Ronan has tough time with Frenchtown
Catcher Jordan Strozzi waits for the throw home. The throw was too late, but Strozzi immediately gunned down a runner at second. Ethan Smith/Leader
The Ronan Maidens continue to have one of the toughest schedules around, falling to Frenchtown last week, 12-0, as they host two more top teams this Saturday.
Frenchtown jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning before sending the Maidens down in order in the bottom to set the tone for the game.
The Maidens had some good plays, punctuated by some frustrating ones, and were held to only one hit, by Carli Starkel.
In the top of the second, there was a play at the plate, and catcher Jordan Strozzi then came up firing to gun down a runner trying to reach second. Dani Crockett then had a good catch in center to get the team out of the inning, and she added another one in the third.
In the fourth, the Maidens proved they have the capability to make fantastic plays when shortstop Allison Crenshaw made a great play ranging to her right to stop a ground ball. On almost the next play, third baseman Brittany Bilile made a diving stop at third, which earned her kudos from Frenchtown coach Eli Fields, who was working as a base coach a few feet away.
Kallia Orr made a good catch in left to end the inning, but the team found itself down by 12 after the top of the fourth. Starkel then broke up the no-hitter in the bottom of the inning, before taking the mound in the top of the fifth, getting two strikeouts.
Kaylee Larson took the loss for the team, but once again was the victim of six errors behind her.
The Maidens will host Corvallis and Hamilton this Saturday, with varsity games at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and JV games at noon and 4 p.m. Both Hamilton and Corvallis are considered top teams in the Central conference.
The Maidens were no-hit by Hamilton last month, after having to leave Ronan at 5:30 a.m. to play the first game of the Lady Broncs' invitational.