VANDALIA – The Greenville Lady Wave erupted for 10 runs in the top of the third inning and rolled to a 14-1 five-inning run-rule win over Butler on Thursday night in Miami Valley League varsity softball action.
“Great day for Lady Wave Softball to get road league win tonight,” said Greenville coach Jerrod Newland. “Twenty-one kids played tonight’s game at Butler.”
Greenville got on the board first in the top of the first inning when Lizzie Shaffer lifted a sacrifice fly, bringing home Leah Force for a 1-0 lead.
The Lady Wave broke the game open in the third, sending 14 batters to the plate in a 10-run outburst. Ella Oswalt opened the scoring in the inning with an RBI single to left. Kendall Cromwell followed by drawing a bases-loaded walk to force in another run. Jordyn McMullen then delivered the big blow with a three-run double to left.
Rielynn Davidson added an RBI single to center, Rylie Pfledderer drove in a run with a single to left, and Force capped the rally with a two-run line drive single to center. Shaffer later added an RBI double to left as Greenville built an 11-0 advantage.
“Tonight we hit the ball square and ran the bases well,” Newland said. “Pitchers and catchers were very sharp.”
Butler scored its lone run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Greenville added the final runs of the game at the top of the fifth while going deep into its bench. Back-to-back singles by Elle Kayler and Karstyn Davidson started the inning, and after another Lady Wave scoring chance developed, Caleigh Stebbins came off the bench and lined a two-run single to left to make it 14-1. Coach Newland went to leading off base too soon, keeping the game respectable.
“Lots of young kids started to make plays and run around,” Newland said.
Oswalt earned the win in the circle for Greenville, tossing three perfect innings with no hits, no walks, and six strikeouts. Shaffer worked in relief for the Lady Wave.
Greenville totaled 15 hits in the win. McMullen drove in three runs to lead the offense, while Oswalt, Carlee Yundt, and Force each had two hits. The Lady Wave also played error-free defense, while Butler committed four errors.
“Denny (Ruble) birthday party rolled on into Cold Stone Ice Cream,” Newland said of the longtime Lady Wave assistant coach.
With the win, Greenville improved to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in MVL play. The Lady Wave travels to Fairborn on Friday, April 3rd, to take on the Lady Skyhawks in MVL action.
BOX SCORE:
123 456 7 R H E
1010 12X X 14 15 0 Greenville
000 10X X 1 2 4 Butler
