GREENVILLE – The Greenville Lady Wave wasted little time taking control Wednesday, blasting three first-inning home runs on the way to a 15-0 five-inning Miami Valley League win over the Stebbins Lady Indians at Lady Wave Stadium.
Stebbins came to Greenville leading the MVL Valley Division with a 6-4 overall record, but the Lady Wave quickly showed why they have been one of the area’s most dangerous teams, erupting for nine runs in the opening inning and never looking back.
“Great day for Lady Wave Softball and a great day for the kids,” said Greenville coach Jerrod Newland. “Just excited about the girls.”
Greenville’s first inning was fueled by power, patience, and pressure.
Lizzie Shaffer got the long-ball parade started with a two-run homer to center. Freshman Jordyn McMullen followed with a solo shot to left, and later in the inning, Ella Oswalt launched a two-run homer to left. Lily Brubaker added a two-run single, while a dropped third strike and a Stebbins error also brought runs home as the Lady Wave stormed to a 9-0 lead after one inning.
Oswalt was equally sharp in the circle.
The sophomore struck out the side in the top of the second inning, giving her five strikeouts through the first two frames. She continued to dominate in the third, retiring Stebbins on two strikeouts and a ground ball to shortstop Leah Force to finish her night with three no-hit innings aside from one hit allowed.
Oswalt earned the win after giving up one hit and no runs over three innings, striking out seven without a walk.
Greenville kept adding on in the second.
McMullen opened the inning with a double to left, and Kendall Cromwell followed later with a two-run double. Rylie Pfledderer also delivered a run-scoring single as the Lady Wave pushed the advantage to 12-0.
With the game well in hand, Greenville made wholesale changes to the lineup, with varsity assistant coach Justine Shilt filling in while Coach Newland stepped away to watch his son, Drew Newland, make his first varsity start for the Greenville baseball team.
“Today, right before the game started, I came over to watch Drew pitch a little bit and his first varsity start,” said Coach Newland. “Missed four innings the other day and excited for him, but the softball team was in good hands today and proud of them.”
Greenville added two more runs in the third inning when Carlee Yundt singled to center and Callie Zwiesler doubled down the right field line, each driving in a run.
The Lady Wave plated their final run in the fourth. Cloe Shuttleworth led off with a walk, Riley Thomas doubled to center, Elle Kayler walked on four pitches, and Hallee Fourman singled to left to make it 15-0.
Shaffer came on to close things out in the fifth and struck out the side, sealing the run-rule victory for Greenville.
In the field on the defensive side, the Lady Wave played error-free ball.
Greenville pounded out 15 hits in the win. McMullen, Cromwell, and Shaffer each had two hits. Brubaker, Oswalt, Cromwell, and Shaffer each drove in two runs.
“Just proud of the kids, get another win,” Newland said. “Three home runs in the first, kids hitting the ball hard, and the pitchers threw well … it was different watching it on GameChanger, that’s for sure.”
The Lady Wave now turns its attention to a busy Saturday at home, when it will host Ansonia and Badin at Lady Wave Stadium. The JV doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
“Excited for the kids,” said Coach Newland. “Come back Saturday for Ansonia and Badin, JV double header also starting at 11 a.m., so it will be a fun day at the stadium.”
Newland said the day will also include a celebration away from the field.
“Picnic… Bob and Naomi Runk turn 90, they were born on the same day, so Bob and Naomi are having a 90th birthday party, and it’s Mr. Stump’s day too, so the three of them, a little shindig, cookout, and playing some softball, and hopefully winning some games and getting ready for next week going into the Tipp series,” Newland added.
BOX SCORE:
123 456 7 R H E
000 00X X 0 1 3 Stebbins
932 1XX X 15 15 0 Greenville
