Megan Dragon pitched the 5-0 win over the Bergen (N.J.) Blazers.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
LORDSTOWN — Valley Extreme Blue broke open a close game as it scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to shut out the Bergen Blazers of Ridgewood, N.J., 5-0 in a PONY National 16 and under fastpitch softball tournament game Friday.
Greg Bensing, coach of Extreme Blue (7-0) said, "I told the girls before the game started 'Our name isn't on the championship trophy. Let's win this and go on.' "
Megan Dragon (3-0) of Ashtabula scattered four hits (two bunt singles and two infield singles) and struck out 14 to pick up the win.
She struck out the side in the first, third and seventh innings.
Blue hitters
Extreme Blue scored three runs in the seventh on a double by Alex Roubic of Windham, two singles and a triple by Ashley Mullins of Garrettsville, who singled and scored in the first inning for a 1-0 lead.
Valley Extreme Blue has posted a 57-18 record this season, which includes a championship, four runner-up finishes and two third places in 11 tournaments.
"The girls play solid defense and from top to bottom, they hit the ball well, run the bases well and the pitching's been exceptionally good," said Bensing.
"If our opponents give us an inch, the girls take advantage of it and score runs for us," he added.
Valley Extreme Blue scored a run in the third inning on a walk, fielder's choice and a single by Brittany Stevenson of Geneva, who also hit a single in the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the seventh inning Mary Callahan and Jamie Lukas of Bergen Blazers, who were eliminated with a 4-2 record, hit back-to-back singles. Dragon then struck out the side to end the contest.
Dragon calm
"When they got those two hits, nothing rattled Dragon, she had confidence knowing she could strike out the side," said Bensing.
Valley Extreme Blue had allowed only nine hits in its first six games.
"Our three pitchers are strong and they have stayed relaxed and focused and have pitched really well," said Bensing.
Valley Extreme Blue will play Springford (Pa.) Sting Black today at 9 a.m. in a quarterfinal-round game. The championship is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Perkins Park in Warren.
"As we go on, the games get tougher," said Bensing. "We'll approach [today's] game knowing what we have to do to go on.
"The girls know all they have to do is hold together, stay relaxed and just play one game at a time," said Bensing.
miller@vindy.com
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Megan Dragon pitched the 5-0 win over the Bergen (N.J.) Blazers.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
LORDSTOWN — Valley Extreme Blue broke open a close game as it scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to shut out the Bergen Blazers of Ridgewood, N.J., 5-0 in a PONY National 16 and under fastpitch softball tournament game Friday.
Greg Bensing, coach of Extreme Blue (7-0) said, "I told the girls before the game started 'Our name isn't on the championship trophy. Let's win this and go on.' "
Megan Dragon (3-0) of Ashtabula scattered four hits (two bunt singles and two infield singles) and struck out 14 to pick up the win.
She struck out the side in the first, third and seventh innings.
Blue hitters
Extreme Blue scored three runs in the seventh on a double by Alex Roubic of Windham, two singles and a triple by Ashley Mullins of Garrettsville, who singled and scored in the first inning for a 1-0 lead.
Valley Extreme Blue has posted a 57-18 record this season, which includes a championship, four runner-up finishes and two third places in 11 tournaments.
"The girls play solid defense and from top to bottom, they hit the ball well, run the bases well and the pitching's been exceptionally good," said Bensing.
"If our opponents give us an inch, the girls take advantage of it and score runs for us," he added.
Valley Extreme Blue scored a run in the third inning on a walk, fielder's choice and a single by Brittany Stevenson of Geneva, who also hit a single in the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the seventh inning Mary Callahan and Jamie Lukas of Bergen Blazers, who were eliminated with a 4-2 record, hit back-to-back singles. Dragon then struck out the side to end the contest.
Dragon calm
"When they got those two hits, nothing rattled Dragon, she had confidence knowing she could strike out the side," said Bensing.
Valley Extreme Blue had allowed only nine hits in its first six games.
"Our three pitchers are strong and they have stayed relaxed and focused and have pitched really well," said Bensing.
Valley Extreme Blue will play Springford (Pa.) Sting Black today at 9 a.m. in a quarterfinal-round game. The championship is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Perkins Park in Warren.
"As we go on, the games get tougher," said Bensing. "We'll approach [today's] game knowing what we have to do to go on.
"The girls know all they have to do is hold together, stay relaxed and just play one game at a time," said Bensing.
miller@vindy.com
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Valley Extreme Blue broke open a close game as it scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to shut out the...
