By Rob Potter
JEFFERSONVILLE — The visiting Cornwall Lady Dragons grabbed an early lead against the Sullivan West Lady Bulldogs in Monday afternoon’s non-league softball game at Lauren Hughson Field in Jeffersonville.
Cornwall took advantage of some SW errors in the top of the first inning to score four runs.
The Lady Dragons went on to defeat SW, 10-3, in a game played under cloudy skies and some intermittent rain showers.
Cornwall, which improved its record to 3-0 on the young season, expanded its advantage to 8-0 in the top of the fourth.
Brittany Malloy and Alayna Smith both scored when Cassie Browne singled to left-center field.
The next batter, Caroline Staudle, reached base on an error and Browne crossed the plate to give the Lady Dragons a 7-0 lead.
After stealing second base, Staudle scored on an error.
Cornwall added a run in the top of the sixth as Jackie Galati reached base on a fielder’s choice and eventually scored on a passed ball.
SW (0-2) scored all three of its runs in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Amanda Rosenberger singled to the outfield and Kendall Menges reached base on an infield hit. Brittney Milk then walked to load the bases.
Rosenberger scored the Lady Bulldogs’ first run on a passed ball and Menges crossed the plate on a wild pitch to cut the Cornwall lead to 9-2.
Moments later, Amber Cookingham hit a bloop single to center field, which allowed Milk to score and bring the Lady Bulldogs to within six runs at 9-3.
Cornwall scored the final run of the game in the top of the seventh. With one out, Staudle walked. After stealing second base and third base, she crossed the plate on a passed ball.
Alyssa Bua earned the win for the Lady Dragons. She allowed only four hits and had 12 strikeouts.
“We wanted to be aggressive and take the extra base,” Cornwall Coach Doug DiMartine said. “We told our batters to just put the ball in play.”
DiMartine also noted the good work by Bua and Brittany Malloy, who pitched to several batters before Bua returned to the circle in the bottom of the sixth.
After a season-opening loss to Port Jervis, the Lady Bulldogs improved against Cornwall.
“I hate losing, but I’m glad we didn’t get 15-run ruled,” said SW Coach Mike Ellmauer, referring to the fact that the game didn’t end early because of the 15-run rule which halts a game when one team has a lead of at least 15 runs after five innings.
While noting that Bua is “a very good pitcher,” Ellmauer also praised his team for working hard and scoring three runs in the sixth inning after being down 9-0.
“We showed some positive things today,” said Ellmauer, who is guiding the team along with Assistant Coach Joe Ebeling. “I think we’ll keep improving and we’ll have a fun season.”
Although SW lost seniors Autumn Ackermann, Angela DiSanto and Danielle Meyer to graduation last June, many players are returning from the 2010 season. Among those returning players are Rosenberger and Hannah Schwatz, who are both juniors.
The 2011 Lady Bulldogs are led by six seniors: Amber Cookingham, Katerina Gaebel, Amanda Goddard, Maya Grady, Gabrielle Humleker and Jackie Parsons.