Butler
softball wins big
By Mike KilroyEagle Staff Writer
JEFFERSON TWP First-year
It was sure nice to be playing again, he said.
It was even nicer that
Both the Tornado and Knights have played sparingly this spring because of the
cold and rainy weather pattern. The two teams, though, were able to play on a
muddy field for only the third time in three weeks.
It has been a crazy season, said Knoch coach Tim Knappenberger. I said to
them Tuesday that we've practiced 25 times and we've played only two games.
Neither team, though, showed much rust.
Amanda Skidmore started in the circle for Butler (2-1) and gave up just one run
on four hits. She struck out eight including the side in the bottom of the
seventh and walked just one.
When Knoch did make contact, the defense behind Skidmore was flawless.
Our defense has been strong. We haven't made too many physical errors or
mental errors, Hindman said. That's what's kept us in our games so far.
Skidmore kept the Knoch bats out of this game for the most part.
Karsan Simpson hit a double off the centerfield fence to lead off the bottom of
the second inning for Knoch, but Skidmore retired the next three batters to
strand the runner on third.
Jhoey DeWalt singled home Rachel Neff in the bottom of the third inning for the
Knights' only run.
Other than those two innings, Skidmore was never in trouble.
It's nice to have that second pitcher, especially this week, Hindman said.
We have a game scheduled every day this week, so, when you get into a stretch
like this one, you're looking for a little bit of a rotation.
Skidmore started in the place of ace Angie Reddick, who served as Butler's
designate player and went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. One of
Reddick's singles came on a one-handed swing.
We've been working on that little thing, Hindman said of the
tennis-racket-like swing that was by design. I learned that years ago when I
was playing with some guys up in Franklin. It's legal. It's just a little twist
that isn't typically seen. It's something different.
Butler got two runs in the top of the second inning. After Reddick's double,
Amber Steinheiser hit a line-drive home run.
The Golden Tornado added single runs in the third and fifth innings before
blowing the game open with a four-run seventh.
Only one of those four runs were earned.
We played better than we did against Hampton last Thursday, Knappenberger
said. We still gave them more than three outs an inning. We made some errors
that cost us. They know that.
Britni Brandstetter started for Knoch. The left-hander worked five innings,
striking out four and walking four.
She's only been pitching for three years in her whole life, Knappenberger said
of Brandstetter. For that, she throws very well. She'll continue to work hard.
She's a freshman. We're excited about the prospects.
Butler 021 010 4 8 8 0
Knoch 001 000 0 1 4 4
W: Amanda Skidmore 7IP (8K, 1BB). L: Britni Brandstetter 5IP (4K,
4BB).
Butler (2-1): Sadie Marak 1B RBI, Angie Reddick 2B 2-1B, Amber Steinheiser
HR 1B 3-RBI
Knoch (1-2): Karsan Simpson 2B, Jhoey DeWalt 1B RBI