Rams defense tames Lady Bears bats

To quote head coach Tim Hughes, “the Rams have had a long week."

Spring-Ford, after having to battle from behind in back to back games, had the unenviable task of hosting a hard-hitting Boyertown squad that is nipping at the heels of the defending Pioneer Athletic Conference champions in the standings.

“We have had so many games in such a short period of time it makes it hard to get any practices in,” said Hughes. “After getting down the last couple of games I was hoping to see us set the tone early today, which we were able to do despite them (Boyertown) hitting the ball very well.”

The Rams were able to capitalize on a couple of uncharacteristic Bears baserunning gaffs, doubling off Boyertown runners who had strayed from the base twice in the contest to emerge from the fray with a 5-3 victory, solidifying their playoff aspirations.

Boyertown wasted no time getting on the board as Lizzy Kish, who drew a walk to lead off the first inning, was driven home on a single by Wynne McCann, who went 3-for-4 and drove in all three Lady Bears runs.

The Rams (12-3 league, 24-3 overall), led by junior Deme Kanakis’ 2-for-3, 2 run, 2RBI performance, posted a run in the first as Kanakis scored the first run on an RBI single by Becca James and drove in two in the second inning by lacing a triple in the gap to give the home squad a 3-1 lead.

“With all of the rain the one thing we do get to work on a lot is hitting,” said Kanakis. “We know that we have a target on us as the champs from last year and teams always want to come in here and beat us, so we have to be ready to play our best game and avoid letdowns like what happened against PJP.”

Haleigh Williams was able to hold the Bears at bay even though they managed to scratch out eight hits while she was on the mound. Williams was aided by stellar defense behind her as right fielder Brianna Kofer made three outstanding plays on balls destined for the wide-open spaces of Rams Field.

Boyertown (12-5 league) loaded the bases with no outs to start the fifth inning, but Williams slammed the door, following a great play from shortstop Marisa Bates, who cut Jamie Smith down at third to record the first out. Brianna DePriest then lined out to first baseman Becca James, who stomped on the bag to double off Krista Schuder and end the threat.

The Rams tacked on an insurance run in the home fifth when senior Allie Sasek slapped a ball down the third base line, scoring Kristin Robinson, who had led off the inning with a single.

“Before the game I was talking to the Bears coach and we were talking about this probably being one of those 9-8 games,” added Hughes. “Both teams played great defense today or it could have been. Their right fielder made two great plays as well as Brianna out there.”

Sasek also made her presence known in centerfield in the closing innings, recording three of the final six outs of the game, two on liners off the bats of Bears sluggers Krista Schuder and Kristy Schwenk.

“We know what we have to do,” said Sasek. “We have a lot of girls that up until [now] had not played a lot in varsity, but we are coming together and getting to trust each other in tight spots and [have] confidence that we are going to have each others backs.”

Kristin Robinson was called on to close out the game, allowing one run on two hits in two innings of relief to finish an exhausting week for the Rams.

“We are going to get to practice some tomorrow and get ready for next week,” added Kanakis. “We have two more big games next week and need to play our game as we get ready for the playoffs.” 

Boyertown                   1  0  0  0  1  0  1  -3

Spring-Ford                 1  2  0  1  1  0  X –5

Boyertown                               AB              R            H            RBI

Kish   3b                                  3            2            1            0

Smith cf                                    3            1            3            0

McCann  c                               4            0            3            3

Schuder  p                                3            0            0            0

DePriesta  rf                             3            0            0            0

Kircher  2b                               3            0            1            0

Girton  dp                                 2            0            1            0

Dawson  lf                                3            0            1            0

Lohr  1b                                   2            0            1            0

                        Totals               26            3            11            3

Spring-Ford                             AB            R            H            RBI

Kanakis  2b                              3            2            2            2

Bauer lf                                    3            0            0            0

Kofer   rf                                  3            0            0            0

Diegel  3b                                 4            0            3            1

James  1b                                 3            0            1            1

Robinson  dp p             4            1            1            0

Bates ss                                    2            0            1            0

Nodwpdny c                            3            1            1            0

Sasek cf                                   3            1            2            1

                        Totals               28            5            11            5

Picthing                                    IP             R            ER            H            SO            BB

Schuder (L)                              6            5            4            11            1            4

Williams (W)                            5            2            2            8            2            1

Robinson                                  2            1            1            2            0            0

2B-Nodwodny  3B-Kanakis    LOB-Boyertown-8, Spring-Ford-9