By Andy Simek
CHESTER — June 5, 2007 — The Chester Lady Hambletonians defeated the visiting Tri-Valley Lady Bears, 15-1, on Thursday afternoon in a Section IX Class C softball semifinal.
No. 1 seed Chester (19-3) proverbially sealed the deal in the bottom of the first inning.
The Lady Hambletonians went through their batting order two and a half times to take a commanding 10-0 lead.
Unfortunately for the Lady Bear players, coaches and fans, the team could not overcome that early deficit.
Fourth-seeded T-V (9-11) scored its only run of the game when senior outfielder Kayla Scannell crossed home plate in the top of the fourth inning.
Chester pitcher Krissy Van Benschoten recorded 11 strikeouts while earning the complete-game victory.
Van Benschoten also went 3-for-4, with two doubles and three RBIs.
Kristin Jung also hit two doubles for the Lady Hambletonians.
Van Benschoten, Ciara Scrobe, Jessica Lakis and Alicia Mulvey all scored two runs for Chester.
Despite the convincing victory, Chester Coach Jim Lloyd said that his team “would still need some improvement” if they were to beat second-seeded Millbrook in the Class C title game.
In that championship contest, which was supposed to be held on Saturday at Pat Burke Field in Lake Katrine but had to be moved to Sunday afternoon due to inclement weather, Millbrook defeated Chester, 6-1.