The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Struggles continue for Dutch
Losing streak reaches 13 games after sweep at Vandercook Lake
By Ed Patino, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 8, 2008
Defensive errors and walks have been the key problem for the Manchester varsity softball team throughout its recent slump.
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Both came back to haunt the Flying Dutch in their latest setback as they were swept by the Vandercook Lake Jayhawks, falling 14-6 and 7-6 in a Cascades Conference doubleheader April 30.
Manchester (2-13, 0-6 Cascades) had its chances to pull out victories in both games, but instead saw its losing streak extend to 13 games after posting two non-conference wins in the first week of the season.
A big sixth inning helped the Dutch erase a four-run deficit in the opener, but Vandercook Lake answered with eight runs in the top of the seventh. Manchester plated five runs over the fifth and sixth innings of the second game, but a run in the bottom half of the sixth gave the Jayhawks another victory.
The Dutch pounded out 25 hits in over the course of both games, but combined for nine errors on the day.
"We've been hitting the ball well this year, but the walks and our defense has hurt us," Manchester coach Nikole Fether said.
Vandercook Lake jumped to a 5-0 lead in the first game after plating three runs in the top of the fourth inning. The Dutch came back with two of their own in the bottom half of the frame, but a run in the fifth gave the Jayhawks a 6-2 lead.
Manchester got its offense going in the bottom of the sixth and plated four runs to draw even, but the Jayhawks had a big response in the seventh.
Five hits combined with three Manchester errors led to an eight-run outburst in the frame. Only one of the runs was earned. The Jayhawks followed by holding Manchester scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to take the victory.
The Dutch were charged with six errors in the game.
"We should've been out of the inning, but again the errors," Fether said. "(Vandercook Lake) was able to get on base and they started hitting the ball well."
The loss spoiled a strong game at the plate by many of the Manchester hitters. Taylor Parks led the attack, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and run scored, while Roxanne Rickert and Hannah Caszatt each went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run. Stephanie Preston was 2-for-3 with an RBI an run scored and Emily Johnson added a two-RBI double. Emily Lobbestael went 2-for-4 with a run scored while Julie Fielder finished with a hit and a run for the Dutch.
Jenny Stautz took the pitching loss, allowing 14 runs (seven earned) on 12 hits while going the distance. She had seven strikeouts, but walked seven Vandercook Lake batters.
The Jayhawks raced to a quick 4-0 lead in the nightcap, only to see Manchester fight back to tie the game with a run in the top of the fourth and three more in the fifth. Vandercook Lake grabbed a 6-4 lead after plating two runs in the bottom of the fifth, but the Dutch tied the game again in the top of the sixth. Vandercook regained the lead in the bottom half the inning, then shut down the Dutch in the seventh to complete the sweep.
Manchester had 12 hits in the game, but made three errors.
"We went against a hittable pitcher, and if we play any defense whatsoever we win," Fether said. "Our defense has to tighten up."
Preston went 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored to lead the Dutch at the plate in the nightcap. Fielder was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Amanda Barker had a hit, RBI and run scored. Stautz went 1-for-4 with an RBI and Cazsatt and Parks both added a hit a scored a run. Lobbestael finished 1-for-4 at the plate for Manchester.
Stautz went the distance in the circle and was charged with her second pitching loss of the day. The sophomore allowed seven runs (five earned) on eight hits in six innings of work. Stautz did cut down on her walks, only giving up two and recorded seven strikeouts.
The Dutch traveled to Summerfield for a non-conference game after the newspaper's deadline Tuesday. They also hosted Addison for a Cascades doubleheader Wednesday. Manchester will visit Britton-Deerfield for a tournament Saturday.
Dutch at Lenawee Christian
A strong pitching performance from Jenny Stautz and an error-free game were not enough for the Manchester varsity softball team in a 4-2 loss to the Lenawee Christian Cougars in a non-conference game April 28.
The Flying Dutch grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning as Hannah Caszatt's two-RBI single scored Roxanne Rickert and Emily Johnson. Lenawee Christian standout Abbie Forman took over in the circle and at the plate after that.
Forman drove in Maggie Hein with a single in the bottom of the third inning, then delivered a three-run home run in the fifth, giving the Cougars a 4-2 lead. Manchester was unable to solve her in the sixth and seventh innings and came away with the loss.
"It was a great game, and Forman is a great pitcher," Manchester coach Nikole Fether said. "We played our best defense of the year, but they had one good hit that made the difference."
Manchester was held to two hits in the game, one from Caszatt and another from Julie Fielder. Jenny Stautz took the hard-luck loss in the circle despite scattering six hits and striking out seven in six innings.
"Jenny threw extremely well in holding a good team to six hits," Fether said.
Forman went the distance in the circle herself and recorded 15 strikeouts for the win. She also finished 2-for-3 at the plate with four RBIs and a run scored. Maggie Hein was 1-for-2 with two runs for the Cougars.
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