Ferndale Softball Beats Oak Park 20-5

FERNDALE – That’s the way to start off a season.

The Ferndale girls varsity softball team needed only three innings to beat Oak Park 20-5 in its 2011 opener. The Eagles walked away from the diamond to tremendous applause after finishing the Knights off with a rare triple play. 

With runners on first and second, Shelby Simpson caught a line drive at third base. Oak Park’s base runners tried to advance before tagging up, so Simpson threw the ball to first baseman Elisse Parker for the second out and Parker finished it off by throwing to second.

“That was pretty exciting,” Ferndale coach Anthony Smith said. “I brought in my second team and they are the ones who made the triple play, very proud of them, that was pretty cool.”

The backups came in after Ferndale (1-0; 1-0 Oakland Activities Association Gold) starters put together a 16 run second inning.  The Eagles batted around the order twice in the inning, displaying some excellent patience at the plate and aggressive base running.

Oak Park walked eight batters in the inning and on almost every pitch allowed Ferndale base runners to advance. Wild pitches, miscommunication and poor throws made for a long inning for the Knights. Ferndale scored the first six runs in the inning without even needing hit. 

“We do it all the time (aggressive base running),” Smith said. “In this game, you got to be on your toes. You have to capitalize when you can.”

The Eagles biggest hit of the game was in the first inning. With two men on, sophomore Gabrielle Leas knocked a ball over the right fielder’s head. It went all the way to the fence and Leas was able to slide into home for an inside the park home run.

And even though his hitters kept the bats on their shoulders most of the game, Smith is confident he has a solid lineup. 

“I’m pretty sure we’re going to be a good hitting team,” Smith said.

He’s also feeling good about his starting pitching. Or in Ferndale’s case -- pitcher. In the first start of her career, Hannah Carney picked up the win for Ferndale and she’ll be the starter going forward for the Eagles.

“We graduated our only pitcher last year,” Smith said. “Hanna has been working really to become our pitcher. She’s taken lessons and she’s really worked hard to become the starting pitcher for us.”

The junior wasn’t perfect, but she was able to work herself out of trouble in all three innings. Smith said Carney needs to focus on throwing strikes and let the infielders do the work.

Carney and Ferndale will look to build on the win Wednesday in a doubleheader at home against Stoney Creek (4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.).