RM Rockets blast the Blazers

By Amanda Lee

APRIL 17, BLAZER STADIUM—

The JV softball team suffered a loss for the second day in a row this morning against the Richard Montgomery (RM) Rockets, losing 24-1 and dropping its record to 2-3.

Foiled both at bat and in the field, the Blazers could not counter RM's pitching and aggressive base-running, according to Coach Kristen Werdann. "We fought hard, but they outplayed us," she said.

Expecting a comfortable win, the Blazers were jolted when their first three batters struck out in the first inning. "We're not supposed to lose to RM," said sophomore Sarah Wolk. "This is embarrassing."

Blair was dominated at the plate for the rest of the game by RM's fast, accurate pitching. On the few occasions when Blazers made contact, RM made plays, catching their pop flies and line drives and effectively shut down their advances. Freshman Alison Ruben was the first and only Blazer to score, hitting a home run to deep left field in the bottom of the fifth inning. By then, the Rockets were already up by 23 runs.

The Blazers watched RM bat through their entire batting lineup almost every inning. Scoring most of their runs due to walks and stolen bases instead of hits. RM capitalized on sophomore pitcher Emily May's fatigue from a game against the Damascus Hornets the night before, according to manager Diane Chase. "She pitched the whole game [yesterday], and she was a little off [today]," Chase said.

In the fourth inning, Ruben took May's place as pitcher and freshman Danielle McClay subbed in for freshman Claire Sullivan as catcher, but the new combination did not stop the Rockets' steady stream of players
crossing home plate.

The Blazers next face Blake at home on Tuesday, April 20 at 3:30 pm.