Plymouth's softball team hammers pair of opponents
By ED WRIGHT
OBSERVER Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH 4, W.L. Western 2: The heart of the Plymouth softball team's batting order was pumping at an exceptionally strong rate during the first inning of Friday afternoon's pivotal WLAA Western Division contest at Walled Lake Western.
The Wildcats' No. 3 and 4 hitters - sophomores Stacey Klonowski and Amanda Burnard both slugged first-inning home runs to give the winners a lead they would never relinquish in their 4-2 victory.
The triumph improved Plymouth's record to 7-4 overall and 2-2 in the division. The Warriors are also 2-2.
"Stacey and Amanda complement each other well," said Plymouth coach Val Canfield. "They provide us with a lot of power in the middle of our line-up."
Senior right-handed pitcher Meghan Patterson turned in a stellar effort on the mound for Plymouth, tossing a complete-game seven-hitter. Patterson struck out two Warriors.
Western cut its deficit to 3-1 in the third with a single run, however, the 'Cats regained a three-run edge in the top of the fourth when Gina Giordano knocked in Beth Heldmeyer, who had opened the inning with a single.
Western notched its final run in the bottom of the fourth.
PLYMOUTH 7, W.L. NORTHERN 1: On Wednesday at Plymouth, the Wildcats won thanks to a strong debut by freshman pitcher Lauren Smith and an incredible offensive display by Klonowski.
After giving up a first-inning run, Smith was brilliant the rest of the way, limiting the Knights to just four hits and one walk while striking out six.
"I was really impressed with the movement on her pitches," Canfield said of Smith. "She did a great job of keeping the batters off balance and she was very consistent throughout the game."
Klonowski registered a once-in-a-blue-moon achievement as she hit for the cycle, ripping a home run, triple, double and single. The sophomore shortstop, who already has eight taters this season, contributed four RBI.
Other Wildcats who swung hot bats were Erin Rodes (2-for-4, double), Amy Bondy (2-for-3, stolen base) and Jessica Cicirelli, who went 2-for-4.
Plymouth outhit their visitors, 13-4.
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