Maidens down Class A Broncs

by Dylan Kitzan & Leader Reporter
| April 19, 2012 7:00 AM

HAMILTON — Roughly three weeks ago, the Hamilton Broncs came to Ronan and gave the Maidens a fit on the diamond, winning 12-2. After their latest meeting, it’s safe to say Ronan had revenge on their mind.

Bethany Colman pitched seven strong innings and the Maidens got contributions up and down the lineup as they returned the favor to the Broncs in a 7-1 victory.

“Our team is pretty young,” Ronan head coach Tom Peterson said. “It just takes reps and it’s a chemistry thing. When they feel comfortable, they’ll be very tough. Against Hamilton, they played together as a team and that was a big difference.”

Colman was a force, yielding just three hits and one late run in her start, bouncing back from a rough outing against the same team in their previous meeting.

“She placed the ball a lot better this time around,” Peterson said. “The first time, there were a lot of balls over the middle of the plate. This time, she held them to just three hits.”

At the plate, the Maidens were led by McKenzie Dulmes and Payge DeLaurenti, who each went 2-4 on the afternoon, though Peterson praised all nine Ronan hitters.

“Those two hit well, but the rest of the lineup did well too,” Peterson said. “Courtney Taylor had a great bunt and everyone put balls in play, making the defense work.”

Peterson credited the offensive output to both a better mindset and approach.

“Offensively, we were more confident and more aggressive,” Peterson said. “That was a huge difference.”

The game was scoreless early until the Maidens got to Rebecka Hood in the third inning, scoring four times. After Colman shut down the Broncs in the home half of the inning, Ronan put up another crooked number, adding three in the fourth for a commanding 7-0 lead. The Maidens kept the shutout intact until late in the game when Hamilton got one, but wouldn’t get closer.

Ronan will look to keep their momentum going when they host Plains on Thursday, April 19 and travel to Florence two days later.

“We just need consistent pitching and to be aggressive at the plate,” Peterson said.

The Maidens also traveled to Mission to face the MAC Bulldogs on Tuesday, April 17, but results were unavailable at press time.

RONAN 7, HAMILTON 1

R - 004 - 300 - 0 - 7

H - 000 - 000 - 1 - 1

Hamilton - 3 hits, 2 errors. Ronan - 8 hits, 1 error

Batting highlights - Kenzie Dulmes 2-4, Payge DeLaurenti 2-4, Jasmine Bocksnick 2B.

Maidens pitching battery - Bethany Colman and

Courtney Clairmont.