Today:

TOP JOBS DRIVERS Exp. Gasoline Haulers needed. Full-time. CDL-AX and 2 years truck driving experien... SECURITY OFFICERS Must be avail. for all shifts. $8-10/hr + vacations, health benefits ava...  [ View All Top Jobs ] TOP AUTOS ALUMACRAFT 12FT., 9.9 HP Evinrude motor, 2 trolly motors, w/ trailer, very good condition.... 1992 Ford F-150, 6cyl, 5 spd, 160,000 miles. $1,600/ best 313-623-8161  [ View All Top Autos ] TOP HOMES GROSSE ILE: 10335 Groh Ranch, 2 car attached garage, 3 bdrm., 1.5 bath, lower level walk-o... LINCOLN PARK - Goddard & Dix area renovated frame home, move in condition, 2 bdrm. & den,...  [View All Top Homes ] TOP RENTALS BELLEVILLE 2 bdrm., 2 bath., quiet setting, enclosed back yard, $700/mo. + utils. 734-697-... SALINE 2 bdrm., 1.5 bath, 1 car gar., option to buy, 734-686-2360  [ View All Top Rentals ] TOP MERCHANDISE  [ View All Top MDSE ]   View Classifieds   Submit a TopAd        or call 1-877-888-3202

	The Manchester Enterprise A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Manchester goes 0-for-3 against Lenawee foes

Dutch try to shore up defense as team enters league play

By Ed Patino, Staff Writer

PUBLISHED: April 19, 2007

Big innings were the order of the day for the Sand Creek varsity softball team.

Advertisement

Making a pair of early surges, the Aggies pulled away for 9-4 and 11-5 victories over the Manchester Flying Dutch at Friday's non-conference doubleheader.

In the opener, Sand Creek plated four runs in the third inning to take control. The nightcap saw the Aggies score four runs in the first inning, then crank out six hits that produced six runs in the second, putting Manchester (0-3) in a deep hole.

"(Sand Creek) really hit the ball in the second inning," Manchester coach Nikole Fether said. "We made some untimely errors, as well."

Sand Creek's pitchers held the Dutch to six hits in the opener and seven hits in the nightcap.

Crystal Poertner led the offensive attack for Manchester in the first game, delivering two hits. Alex Fairbanks, Roxanne Rickert and Stephanie Preston each added a hit. Emily Lobbestael, who was recently called up from the junior varsity team, delivered a hit for the Dutch.

The Aggies' four-run third inning spoiled the varsity debut of freshman pitcher Rickert, who threw five innings and struck out five, but took the loss. Fairbanks went the final two innings in the circle.

"We're young with three freshmen, and we've been moving positions," Fether said.

The Dutch cut down on their errors in the second game, committing just two. However, Sand Creek's hot start was too much to overcome.

Shanel Mullins had two hits and two RBIs to lead Manchester. Poertner, Rickert, Lobbestael, Preston and Hannah Caszatt each added a hit.

Freshman Jenny Stautz lasted two innings in the circle, striking out one and walking four. Fairbanks recorded three strikeouts in the final three innings.

"We'll still be good to go once we start playing better defense," Fether said.

Wednesday's game against Grass Lake took place after our deadline. The Dutch are scheduled to face Vandercook Lake on the road Friday.

Errors and a lack of offense proved costly for the Flying Dutch in a season-opening 7-4 loss to the Adrian Madison Trojans on April 10.

Manchester was held to two hits in the game, and was charged with seven defensive errors.

"You could tell we had spring break the week before," Fether said. "Our pitchers threw pretty well, but we played horrible defense behind them."

Fairbanks started the game and took the pitching loss. The senior struck out three and walked five in four innings. Stautz pitched the next three innings in relief, striking out four and walking three in her first varsity action.

Mullins and Rickert had the only hits for Manchester.