GREENVILLE – Greenville’s Lady Wave used a dominant performance in the circle from Lizzie Shaffer and a relentless attack at the plate to defeat Ansonia 12-3 on Friday, giving Hall of Fame coach Jerrod Newland his 600th career win, all with the Lady Wave program.
Shaffer was outstanding in the milestone win, striking out 12 and going the distance while allowing three runs on five hits with one walk. At the plate, Greenville backed her with 17 hits and flawless defense in a complete team effort.
Newland reflected on the significance of the moment after the game, tying the milestone to several unique details surrounding the program.
“Today is 4/11, I have two seniors, No. 4 Lily Brubaker and No. 11 Kendall Cromwell, both four-year players, and love them to death, and today, 4/11, we won our 600th game,” Newland said. “Team 49 plays on 49. It’s just kind of wild.”
The Lady Wave wasted no time taking control, erupting for five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Greenville strung together five straight singles, with Jordyn McMullen, Rielynn Davidson, Kendall Cromwell, Kara Blumenstock, and Lizzie Shaffer all helping set the tone. McMullen delivered the first RBI hit of the day as Greenville surged in front 5-0.
“Hitting the ball really square,” Newland said. “This game we really pounded the ball. Goodness gracious, Lizzie Shaffer went seven RBIs there and we hit the ball square, bunted a couple times, but when we hit like we hit through the lineup – in the last seven to 10 days we have focused on squaring the ball up good.”
Greenville kept the pressure on in the second inning, adding three more runs to push the lead to 8-0. Cromwell and Blumenstock each came through with RBI singles as the Lady Wave continued to capitalize on their hot start.
The hosts added two more runs in the third inning on run-scoring doubles by Shaffer and McMullen, stretching the advantage to 10-0.
Ella Oswalt added another highlight in the fifth inning when she launched a solo home run to center field.
Ansonia avoided the run rule by scratching across three runs late. Lady Tigers coach David Fisherback praised his team’s effort, especially considering the emotional weight they carried into the game.
“Obviously we knew what Greenville has done year after year after year,” Fisherback said. “From our point of view, I have to give the girls credit. We had the tragic and unfortunate fire yesterday. The girls have a lot of connections with that.”
Fisherback also credited Greenville for its all-around performance while noting his team’s resilience.
“Greenville has two outstanding pitchers, and we only got to see one of them, and boy did they hit the ball,” Fisherback said. “We didn’t give up, we were down 10-0, and we were able to scratch out three runs to prevent a run rule. From our point of view, that is a big accomplishment for our girls to get on the board.”
Walker took the loss for Ansonia after allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits in one-third of an inning. Klingshirn worked three and two-thirds innings in relief, giving up four hits and two runs while striking out two and walking none.
Greenville’s offense produced throughout the lineup. McMullen, Blumenstock, and Cromwell each finished with three hits, while Cromwell went 3-for-3 and drove in three runs. Shaffer, Oswalt, and Lily Brubaker each added two hits in the win.
For Ansonia, Abby Klingshirn, Miley Walls, Ava Thatcher, Bre Walker, and Shyann McKenna each recorded one hit. McKenna drove in two runs to lead the Lady Tigers offensively.
Defensively, Greenville was sharp from start to finish, committing no errors.
The milestone win was a fitting one for Newland and the Lady Wave, powered by timely hitting, clean defense, and another standout performance from Shaffer as Greenville continued its strong early-season play.
“Love where we’re at and a great day for softball,” Newland said. “On to 700, I guess.”
BOX SCORE:
123 456 7 R H E
000 021 0 3 5 1 Ansonia
532 011 X 12 17 0 Greenville
