Lady Zs score 13 in 1st inning, trounce Triton

Rensberger homers, J. Field gets 4 hits

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Adalyn Gonzalez Emma Mathias

BOURBON — A high school softball player might only have so many opportunities to get two hits in an inning.

Rochester freshman outfielder Adalyn Gonzalez was able to check that off her bucket list in the first inning of her first game of her high school career. And that was just the start of the Lady Zs’ onslaught as they went on to trounce Triton 21-0 in five innings.

If Gonzalez’s big first inning was not the highlight, then it might have been Jadyn Field getting four hits while making her first start at first base or Aubrey Wilson rapping out three hits and driving in five runs or Bria Rensberger hitting a two-run homer or Emma Mathias and Brailyn Hunter combining for five scoreless innings in the circle.

After over four weeks of practice and having what was supposed to be their season opener against Mishawaka rained out, the reigning Three Rivers Conference and two-time reigning sectional champions were ready to play.

Leadoff hitter Aubrey Miller reached base four times, and Gonzalez went 3 for 5 batting behind her. Gonzalez had a bunt single after Miller walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch.

“It was a good start for us, throwing in some freshmen,” Rochester coach Jim Coleman said. ““So it was good to see them get some extra at-bats in that first inning. But like I told the team, with Miller leading off and Gonzo in that two-hole, those two are going to be our table-setters. … If we can utilize those two at the top with their speed, it’s going to lead to a lot of runs for us.”

Already leading 7-0, Wilson singled to right field to drive two runs, and the ball was booted for an error to allow Gonzalez to score from second. Wilson tried to advance from first to third on the error, and when the throw to try to get her was wild for an error, Wilson came in to score to complete a “Little League grand slam” and make it 11-0.

Field then doubled, and Rensberger lined a two-run shot over the left-center field fence.

As for Rensberger’s pitching, she had a 13-run lead before throwing her first pitch. And then she did not throw a second pitch.

The first pitch was called a ball for being an illegal pitch. Coleman went out and replaced Rensberger with Mathias, who had been warming up behind the dugout as Rochester built their early lead.

Hunter pitched the fourth and fifth. Mathias and Hunter combined for 12 strikeouts.

Coleman said that he is conserving Rensberger, a junior and a first team All-Three Rivers Conference and All-RTC4 pitcher, for conference and state tournament games.

“It gave me an excuse,” Coleman said. “I will be honest with you. … I almost made that change before Bria even threw a pitch. But knowing that she came out and they called it illegal, I wasn’t going to have that in her head after today’s game. And we really wanted to see how Emma Mathias would react along with Brailyn Hunter, and both threw fantastic. I’m excited to see them in the circle. We need to keep Bria out of the circle as much as we can outside out of conference and postseason. Getting some other players this year in the mix in the circle is going to be key for our success.”

The game featured familiar names in unfamiliar spots. Field, last year’s catcher, took over at first base for the graduated Mia Howdeshell. Aubrey Miller, a senior and last year’s left fielder, started in center field for the graduated Darah Strasser.

Coleman said Miller is “accustomed” to playing center field in travel ball.

“Our big area of concern was first base,” Coleman added. “Really didn’t know who was going to fill that role. Jadyn did a great job for us last year behind home plate. But with her leadership and the way she is just a wall on anything on the ground, she has stepped up and turned into a solid option for us at first base.”

Gonzalez started in right field. Hunter played the first three innings in left field. Freshmen Ali Field and Kyleigh Little played third base and designated player, respectively.

Rochester had 14 hits, and they also drew eight walks and were hit by four pitches. They only struck out once. Coleman complimented his young players on their plate patience.

“Even though you look at Kyleigh Little and Gonzo and Ali Field, those kids have played a lot of travel ball,” Coleman said. “So even though they’re coming in as freshmen, they have great plate discipline. For them to understand and being able to contain that excitement and those butterflies is big. From what we’ve seen up to this point, with really everybody on the team has been good. Our plate discipline in practice has been good. For them to see a lot of pitches and make them work and finally get a good pitch to drive is going to be key. So it was good to see.”

Rochester 21, Triton 0 (5 innings)

Rochester (13)50 03 – 21 14 2

Triton 000 00 – 0 2 7

WP – Emma Mathias (3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K)

LP – Eleanor Hernandez (2 IP, 11 H, 18 R, 16 ER, 6 BB, 0 K)

2B – Jadyn Field 2 (RHS), Jada Bules (TRI)

HR – Bria Rensberger (RHS)