Wilson is back on track

By Robert Sisk

Published: May 1, 2008

GREENVILLE — A day after suffering its first loss of the season Wilson Memorial rebounded to take down one of their biggest rivals on the diamond in dominating fashion.
The Green Hornets picked up a 15-0 mercy-rule-shortened win against Riverheads on the road Thursday, putting their 2-1 loss to Luray on Wednesday behind them.
“We came back today and played like we knew we could play and didn’t let yesterday bring us down,” said Wilson coach Maura Stout.
Entering the game Stout wanted her team to keep its head up and play with confidence and avoid falling deeper in the ditch during the race for the Shenandoah District title.
“It’s nice when it comes together,” she said. “I wished it would have happened yesterday, but you can’t always time that. It’s nice to see it when everything comes together.”
Wilson pitching ace Summer Ramsey was on the mound again for the Green Hornets with her long-time catcher Leah Pagett behind the plate. The two commanded the defense to allow only one-hit, and keep the Gladiators from capitalizing on a pair of errors by the squad.
Pagett was also a key to the Wilson offense that put together 12 hits. The Wilson catcher reached base on an error, hit two doubles and blasted a solo home run (3) in the fourth inning, leading the Hornet effort.
“It wasn’t just me, the whole team was hitting,” Pagett said. “After the win it was a big confidence booster because we knew we had to win and not stay in a rut.”
Despite falling 15-0 the Riverheads pitching staff did their part on the mound. Gladiator starter Haley Kirschnick struck out five in three one-third innings of work and reliever Amanda Miller sat down two.
“I think our pitchers did a great job,” said Riverheads coach Jenn Colvin. “They put their pitches up there like they were supposed to but Wilson is a good hitting team. The more they hit the ball the more chances there are for errors.”
Wilson started the night off with a Ramsey double followed by a Kayla Blair walk to put two Hornets on. Pagett plated both of them with her first double, to put the Hornets up 2-0.
Despite loading the bases in the second, Wilson was unable to score, but laid it on thick in the third with Serna Rohrbaugh and Sammy Parker, each scoring on a Ramsey double and Debbie Groves crossing the plate on a passed ball.
The Green Hornets scored three runs in each of the next three innings to pick up the mercy rule win in six innings.
With the season nearing its end, the Gladiators want to finish up strong and try to get on a hot streak.
“I do know this these girls won’t give up,” Colvin said.
Ramsey finished 4-for-5 with a double and two RBI.
The Green Hornets get a long weekend before they take on Buffalo Gap on Tuesday. Riverheads will be back in action on Monday with a road trip to Stonewall.