FORT MADISON – Fort Madison Head softball coach Jared Rehm said the energy from the Bloodhounds is as good as it’s ever been.
That may have something to do with the ladies winning their last four games, including a 13-1 three-inning win over Danville at Baxter Sports Complex Wednesday night in Fort Madison.
“The energy is better than it’s been in a long time and that helps us a lot,” Rehm said.
Senior Lauryn Helmick echoed the comment.
“I think we’re finally coming together and our dugout is really high. We’re cheering more and everyone is in the game and that helps us score more runs.”
That seems to mesh with what’s been happening on the field. Fort Madison has scored 43 runs in the last four games while allowing just seven.
On Wednesday, Danville jumped out to a 1-0 lead when sophomore Marley Garland singled to center scoring Kaylee Walker. That would be the only run incoming freshman Jordyn Marshall would allow in the win. Marshall allowed just three hits while fanning one and walking one in the win.
“She’s coming along. She’s going to be a good staple for the Bloodhounds for years to come,” Rehm said.
Marshall is now 4-4 on the year with a 6.27 ERA and 23 strikeouts.
Fort Madison started the bottom of the first putting the first three runners on before Brylie Lorence laced a bases-clearing double over the head of right fielder Sadie Smith, who broke in on the ball and had to backtrack to her left. Helmick and Alivia Holmes would both score on the play. Lorence would go all the way to third as Danville tried to get Ruble at home.
Still with no outs, Taylor Johnson got plunked on the leg before Elizabeth Tanner singled, scoring Lorence. Kylie Lumino would work a walk to load the bases again. Danville would get a strikeout and then Olivia Buckner would hit into a fielder’s choice at short scoring Johnson for a 5-1 lead with two outs.
Helmick then tripled in her second at bat of the inning, driving in Tanner and courtesy runner Reilynn Turnbull. Holmes then drove in Helmick for an 8-1 lead. Ruble would walk but Lorence would pop out to second to end the rally.
The Hounds would add two more in the second and three in the third to set the 12-run rule after three innings.
Lorence started the third with a single. Johnson and Tanner walked to load the bases. Johnson and courtesy runner Jaci Fullenkamp would score on passed balls followed by Lumino’s infield ground out RBI to third scoring Tanner to end the game.
Helmick was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Holmes, Lorence, and Tanner all had multi-hit games for Fort Madison. Lorence had three RBIs and a run scored.
Rehm said going from the high-caliber competition in Marion over the weekend to some local schools may have been good for the Lady Hounds.
“We went from playing the No. 4 Class 5A team and a 4A ranked team this weekend and, when you play tough competition, you know how to play at that level. This is just easier for them."
Rehm said he adjusts practice speeds to help with the hitting and, early this week, he slowed the pace to get hitters used to the speed of pitching they see locally as compared to the D1 commit that pitched for Xavier on Saturday in a 10-5 loss.
Post season pairings were released Wednesday afternoon and the Hounds (6-6, 11-16) will play Thursday, July 11 at Joyce Park in Keokuk to start Class 4A Region 5 action. The winner will face Cedar Rapids Xavier on Saturday in Cedar Rapids. The regional championship will be played at the higher seed on July 16.
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