Softball: Junior Chargers whip Wolves

To the Midland Dow junior varsity softball hitters it seemed like Bay City Central was pitching with beach balls Monday. The Chargers manhandled the Wolves 16-1 in the opener, before dismantling them in the nightcap 20-1 to sweep the doubleheader at H.H. Dow High.

“I like how our team is starting to communicate better,” said Dow coach Kim Dankert. “We’re calling out plays and really talking to each other on the field.”

Staci Thornton took the mound for Dow in the first game. She faced 16 batters and struck out seven, while allowing only one hit in registering the win.

In the second game, Samantha Wood took to the hill for the Chargers. She didn’t allow a hit facing 12 batters, striking out five to pick up the win.

“Our pitchers both did an incredible job,” Dankert said. “They threw very few pitches and where both hitting their marks.”

Wood helped her own cause from the plate by going 3-for-3, with a triple. Amanda Larson and Thornton both went 2-for-2, while Kelsey Russell added an inside-the-park home run.

“Our bats really warmed up in the second game,” Dankert said. “It was nice to see the girls being aggressive at the plate.”

The sweep improved Dow’s record to 4-1-1 overall. They return to action Thursday when they travel to Saginaw High to take on the Trojans. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.