought all of them threw pretty well."
The pitching shined, and the defense behind the ace helped out by playing solid all day.
"Defensively, nothing really jumped out," Pinkerton said. "We made the basic play, and for us to be a good ball club next spring and in Big Sky play we have to make the basic play and let the spectacular come to us."
Montana is off to a strong start, and they will have two more games on Sunday to get some more experience. The Grizzlies will play Columbia Basin tomorrow at three, followed by a game against Carroll College at five. Pinkerton is pleased with day one, and hopes to see the same focus Sunday.
"I thought we had good energy and were focused, which at times last year was an issue, but that's always going to be an issue with a young team," Pinkerton said. "And I have to take a step back and realize we're still young and we have to build consistency. We'll see what happens tomorrow, but a good part of our maturation process will be if we can come out and do it two days in a row."
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Montana put up a six-spot on Williston State in the opening inning of the season, and cruised to a 13-0 victory in five innings against the Tetons.
The Grizzlies had 16 different players combine for 11 hits, including home runs from Lexie Brenneis and Katie Jo Waletzko. The Grizzlies offense received a lot of help from the pitching staff, as Meggie Reitz pitched a gem.
The senior threw three innings, striking out seven while only allowing one hit and zero walks. Sara Stephenson came on in relief, striking out three and not allowing a hit in two innings of work. Head coach Jamie Pinkerton was impressed by the performance from his pitchers.
"I think coming out of the gate we were definitely, in the circle, a lot better than what I could even expect with the inexperience we have," Pinkerton said. "Meggie came in and did what a senior should do, had three good innings, and then Sara came in and got the butterflies and nerves out of the way."
Montana jumped out quickly once again and dominated in the second game of the doubleheader against the University of Great Falls, winning 14-0 in another game decided early because of a run-rule.
Montana plated five of its first six batters, capped off by a two-RBI single from Madeline Merritt. The Griz bats cooled off over the next two innings, recording just two hits before exploding in the fourth inning.
Delene Colburn got things started with a solo-shot in the leadoff spot. Montana scored five straight base runners. Gabby Martinez plated two runners with a double after Bethany Olea and Ashlyn Lyons each hit safely.
With Martinez on second and Sydney Stites on third, Montana's power show continued with Brenneis' second home run of the day. The Grizzlies made solid connection with the ball all day, striking out only twice in the two games and forcing the defense to make plays.
"Timing was really good, I thought we swung the bats well," Pinkerton said. "I like the way the returners kind of got the line started and then when we switched the line-up in the third, the younger kids and the kids who didn't play as much last year came in and kept the line moving."
The Grizzlies were able to score five or more runs in four different innings, which is a characteristic Pinkerton calls "frenzy hitting."
"What I liked today is what we did last year when we played well," Pinkerton said. "One player gets it rolling and then everybody keeps the line moving. We were a frenzy hitting team last year, and that was the case today."
The pitching impressed again against Great Falls, featuring two different arms from game one. Maddy Stensby started for the Griz, going four innings without allowing a run. The true freshman from Olympia, Washington, struck out seven while allowing five hits. Haley Young came in for an inning, striking out two of the four batters she faced.
"Whenever you can play ten innings and not allow a run, I was real pleased with that," Pinkerton said. "I thought all of them threw pretty well."
The pitching shined, and the defense behind the ace helped out by playing solid all day.
"Defensively, nothing really jumped out," Pinkerton said. "We made the basic play, and for us to be a good ball club next spring and in Big Sky play we have to make the basic play and let the spectacular come to us."
Montana is off to a strong start, and they will have two more games on Sunday to get some more experience. The Grizzlies will play Columbia Basin tomorrow at three, followed by a game against Carroll College at five. Pinkerton is pleased with day one, and hopes to see the same focus Sunday.
"I thought we had good energy and were focused, which at times last year was an issue, but that's always going to be an issue with a young team," Pinkerton said. "And I have to take a step back and realize we're still young and we have to build consistency. We'll see what happens tomorrow, but a good part of our maturation process will be if we can come out and do it two days in a row."
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Players Mentioned
C
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
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