Published: August 26, 2008 09:58 pm      

11-run fourth inning carries Lady Wolves past North

It may have only been a brief moment, but the Edmond Santa Fe softball team found their groove. After scoring just one run in their last three games, the Lady Wolves snapped out of the hitting funk with an 11-run fourth inning effort Tuesday night against Edmond North. The big rally allowed Santa Fe to snap a two game losing streak with an 11-1 Edlam win.

“We were hoping to get it going tonight and continue tomorrow night and take us into the Prague Tournament,” Lawson said. “It just took a game like that hopefully, and time will tell.”

North coach Rick Nordyke said he was pleased with his young team’s performance, and believes they will continue to improve as the season continues.

“I thought we played well, we outplayed them every other inning,” Nordyke said. “We’re a young team and we need to learn how to battle through that. (Santa Fe) is a good team, and good teams capitalize on mistakes, so we’ll just need to cut down on our mistakes.”

While Lawson was pleased to see her team hit the ball Tuesday night, she said the girls need to improve their mental approach at the plate.

“We’re just not getting up there with that killer attitude,” Lawson said. “ I think we’re getting there and I think that will help, but they have to do that with every team.”

The Lady Huskies (5-5) took the early lead by capitalizing on a pair of Santa Fe mistakes. The leadoff batter Kristen Stevenson was hit by a pitch and Maura Barsted reached base on an error. Braxton Coil then drove in Stevenson with a groundout to second base, giving North a 1-0 lead.

Evan Gray fueled the fourth inning rally, as she led off the inning with a single to right. Cailee Null reached on a fielder’s choice and Hayden James drew a walk to load the bases for Jackie Wiist. And the junior came through with a two-run double to left field, putting the Lady Wolves in front 2-1.

Santa Fe got some more help from Sierra Bronkey, James, and Madison Martin, who each had an RBI single, and Whitley Davis, who drove in a pair with a double to left field.

Martin led the way for Santa Fe, finishing the game 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBI and one run scored.

Gray put together another strong performance in the circle. She threw five no-hit innings and struck out two.

Santa Fe (4-2) will be back at home tonight to take on Putnam City West in a make up game. The North girls will be back in action Thursday night at Jones.