The New Hope High School slow-pitch softball team is looking for a little more focus and consistency as it enters the stretch run of the 2011 season.
Despite being sluggish Monday afternoon, the Trojans still had more than enough to beat Starkville 21-2 in a four-inning Class 5A, Region 1 contest at the Starkville High complex.
“We weren”t real excited about the way we hit,” New Hope coach Tabitha Beard said. “It happens sometimes. But we stuck it out and did enough of what we had to do.”
As the regular season enters the final three weeks, New Hope sophomore second baseman Kaitlin Bradley hopes to provide a spark from the leadoff position, and to help the Lady Trojans end their inconsistent play.
“I feel like a lot of things are on me,” Bradley said. “As the leadoff hitter, if I can find a way to get hit, the other players will follow my lead. It is my job to get the offense started.”
With the victory, New Hope improved to 13-6 and 2-0 in the region. Today”s road trip to Neshoba Central will mark the end of the first rotation though the region schedule. Each team will play six region games before the regular season is complete.
“It will be a real important game,” Bradley said. “We have to get our heads down and be ready to attack defensively. On offense, we got to get some hits and score some runs early. We have to work really hard to make sure we get the win.”
Monday”s win was never in doubt. The Lady Trojans had 11 hits and drew 11 walks. Starkville committed seven errors.
“They helped us out more than we helped ourselves,” Beard said. “We have things we really need to work on. Some of the things we were doing well earlier in the year we just aren”t doing as well now. We have to find a way to be a better team for the stretch run.”
The Trojans removed all doubt by scoring seven runs in the top of the first inning. An eight-run fourth triggered the 10-run mercy rule.
“It was an all right game,” Bradley said. “There are some things we could have done better, but we still won. We are a good bunting team. However, we have things we need to work on be a better offensive team. On defense, we just need to play with more focus.”
Lauren Holifield had the big bat for New Hope with a double, triple, home run, and six RBIs. Anna McCrary and Erin Stanfield each had multiple hits.
“We are growing closer as a team,” Bradley said. “I think that could be the difference for the end of the season. We get along great and we have a good time working hard together. We are trying to reach our potential. Hopefully, we can keep winning while we are learning how to be a better team.”
In that first at-bat, Holifield had a two-run double, while Kasey Stanfield had an RBI single and McCrary had an RBI double. In the third, Holifield smacked a towering-two run home run, which ran the advantage to 12-0.
Starkville scored a pair of unearned runs on a throwing error in the home half of the third.
New Hope”s fourth featured a two-run double from Bradley, an RBI single from McCrary, and a three-run double from Erin Stanfield.
“I think we are headed in the right direction,” Bradley said. “We just have to play as a team and be more consistent on offense and defense. We will need to work a little harder to be able to win in the playoffs. That is our goal. We have to make sure we are playing as well as we can at the end of the year.”
Beard hopes for the same improvement for her ballclub.
“The key is being an all-around more consistent team,” Beard said. “I know we have that capability. We just have to realize our potential. Hopefully, as we enter the heart of our schedule, the players will be ready to step up.”
Valencia Leonard”s triple in the first was the lone hit for Starkville, which will close the first half of its region schedule today at Saltillo.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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