Preps

Durant builds up its confidence

DURANT -- Durant put together effective pitching and timely hitting to beat East Bay 3-0 on Thursday and move into sole possession of first place in Class 5A, District 7.

"This was a huge confidence-builder for us," Durant second baseman Kris Beck said. "They had beaten us 1-0 in our first game, and we knew if we were going to go anywhere this season, we had to take this game."

Winning pitcher Krista Olson allowed one hit and left five runners on base, three in the sixth. Perfect through five innings, Olson loaded the bases in the sixth but got Nikky Henderson on a bouncer back to the mound to end the inning.

"I was tiring a little bit toward the end," said Olson, who improved to 4-0.

"But I knew how important this game was, and I really bore down to get through those last two innings."

Durant (10-1) scored in the first when Beck opened with a single, advanced to third on an error and scored on a perfectly placed bunt by Beth Nolan. In the fifth, Durant added two runs when Ashley Fertic drove in one with a triple then scored on a passed ball.

In addition to being the winning pitcher, Olson went 2-for-3 with two singles against the Indiana (7-6).

"This was a big win for us," Durant coach Melissa Sigmon said. "It puts us in first place, and the intensity we showed (Thursday) is what we'll need to win the district. Our mechanics are good, and we must continue to focus on the mental aspect of the game.

"But we're getting there, and (Thursday) was a big boost."

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