Hitting galore by Bastrop in first bi-district softball game victory

Bastrop pitcher Ella Griesenbeck allowed only two hits in a complete game win over Hendrickson on Thursday

By Jim Irish

Photos by Chris White

Hendrickson grabbed an early lead 2-0 over Bastrop on a first-inning home run by Isabella Gonzales.

The Bears, however, didn’t flinch.

"... They have a lot of solid veterans over there, and they do a good job with two strikes, putting the ball in play, finding the gaps."

-- Hendrickson coach Brett Gola

They scored three runs in the bottom of the first, four in the second, two in the third, and three in the fourth to win the bi-district opener 14-2 at home on Thursday. The game was shortened after the top of the fifth because of the 10-run rule.

Lanie Coy blasts a home run to right center

Either Mollie Goertz or Ella Griesenbeack, who went the distance on Thursday, is Bastrop’s likely starter in Game Two at Hendrickson at 6 p.m. today. Hendrickson coach Brett Gola said Kara Luongo will start.

Bastrop, 18-7-2 overall, proved that it could put the ball in play with 14 hits. Lanie Coy, Ella Griesenbeck, and Bailey Merritt, the first three in the batting order, each had three hits.

"(Bastrop) is a good hitting ball club,” Gola said. "They have a lot of veteran leaders over there, and they do a good job with two strikes, putting the ball in play, finding the gaps.”

Bryleigh Fawcett, the cleanup hitter, had one hit but four runs scored and three RBI.

"Bottom line, they've been working hard all season. I have four girls who are hitting."

-- Bastrop coach Teresa Morgan

"Bottom line, they’ve been working hard all season,” Bastrop coach Teresa Morgan said. "I have four girls who are hitting.”

Actually, eight of nine starters had at least one hit.

Laicey Sullivent makes one of six putouts in game

Leadoff hitter Coy displayed power, slamming a solo home run to right center in the fourth inning.

"She is our leadoff hitter for a reason,” Morgan said. “She sees the ball really well, and she’s productive."

Morgan was impressed with everyone’s performance.

"These girls are in the weight room two days a week,” she said. They put in the work. It’s great for me to see that pay off for them.”

Ella Griesenbeck, the starting pitcher, was virtually unhittable after allowing the first inning home run. She retired the next 10 consecutive batters. She had only two strikeouts and walked two. 

Second baseman Jada Canada throws to first

Hendrickson, 13-11-1, hit the ball but at one of Bastrop’s fielders. Center fielder Laicey Sullivent was always in the right spot and made six putouts. Right fielder Bryleigh Fawcett dove to catch a sinking ball in the fourth inning.

Hendrickson finished with only two hits and committed six errors.

”We just came out flat after the first inning,” Gola said. “We didn’t get some early calls (from the home plate umpire). We got behind the eight ball. They had two walks and a hit by pitcher. That put us in a tough situation.”

The loss, Gola said, “kinda stings,” but he said his squad would rally on Friday.

"We're better than that. That's not Hendrickson softball."

-- Gola

”We’re better than that,” he said. “That’s not Hendrickson softball. We’re gonna get after it. We shall take care of business tomorrow.”

If a Saturday game is needed, it will be played at Bastrop at 11 a.m.

Jim Irish is a freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas