Westwood whiffs against Lancaster

Redhawk Rae’Jean Patterson contorts her body to put on a play at the plate

The Westwood softball team went up against Region 3-4A leader Lancaster in the final game before spring break, and it went about as expected for the Redhawks.

Lancaster sent 30 batters to the plate in the time it took for Westwood to have all its starters have an at-bat, and the Bruins closed out a 15-0 shutout in four innings Thursday at the Westwood softball field.

“We were playing a good Lancaster team, no doubt one of the best teams in our region right now,” Head coach Lila Grooms said. “They are, and I commend them with their sportsmanship. In all honesty, they took it a little easy on us. But I appreciate it, and it’s more experience for the girls.”

The Redhawks (1-5 region, 1-9 overall) only mustered two hits, a second-inning single from Jimenez, and Cayla Petty’s single in the fourth.

Grace Revels led the Bruins (7-0, 12-3) with a 3-for-4 plate performance, including her one-out, 2-run home run over the rightfield fence in the second. Jada Ames homered in the third. Alexus Lowery and Arianna Early each went 2-for-4.

The Bruins sent 10 batters to the plate in the first inning, coming back with five runs on two hits and two Westwood errors. Lancaster made it 12-0 after two innings, with seven runs on four hits and two more Westwood errors.

Westwood gave up two runs in the third and another in the fourth.

The Redhawks’ only baserunning moment came after Jamisha Taylor drew a walk in the third inning and shortly afterward was picked off—happened in the fourth.

After Deltrice Holmes struck out to lead off the frame, Petty singled into short left. She took second and third as Brook Bayne batted, and when Bayne drew a walk, Westwood had runners at first and third with just one out.

Unfortunately for the Redhawks, Lancaster blunted a double-steal attempt. Petty took off for home just as Bayne went for second. The throw at second was too late for Petty, but the Bruins hung up Petty between third and home. She was tagged out at third.

Marlena Perez grounded out to end the game on the 10-run mercy rule.

“We wake up at the end, but by then it’s too late,” Grooms said. “We’re getting there though. We’re playing a little better than expected. This was a game where they could see what they can be. They’ll get there eventually, they just have to stick with it.”

Ihayanna Cruz and Petty, who pitched for two innings before going back to third base, have proven solid on the left side. Cruz and Petty made a pair of putouts that got the Redhawks out of a mess in the third inning. Cruz had a putout and an assist in the second inning, and Cruz snagged a ground ball and made a putout in the first.

“They’re good players, they’re very committed to getting better,” Grooms said. “Those are two prime players on the team. They’re expected to play at a high level and we know they’re going to give that effort in every game.”

Westwood is off for Spring Break and will play South Pointe and Ridge View when school resumes.

Lancaster: 5-7-2-1 -15 11 0

Westwood: 0-0-0-0- 0 2 4

WP: Arianna Early LP: Cayla Petty

Hitters: Lancaster – Grace Revels 3-4, HR. Jada Ames HR. Alexus Lowery 2-4. Arianna Early 2-4.

 

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