Sports - May 2003

Early exit

Lady Mustangs fall in first round of playoffs

By JOHN MARK BROOKS, LTN Staff Writer

DENVER — Sometimes  the journey itself  matters as much as the destination.

After winning two conference crowns, the East Lincoln Lady Mustangs lost to the Enka Sugar Jets  Friday 7-4 ending their softball season in the first round of the 3A state playoffs.

Enka started out quickly as they scored two runs in the first. In the third, the visitors threatened to do more damage.

However, Courtney Ewing made a play on a hard-hit ball to first that ended the inning and prevented any runs.

Defense was the theme again in the fourth as Stephanie Edwards made a fully-extended backhanded grab in left to prevent a run.

Nicole Shoemaker started things off for East in the fourth when right-fielder Whitney Hinson dropped a routine fly ball. Shoemaker advanced to second on the error.

Edwards moved pinch-runner Jamie Manley to third with a single. A Kristin Taffi single scored Manley. The next batter, Jessica Towery, drove in Edwards on a hard hit ground ball.

For the inning the Lady Mustangs scored three, making it 3-2.

The Lady Mustangs had momentum. However, the Sugar Jets quickly answered, scoring two in the top of the fifth to make the score 4-3.

 Enka’s Lindsay Wright opened the top of the sixth with a standup double. Jodi Duncan walked with Hinson up next for the Sugar Jets. Hinson delivered the biggest hit of the game  — a two RBI triple. Hinson, on a throwing error, also scored on the play.

“No one play loses a ball game because you have to look at what got you to that point — but that was a huge hit,” said Lady Mustangs coach Scott Spohler.

With the score 7-3 East Lincoln had one last chance to rally. Stephanie Horne played the role of opportunist as she tripled to start things off. Ewing then flew out driving in Horne.

Eighth batter Brooke Michael did not want to go quietly as she fouled off three pitches in a row before singling.

Pinch-hitter Nicole Hall moved Michael to second. Michael was then thrown out as she attempted to reach third.

Solid defense played a big role particularly the play of Brittany Shetley at second.

“She made a couple of great plays that prevented base hits,” said Spohler.

Spohler was not surprised by his girls’ resilience.

“The girls had the confidence that they could come back and they did. We just came up a little short today,” he said.

The Lady Mustangs have nothing to hang their heads about as they finished the year 17-3.

Spohler was proud of the way his seniors played their last game. Carina Vinzant, Courtney Ewing, Amanda Goodson and Stephanie Edwards all played their last game for the Lady Mustangs Friday.

“Carina has a lot of confidence and throws hard. She’s taking her game to the next level and I think will be successful.”

“No matter where you put Courtney she can play. She makes the game look so easy and is so effortless.”

“Amanda has been a solid player for us four years. She’s got the ability to go to the next level— she’s got desire and skills.”

“Edwards had a monster bat for us this year. She can make ESPN type of catches for you like she did today. She’s a very solid fielder.”

Enka 200 023 0—7 9 2

EL 000 300 1—4 4 2

WP—Amber Banks. LP—Carina Vinzant.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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