jchambers@oakdaleleader.com
After putting together a solid showing against the Ripon Christian Lady Knights to start off the week on a positive note, the Riverbank High softball team ran into one of the league's toughest squads in a shutout defeat at Escalon.
Riverbank was unable to get anything going in a 7-0 loss to the Lady Cougars on Thursday, April 30, failing to get a runner in scoring position over the game's final three innings.
Lady Bruin hurler Carlye Avey held the potent Escalon attack to just five hits, but the Cougars were able to push across enough offense behind the bat of Caitlin Brooks.
Brooks was the key component for the Cougars, striking out 16 Riverbank batters and going 3-for-3 at the plate with 3 RBI with three doubles.
The game was a frustrating one for Riverbank coach Cassi Ross, who complained to the home plate umpire after an Escalon batter was awarded first base on a hit batsmen call as the ball hit the knob of the bat and apparently also glanced off her hand. In two previous cases earlier in the game, the same thing happened to Bruin batters, but both times it was ruled a foul. When Ross voiced her displeasure, the umpire threatened to throw her out of the game but she didn't give him the chance. She walked off the field, prompting the umpire to issue a call that the game was over then and there. When Ross doubled back and urged him not to penalize her players because she was upset with him, the umpire relented and play resumed.
Not letting the extracurricular issues get to them, host Escalon held Riverbank in check the rest of the way.
Avey, meanwhile, was solid in Riverbank's win over Ripon Christian, surrendering just five hits in the contest with only one extra-base hit.
The Lady Bruins were able to muster up five runs of offense, handing Avey all the support she would need in the 5-3 win. Riverbank will need to reflect back to its victory over the Knights in hopes of closing out the Trans-Valley League season on a high note.
Riverbank will get back on the diamond with a trip to Ripon to take on the Indians before their season ending contest against Hughson on May 7. The Lady Bruins know that they have one of the fiercest units returning for next season, yet the team will still want to culminate the 2009 season with a positive
After putting together a solid showing against the Ripon Christian Lady Knights to start off the week on a positive note, the Riverbank High softball team ran into one of the league's toughest squads in a shutout defeat at Escalon.
Riverbank was unable to get anything going in a 7-0 loss to the Lady Cougars on Thursday, April 30, failing to get a runner in scoring position over the game's final three innings.
Lady Bruin hurler Carlye Avey held the potent Escalon attack to just five hits, but the Cougars were able to push across enough offense behind the bat of Caitlin Brooks.
Brooks was the key component for the Cougars, striking out 16 Riverbank batters and going 3-for-3 at the plate with 3 RBI with three doubles.
The game was a frustrating one for Riverbank coach Cassi Ross, who complained to the home plate umpire after an Escalon batter was awarded first base on a hit batsmen call as the ball hit the knob of the bat and apparently also glanced off her hand. In two previous cases earlier in the game, the same thing happened to Bruin batters, but both times it was ruled a foul. When Ross voiced her displeasure, the umpire threatened to throw her out of the game but she didn't give him the chance. She walked off the field, prompting the umpire to issue a call that the game was over then and there. When Ross doubled back and urged him not to penalize her players because she was upset with him, the umpire relented and play resumed.
Not letting the extracurricular issues get to them, host Escalon held Riverbank in check the rest of the way.
Avey, meanwhile, was solid in Riverbank's win over Ripon Christian, surrendering just five hits in the contest with only one extra-base hit.
The Lady Bruins were able to muster up five runs of offense, handing Avey all the support she would need in the 5-3 win. Riverbank will need to reflect back to its victory over the Knights in hopes of closing out the Trans-Valley League season on a high note.
Riverbank will get back on the diamond with a trip to Ripon to take on the Indians before their season ending contest against Hughson on May 7. The Lady Bruins know that they have one of the fiercest units returning for next season, yet the team will still want to culminate the 2009 season with a positive
