Otters make finals
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Otter Valley’s Michaela Harrington (10) slides safely into third base in the Otters’ 9-1 victory over Vergennes in Tuesday’s Division II semifinal softball game in Brandon. Commodores third baseman Sam Flynn takes the throw. CASSANDRA HOTALING / RUTLAND HERALD |
Toolbox
By Dennis Jensen Staff Writer - Published: June 10, 2009
BRANDON — Both Ashleys — or is it Ashlees? — had their mojos working Tuesday.
Otter Valley's Ashley Sanderson tossed a two-hitter and struck out 10 and Ashlee Bird smacked a triple, and a double as Otter Valley made its way into the Division II softball championship game with a 9-1 win over Vergennes Tuesday.
Michaela Harrington had a two-RBI single and scored twice and Jenelle Gallipo had a triple for the No. 1, 17-1 Otters.
Sanderson, a senior right-hander, faced just three batters over the limit, retiring the Vergennes side in order in the first, second, third, sixth and seventh innings. She walked one batter.
"I think I get control when my team gets some runs," she said.
The Otters held a 3-1 lead when they came to bat in the fourth, then put the game away, plating four runs on three hits
Sanderson said the defense came up big behind her and that the Otter bats came alive against the Commodores.
"I stand at the gate (near the backstop), watching who scores, giving them high fives and hugs and telling them I love them. They're my family," she said.
Katie Curler took the loss for the No. 13. 5-14 Commodores, who clawed their way into this semifinals game by beating the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds. Curler, a lefty, gave up eight hits, struck out five and walked four over six innings.
Otter Valley plated two runs in the first, using three consecutive bunts to move the leadoff batter around to score. Sam Hansen led off with a bunt, went to second on Harrington's sac-bunt, stole third and scored on a sac-bunt by Julie Ketcham. Ketcham scored on a dropped third strike.
The Otters made it 3-0 in the second. Amanda Sanderson reached on a bloop single to left and Jenna Pelkey came in as a pinch runner. Pelkey went to second on an error and scored on Hanson's groundout.
Vergennes plated a run in the top of the fourth to make it a two-run game. Marge Kerschar beat out an infield grounder, went to second on an error, reached third on a groundout and scored on Sam Flynn's sac-fly to center.
The big blow against the Commodores came in the bottom of the frame as eight Otters came to the plate.
Bird smacked an RBI double to right center and Kristy Pinkham singled to center, but the big hit of the inning came from Harrington, who drove in two runs on an infield single. The Otters also took full advantage of a walk and a dropped third strike.
Bird said she was disappointed in her previous performance, against Randolph, when she struck out three times.
"In this game, I really had my head in there and focused," she said.
The Otters plated two more runs in sixth.
Otter Valley coach Pattie Candon said she was impressed with how well her girls ran the bases against Vergennes.
"When they get on base and use their noggins, they can make things happen," she said. "It's pure instinct for some of the kids."
Candon, who led the Otters to their last state title in 1995, said that her ace kept the Commodores guessing at the plate.
"It was another big performance by Ashley Sanderson," she said. "When her mojo is on, it's on."
dennis.jensen@rutlandherald.com
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