By Rob Potter
JEFFERSONVILLE — The Sullivan West Lady Bulldogs used a second inning offensive outburst on Wednesday afternoon to score a non-league softball win against the visiting Monticello Lady Panthers.
SW sent 13 batters to the plate in the frame and scored nine runs.
The big inning keyed the Lady Bulldogs’ 14-2 victory.
Cara Davies had a two-run triple and Rachel Gruenke hit an RBI double in the second inning.
SW (2-1) added two runs in the fourth and three runs in the sixth.
Senior pitcher Sarah Lander picked up the win for the Lady Bulldogs. She gave up just two hits and struck out seven batters.
Monticello (0-4) scored its two runs in the top of the seventh.
Maria Pavese led off by ripping a single to left center field and moved to second base when the next batter, Carlee Maree, walked.
Catherine Poli singled to center field to bring Pavese across home plate.
After Lander recorded a strikeout, Megan Hughes grounded out to shortstop. But Hughes earned an RBI as Maree scored on the play.
Houghtaling went 4-for-4 with an RBI and four runs scored. Lindsey Bauer was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Davies was 2-for-4.
SW Coach Mike Ellmauer noted that his team has already had five games postponed and/or cancelled by inclement weather this young season.
He was pleased to get back on the winning track after a loss to Cornwall earlier this week.
“Monticello is a gritty team,” Ellmauer said.
While noting the Lady Bulldogs are not clicking on all cylinders yet, the veteran coach is optimistic about the rest of the season.
“This is a good group of kids,” Ellmauer said. “They have been working very hard.”