SYRACUSE - Two-out errors sabotaged the Triton softball team's chances of getting a win at Wawasee High School Wednesday.
Allowing the Wawasee Lady Warriors (2-3) to score three unearned runs on the evening, the Triton Lady Trojans (3-2) came up short, losing 7-4. "I liked the way we competed," Triton coach Steve McBride said. "We made some errors that cost us, but I thought we competed. We just have to get better defensively, but I think we will."
Both teams ended the game with five errors, but Triton's just came at inopportune times. Tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the second, a dropped pop-up in the infield allowed Wawasee to score a two-out run. Then, in the bottom of the sixth, the Lady Warriors scored another two runs with two outs on another Triton error, which increased the lead to 7-4. "Our defense has been shaky all year," McBride said. "We had just an awful game Monday night against Rochester, when I think we had nine errors. It was just awful."
Wawasee's defense also had its problems, but the Lady Warriors' miscues allowed just one unearned run, helping junior Gabi Routson get the win after striking out eight. "The big positive is that it's a win," Wawasee coach Cory Schutz said. "It wasn't perfect and we've got a long way to go. A lot of things we've been talking about for three weeks, four weeks are still there.
We're just going to keep pounding the fundamentals into them. Hopefully, eventually, we'll get it." Along with getting the win, Routson also went 2 for 4 at the plate, driving in two runs, while sophomore Kylie Norris went 2 for 2 with a run and a stolen base, batting out of the No. 9 hole.
The Lady Warriors had nine hits in the game, but were also struck out nine times by Triton freshman pitcher Mallorie Jennings. "I'm very happy with our pitcher," McBride said. "I think she'll get better too." Triton's offense was paced by senior Hannah Downing, who went 2 for 4, scoring two runs and recording a stolen base. "Everything that was an issue tonight is fixable," McBride said. "We've got good attitudes and good kids. We've just got to keep working and get better. I think that'll happen." Even after getting the win over Triton, Schutz was feeling good about the Lady Trojans' chances this season. "They're not a bad program," he said. "They have good numbers. It seemed like they had an army of kids when they got off the bus. They work hard, they have fun and they try their hardest - that's always going to give you a recipe to succeed."
Both teams are back in action Monday, as Wawasee travels to Fairfield, while Triton hosts Tippecanoe Valley.
