Andrew Tops Stagg: Who Says Rust is a Bad Thing?

Leadoff batters often face an exceptional amount of pressure to get on base and aggressively run the bases for their team, particularly in high-stakes conference games where pitching and defense otherwise rule the day.

Facing Stagg, one of the state's top-rated teams with a conference title potentially on the line, Andrew third baseman Shannon Rust did exactly what a leadoff hitter is expected to do in the T-Bolts' 2-0 victory on Monday afternoon.

“Rust was key today,” Andrew coach Jim Holba said. “It actually worked out that she led off two of those innings with a hit. She’s really turned it on in the last week.”

Rust went 3-for-4 with two doubles for Andrew (18-8, 9-1), but it was her base-running that stole the show. Knotted at zero in a pitcher's duel, Rust took advantage of an errant  throw by Stagg (22-3, 7-3) down the third base line.  Rust boldly went for home and scored the game-winning run for the T-Bolts.  

“This game was nerve-racking because it meant conference,” Rust said.  “We practice base-running every day.  It really pays off in the game.”

Stagg coach Missy Mason agreed with Rust.

“Andrew’s base-running was really good," Mason said. "They were aggressive and that’s what you need to do to win games.  Anytime you are playing in a conference game, you have to take advantage of anything you can.”

But Rust knew her offensive heroics would have meant nothing if not for an outstanding performance by pitcher Brooke Hofer.

“Brooke does such a great job out there," Rust said. "I love playing third for her because I have such confidence in her, and I know she feels the same about me.”

Hofer pitched the first shutout of her career, allowing three hits while striking out four.  

“We were teasing her that it took her 18 starts to finally pitch a shutout,” Holba said.  “But it came at the right time.  She was phenomenal today and has been huge for us all year.”