GREENVILLE – The Greenville Lady Wave capped a big day at Lady Wave Stadium by handing previously unbeaten Hamilton Badin its first loss of the season, rolling to an 11-0 five-inning run-rule win in non-conference action.
Greenville used two home runs from Lizzy Shaffer and a dominant one-hit shutout from Ella Oswalt to improve its strong early-season form, just hours after Lady Wave coach Jerrod Newland collected his 600th career victory in the first game of the day.
“Great day for Lady Wave Softball,” said Newland. “Our kids are getting so much better, we’re competing, competitively pushing each other daily to become great, and that’s what good teams need. It’s the atmosphere and the mindset around here with our staff and what we do every day to grind and get better and compete.”
The Lady Wave also took the field in new pinstripe uniforms.
“The green and white pin stripes are awesome,” Newland said. “Hats off there to the design of that, and now they’re talking we need different pin stripes – fun for the fans, and I want to thank all our donors and supporters for everything they do for us, and rest assured we surely spend it for the kids.”
Greenville wasted no time taking control.
Leah Force opened the bottom of the first with a single to right, and Oswalt followed by drawing a four-pitch walk. Shaffer then stepped in and crushed a 1-2 pitch over the center field fence for a three-run homer, giving the Lady Wave a quick 3-0 lead.
Greenville added three more runs in the second inning, all with two outs. Oswalt singled to center to drive in a run, Shaffer followed with an RBI double to center, and Kendall Cromwell lined an RBI single down the left field line to stretch the lead to 6-0.
The Lady Wave broke the game open in the third.
Kara Blumenstock led off with a single to center, Lily Brubaker doubled home a run, and Greenville added another on a Badin error. Shaffer then struck again, hammering her second three-run homer to center field to push the Lady Wave lead to 11-0.
“We just pounded the ball and goodness gracious, Lizzie Shaffer seven RBIs, two home runs and a double, we hit the ball really square, bunted the ball a couple times,” said Newland. “When we hit as we hit through the lineup in the last seven to 10 days, we really focused on squaring the ball up good, and Badin comes in here with an 11-0 record, very good team, storied power team, and we just run-ruled them in five innings and only batted four times.”
That was more than enough support for Oswalt, who was dominant in the circle from start to finish. The Greenville ace allowed just one infield hit over five shutout innings, striking out nine and walking none.
“Ella was lights out today,” Newland said. “Her, Denny, and Ally were just spot on and love where we’re at, where we’re going, and love what we’re doing – great day for softball out here.”
Greenville finished with 11 hits and played error-free defense. Shaffer led the offense by going 3-for-3 with two three-run home runs, a run-scoring double, and seven RBIs. Oswalt added a 2-for-2 day at the plate with an RBI.
For Newland, the win was another memorable moment in a day already filled with celebration.
“Fun stuff, great day, cookout today for Bob and Naomi’s 90th and Mr. Stump, the best man around,” Newland said. “Just a great day.”
BOX SCORE:
000 000 0 R H E
000 00X X 0 1 1 Hamilton Badin
335 0XX X 11 10 0 Greenville
