The Northern Lakes Conference opener for both teams, Wawasee’s offense was the storyline early on, as an eight-run second inning for the Lady Warriors was more than enough to escape with a 14-3 victory over their rival Warsaw Lady Tigers.
Wawasee wasted no time getting after Warsaw starter Kaitlyn O’Dell, scoring three runs in the first inning. After a pair of free passes with one out put runners on second and third, MariJo Bontrager came up to the plate and made the most of her opportunity. The freshman hit a rope into left to score two runs, and she ended up on third with a triple. She’d come around to score a hitter later, as Abbagail Willey just barely missed out on a home run, forced to settle for a sacrifice fly instead.
O’Dell was able to help herself out as a hitter in the bottom of the first, driving in the Lady Tigers’ first run of the game. After leadoff hitter Raegan Robinson reached on an error and was advanced to third by Mia Rodriguez, O’Dell took to the plate and hit a blooper that fell into the right field grass. It was the only run of the inning, leaving the score at 3-1 after six outs.
The Lady Warriors were able to put together another big inning the next time they went up to hit. It started with a situation eerily similar to the top of the first. With runners on second and third, this time it was Elise Berkeypile with a triple to score two runs. After Kirra Alvarez scored her with a double, Audra Weaver brought two more runs home with a two-run homer. That wouldn’t be the only long bomb of the inning, as Evelyn Duncan also left the yard with a two-run shot. The end result was an eight-run outburst that put the visitors up by 10.

    Senior Kaitlyn O'Dell takes on the pitching duties during Warsaw's home game against Wawasee Monday evening...Nieter
Warsaw was able to put a few runners on in the bottom of the second, but Duncan was able to navigate through the trouble in the circle, holding the home side scoreless. In the top of the third, the Lady Warriors added two more runs. The first was scored by Heatherlynn Holder, who was able to make it home on an error at third. The second came in as Willey used a sacrifice fly to bring in Weaver.
O’Dell very nearly put Warsaw back on the board in the bottom of the third, hitting one off the wall for a one-out double. It was followed by a double by Bayleigh Sleeth, putting runners on second and third with just one out. But next, a line drive to left field was caught, and O’Dell was caught in no man’s land in between third and home. She’d be doubled up to end the inning and the threat.
Addison Eastwood retired the side in order in the top of the fourth, the first inning to not feature any runs by Wawasee. In the bottom of the inning, the Lady Tigers added two runs. Ellyse Walters led off the frame with a single, and was brought home on a fielder’s choice by Brooklyn Nibert. Niberty eventually scored on a single by Robinson, making it a 13-3 game.
Wawasee got one of those runs back in the top of the fifth, as Willey hit a sacrifice fly to score Alvarez. Heading into the bottom of the fifth, Warsaw now needed to score two more runs if this one were to continue.
They were unable to get them, as Alvarez retired the side in order to finish off a second straight victory for Wawasee.
Wawasee (2-6, 1-0 NLC) is at Mishawaka on Wednesday, while Warsaw (3-2, 0-1 NLC) is at Columbia City Tuesday.