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First inning blast dooms Warriors’ day

Matt O'Neill

GARDNERVILLE – Incline’s first batter should have been an omen for how the day was to go for the Whittell Warrior softball team Tuesday afternoon.

The Highlanders started the game with a bang, or at least a home run, as Incline beat Whittell 13-0 at Lampe Park.

“We knew going into the game they’d be aggressive at the plate and on the bases,” Warrior manager Lindsay Wines said. “The second pitch was a homer. I knew it was going to one of those days.”



The Warriors were never able to recover from the early blast or get their offense going as Whittell only produced three hits.

Courtney Bowland remained perfect at the plate with her second hit of the season, while Erin Silver and Kathy Kiger also added base hits.



The Warriors ace, Meredith Shaw, battled the Highlanders all day, but surrendered 13 hits, including two homers and a double, as Incline scored in every inning to induce the 10-run rule after five innings.

“After the first inning, two or three girls had watery eyes coming off the field,” Wines said. “(Incline) was that powerful today.”

Shaw’s counterpart in the circle, Melissa Gilbert, had Whittell guessing throughout the whole game, striking out nine and not allowing a runner past second base.

The Highlanders blasted open by scoring three runs in the fourth and four in the fifth.

“This was an eye-opening experience,” Wines said. “Some of these girls thought they could come in here and beat them.

“But we play them three more times and we’ll get them next time.”

The Warriors travel to Tonopah for a doubleheader with the Muckers on Saturday.

IHS 2 2 2 3 4 – 13

WHS 0 0 0 0 0 – 0

HR -Gilbert, (IHS), Hurst (IHS) 2B – Webber (IHS) SB – Watson (WHS), Silver (WHS)


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