Senior trio leads Lakewood softball into LCL-Cardinal contention
JOHNSTOWN — The Lakewood softball team’s offensive philosophy remained simple Thursday.
The Lancers simply played follow the leader. Rachel Crist’s three hits out of the leadoff spot ignited a 16-hit onslaught in a 10-6 victory at Johnstown in Licking County League-Cardinal Division play.
“I have a lot of trust the girls behind me are going to hit me in as long as I get on base. I am just trying to hit the ball,” said Crist, who led an attack that featured multiple hits from each of the first six hitters in the order, including three home runs.
Lakewood (9-3, 5-2) gained revenge for an 18-4 loss to Johnstown (3-8, 1-5) on April 1. The Lancers also took a half-game lead in the Cardinal Division on Heath (9-5, 4-2) and Newark Catholic (10-5, 5-3).
“We got closer as a team, so there is much more cheering each other on even when we do mess up,” Crist added. “It’s the positive energy. One person would hit, and it just keeps feeding on.”
Crist’s two-out RBI single in the top of the second preceded sophomore Cora Redman’s three-run home run. Senior Becca Streets hit a two-out three-run home run in the fourth, and senior Dani Stewart added a solo home run in the seventh.
“This season’s been a little bit different. I think I have really become a senior,” said Streets, who previously was robbed of a hit in the first by center fielder Jenna Hochanadel on a sinking liner. “When so many people in front of you hit the ball, it’s a chain reaction.”
Sophomore Addy Zak, junior Brooklynne Siegel and senior Maddie Holbrook each had an RBI hit for Johnstown in a four-run fifth inning as the Johnnies cut a 9-1 deficit in half to 9-5. The Johnnies being unable to escape innings ultimately was their downfall.
“Our pitchers have to do a better job of hitting their spots. The competition we are facing in the LCL, if we miss a pitch, they are going to make us pay,” Johnstown coach Mike Justice said. “Defensively, we have to be focused. We have to be ready for the ball every play.”
Lakewood’s Stewart and freshman Jaycie Montie matched Crist with three hits. Redman added a long RBI single off the wall in center that deflected off the glove of a leaping Hochanadel.
Streets did not allow any thievery on her second vicious line drive of the day. She lifted it well over the fence in left field.
“It’s different because you know your teammates are going to pick you up,” Streets said. “Even though I got out (the first at-bat), you know (Montie) behind me is going to hit the ball because she is just that good.”
Zak’s three hits led the Johnnies, and Siegel and Holbrook added a pair apiece. They put two runners on in the seventh, but Stewart recorded two of her eight strikeouts to end it.
Senior Ava Peterman struck out five and allowed two earned runs in 3 1/3 innings of relief for the Johnnies, who play Hilliard Bradley on Friday and Poland Seminary and Strasburg on Saturday in a showcase at Ontario. It continues a challenging schedule for a program still replacing the four graduated seniors, who led the Johnnies to the Division III state tournament last spring.
“Something we have struggled with all season is we can’t keep giving up double-digit runs,” Justice said. “That’s putting a lot of pressure on our offense. Our offense did well enough tonight to win.”
Lakewood has the weekend off before resuming its pursuit of a Cardinal title. The Lancers beat Heath in the teams’ first meeting earlier this week, and they visit NC on Monday with an opportunity to sweep that season series.
“It’s just been getting around each other and bringing the freshman up and getting them confident with their level of play. The senior leadership has been absolutely phenomenal,” Lakewood coach Jon Griffith said. “The (Cardinal) is wide open this year. All of us are pretty similar. If you can get momentum in games, you can put up some runs.”
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Seniors lead Lakewood softball into Licking County League contention
